EXCLUSIVE by TOM JACKSON A DEVOTED mum who could not bear to be parted from her daughter has laid her to rest in the garden of the family home. Julie Upchurch was 36 when she died in the arms of her fiancé at the house in Wimblington. Mum Carol Upchurch s

EXCLUSIVE by TOM JACKSON

A DEVOTED mum who could not bear to be parted from her daughter has laid her to rest in the garden of the family home.

Julie Upchurch was 36 when she died in the arms of her fiancé at the house in Wimblington.

Mum Carol Upchurch said: "Julie lived here all her life and she was very dedicated to her family. I felt she liked being at home and that I would find peace and comfort by going in my garden and talking to Julie."

Julie was buried in the garden in Parkfield Lane on Friday, after a service at St Peter's Church, Wimblington.

A service at the garden burial, the first in Fenland, was conducted by the Rev Sheila Tooke. The burial location will be recorded on the deeds of the house and on police records.

An inquest was opened and adjourned into the cause of Julie's death, on October 19. It is still being investigated.

Julie's fiancé, Paul Dufour, who also lives at the house, said: "She was a very lovely and caring person."

Mrs Upchurch said: "My husband Peter, son Brian and grandson Simon-John are buried in the churchyard but it's full. We've got one space left in the graveyard and that has been taken by me."

Julie could have been buried in the new cemetery in Doddington Road but her family chose the unusual alternative.

The law allows garden burials, as long as the site is free from drains, lakes or sources of drinking water.

The family will fence off Julie's grave and plan to place a bench and plaque there in her memory. A headstone will be erected later.

Mrs Upchurch, who owns the house, said: "The house will be passed on through future generations from now on so Julie's grave will remain."

Julie was educated at Thomas Eaton School, Wimblington, and Cromwell Community College, Chatteris. She was employed at various factories before helping at the Scope shop in March.

The family is now raising money to buy something for the special care baby unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, where Julie's niece was cared for.