Cemeteries now closed to the public across Derry council area under new COVID-19 instructions
Life After Loss, which helps people affected by the loss of a baby, says it has been inundated with calls since cemeteries were closed when the lockdown was announced last month.
The public and the Stormont Executive is deeply divided over whether to re-open cemeteries across the North of Ireland.
On Saturday, a British government minister said cemeteries should remain open.
The DUP say that cemeteries here should re-open but Sinn Fein are adamant that they should remain should reasons of social distancing.
People in Derry are also divided, with some saying the cemeteries should re-open while others say they should remain shut and people should adhere to the rules and stay at home except for exercise and essential shopping.
Julie Ann Coll, from the Life After Loos charity, said its staff are receiving “a lot of comments about the cemeteries”.
“A lot of people I know are finding it tough, people depend on going to graveyards,” Ms Coll told BBC Radio Foyle.
“The general feedback I am getting is that many feel like they’re letting their babies down”.
Ms Coll said she knows of one family who has “gone to the extreme” of secretly visiting their daughter’s grave at night.
“My advice is just wait a bit longer, your angels are with you,” Ms Coll says.
Derry City and Strabane District Council say it closed its cemeteries after lockdown rules were introduced by the Stormont Executive.
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