A family were left horrified when going to visit the grave of their niece they found a mound of dirt piled on it.
Pictures passed to Blog Preston show the mound near the gravestone and a wooden board just inches from the grave in Preston Cemetery.
The incident comes as Preston City Council is consulting on new cemetery rules.
The family were visiting the grave on Thursday 14 September.
A spokeswoman for the city council said: “We’re really sorry this has been upsetting for the family, however this is a working cemetery. The gardening staff take considerable care when using the board to protect neighbouring graves when conducting a new burial in the most respectful way possible.
“We do try to work efficiently and with the least disruption to cemetery visitors at their most vulnerable time.”