A gravedigger shocked mourners after he was allegedly seen looking at his watch and humming a tune as a devastated family paid their respects at their mum's funeral.
The burial service for Edna Jean Hunt had just ended when her son, Richard, claimed two men in orange workwear waited nearby as the family said their final goodbyes.
He claimed the two men were "chatting away" and one even started to "hum a tune" leaving the family angry and upset, Staffordshire Live reports.
Mr Hunt said: "I resented their presence, which was very close. I felt distressed and intimidated.
"I began to move slowly and reluctantly away from the grave. Without any hint of asking if it was in order, they quickly stepped forward and began to fill in the grave."
Mr Hunt went on to complain to Uttoxeter Town Council which is responsible for Uttoxeter Cemetery. The workers are employed by a contracts team hired by the council to maintain the grounds.
The incident happened in December following the funeral service at St Mary the Virgin Church, in Uttoxeter, for Mrs Hunt who died at the age of 86.
When the family arrived at the graveside they noticed a white flat-bed truck parked in the small parking area near to the opened grave.
Mr Hunt said: "As soon as they had left [some of the mourners], the two workers drove the lorry very close to the mourners stood on the drive. It was very unsettling. I then realised that they were impatiently waiting to fill in mum and dad’s grave.
"I remained looking into the open grave and wanted some privacy to reflect on my parents’ lives.
"Within seconds, the workers had left their vehicle and now stood within six or seven yards of me. I looked up and l could see they were impatient. I felt very uneasy."
He said they were 'chatting as they looked on' and began 'humming a tune' as he looked into his parents' grave, before he left 'extremely distressed.'
In a reply to his complaint Uttoxeter Town Council said the contractors had launched an immediate investigation into the incident and both employees were interviewed about the allegations.
The contractors told Mr Hunt in an email that its employees "are trained and instructed to act sympathetically and respectfully to the occasion and mourners".
It added: "We are surprised to receive a complaint involving these particular two operatives who both have a pleasant disposition, are well respected and highly thought of by colleagues, clients and management alike.
"One of them in particular has been involved in cemetery services for the past 10 years and this is the very first complaint received."
