THE friends and family of a man killed in a car crash have been slammed for performing burnouts at his funeral.
A funeral service was held for the 19-year-old at Glenmorus Gardens in Albury on Saturday.
At the end of the service, several cars performed extensive burnouts in the cemetery as the mourners cheered on.
Primary school-aged children were present at the time, and other families were visiting graves.
Several people from Mr Crighton’s funeral filmed the burnouts and later posted them online.
Burnouts had previously been performed at the fatal crash site after the 19-year-old’s death.
Mayor Kevin Mack described the behaviour as “very poor” and said the matter had been referred to police.
“Young people should think and take a lesson away from an unfortunate incident instead of continuing that behaviour on purpose, especially in a place like a crematorium,” he said.
People grieve in different ways and have different approaches to things, but it’s certainly not an appropriate place for a burnout.
- Lester and Sons owner Darren Eddy
“It’s quite reckless behaviour.
“We’re trying to send a message to the community that reckless driving causes accidents and in some cases death.
“Doing that in a cemetery is just a slight on the whole process.”
Lester and Sons owner Darren Eddy said the funeral provider had no idea the burnouts were planned.
“We would never condone that anywhere,” he said. “A cemetery is not an appropriate place.
“We had no idea that was going on.
“People grieve in different ways and have different approaches to things, but it’s certainly not an appropriate place for a burnout.”
Mr Crighton’s aunt, Amy Ashlin, said those involved hadn’t meant any disrespect.
“Burnouts were something Shaun loved,” she said.
“It was a tribute, it wasn’t meant in any way as disrespect, but just a way to say goodbye to Shaun.
“His mother and father had no idea it was planned, it was something the younger ones, his brother and younger friends, thought would be a fitting way to say goodbye.”
