How much control do we have over the unauthorised use of our names on tombstones? My family has included mine, without consulting me, in an epitaph on my father's tombstone. I resent having loving sentiments for my father attributed to me when in fact I did not love him.
I have met with patronising and dismissive behaviour from every lawyer I have approached to advise me on the best way to get my name off that rock. I've even been told that I must learn to live with it, and that I am spoiled and heartless. Not only has the onus been placed on me to justify not loving my father, but even the lawyer I was referred to by my union as part of the benefits of being a member, refused to talk to me and sent a message to me via his secretary that there was no law on this matter.
I find this incredible and wonder whether there might be some law somewhere or some case that could set a precedent in U.S., Canadian, British, New Zealand or even our own Australian law.
Surely you shouldn't be made to endorse a person or product, just because the ad is on a tombstone! I desperately welcome comments on this.
I have met with patronising and dismissive behaviour from every lawyer I have approached to advise me on the best way to get my name off that rock. I've even been told that I must learn to live with it, and that I am spoiled and heartless. Not only has the onus been placed on me to justify not loving my father, but even the lawyer I was referred to by my union as part of the benefits of being a member, refused to talk to me and sent a message to me via his secretary that there was no law on this matter.
I find this incredible and wonder whether there might be some law somewhere or some case that could set a precedent in U.S., Canadian, British, New Zealand or even our own Australian law.
Surely you shouldn't be made to endorse a person or product, just because the ad is on a tombstone! I desperately welcome comments on this.