A Margate couple who have been fighting to bury their second son lost to stillbirth next to his brother in Margate cemetery say they are ‘overwhelmed’ after finding out today (March 27) that they will be able to have their boys at rest together.
Chloe Aggett and partner Berke Bilgen have suffered three baby losses, one through miscarriage in 2024 and then tragically baby Luca who was stillborn in May last year and distressingly, the couple’s son Elijah stillborn on March 7.
The couple’s grief was compounded after Thanet council said it could not comply with a request for them to bury Elijah in front of the plot where Luca is laid to rest due to ‘alignment’ reasons.
The couple were told that Elijah would have to be buried seven plots away, leaving Chloe and Berke devastated, with Chloe saying: “So, who will I sit with when I go and visit them because I can’t sit with them both?”
The Isle of Thanet News stepped in to share the couple’s story and contact the council and those who could help. Today Thanet council’s new cemetery manager met the couple to tell them there had been a change of heart.
Chloe said: “I met the new manager at Luca’s grave. She was there when we got there and they are allowing me to have Elijah in front of him.
“I can’t believe it. When she said they were allowing us to have them together I just burst out crying, she was so lovely.
“It means we can finally plan Elijah’s funeral and get a date.
“There has been so much support for us, it was such a shock. Now my boys can be together.”
Former school cleaner Chloe and car wash worker Berke, who have been together for four years, can now make arrangements and grieve in peace.
Thanet council had previously said that it had to allocate plots in sequence to manage space at the cemetery.
‘Exceptional circumstances’
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “Officers from the Cemeteries team met with the family at Margate Cemetery this morning (Friday 27 March 2026). In recognition of the exceptional circumstances and the immense loss experienced by the couple, a plot will be made available close to their son Luca.
“Space at Margate Cemetery is usually allocated in sequence. This is to avoid disturbing other burial plots when we create a new grave. It also helps to appropriately manage the space and ensure as many families as possible, who might sadly require a plot, can be accommodated.
“While it won’t always be possible to accommodate exceptional requests, our staff strive to provide the best possible care and support they can to bereaved families going through incredibly difficult times.”
Well done Thanet Council. Their policy is generally correct but making an exception for humanitarian reasons is very good. Shows the staff are not robots.
No, well done The Isle of Thanet News! TDC wouldn’t have changed their mind without the negative publicity.
Exactly this. Don’t believe for a minute that TDC sat back of their own accord and reflected on their original decision and then changed it. They were totally wrong footed by all the negative publicity caused by whatever jobsworth made the original decision.
Always amazing how quickly slum landlords, giant corporations & petty bureaucrats U-Turn when they get some bad publicity.
At last the correct decision, it’s unfortunate the council had to be forced by terrible publicity to do the right thing.
I am pleased for the family.
Oh I’m do so pleased for the family,big hugs and love to you ,I’m so sorry you have had to go throu this.