Alan Hattel, 75, had to assure pals he hadn’t popped his clogs after word got round about his plot in the local cemetery.
The retired welder was left reeling after finding out missus Berta, 62 — who he’s been estranged from for 26 years - had secretly bought the joint lair and memorial and had their names etched on it to save their two children money.
Fuming Alan said: “I’ve never said I want to be laid to rest alongside her.
“In fact, don’t even want to be buried — I plan to be cremated.
“We’ve been separated 26 years and there is no animosity but I’m struggling to take it all in.
“I found out through word of mouth. Somebody saw the stone and told me.
“I thought they were winding me up but found out they weren’t taking the mickey when I went up to see it.
“I hadn’t had a phonecall for months. Now I think I know why. It’s causing a lot of disruption because I’ve got to let people know that I’m still alive.”
Alan and Berta’s names are both inscribed on the grave in Forfar’s Newmonthill Cemetery.
It’s understood the stone was placed by his family with the intention of the couple being buried together.
But Alan, who lives nearby, insists Berta and daughters Collette, 33, and Lynn, 31, didn’t run the idea past him.
He said: “I wasn’t happy about seeing my grave and finding out people think I’m dead. It has caused a family rift. People are asking if there was any malice in it but there wasn’t.
“It’s their way of saving money but they didn’t ask if they could put my name on it. If they’d asked me you can imagine what I’d have said.
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