Heather Carson and daughter Nina Campbell wanted to inter the ashes of their late husband and father, Cliff Carson, on the new ashes memorial beam at the Kaitangata Cemetery, but the council said they had to use a spot on the old beam.
The family claimed that area was unsightly, untidy and became very wet when it rained. Access would be restrictive, especially in winter, making it impossible for Mrs Carson to visit her late husband.
The council had stuck to its policy of using up the existing beam before allowing families to inter relatives on the new beam.
However, the matter became complicated when council staff mistakenly allowed two other families to inter their relatives' ashes on the new beam.
The family addressed the full council on Thursday to state their concerns.
Council district assets manager Jules Witt later confirmed the council had agreed to let the family inter Mr Carson's ashes in the new beam.
The remaining spots in the old beam will be turned into a garden, and all ashes interments will be placed on the new beam.
