The parents of a 17-year-old boy who took his own life are locked in a High Court dispute over whether his remains should be buried or cremated. Gabrielle Barbus, a budding photographer and keen goalkeeper, died on 30 December 2025 after struggling with mental health issues. His body has remained unburied due to a religious disagreement between his estranged parents.
His father, Stefan Barbus, adheres to an orthodox branch of Christianity, which dictates that burial is essential for the soul's salvation. His mother, Georgia Opritescu, holds no religious beliefs and wishes for her son to be cremated, with his ashes scattered in the Devon countryside to 'return him to nature'. The couple separated in 2010 and divorced three years later.
The dispute escalated in February when Mr Barbus secured an injunction preventing Ms Opritescu from disposing of Gabrielle's body. He obtained the order after learning that she had been granted letters of administration without his knowledge, which would have allowed the coroner to release the body to her alone.
At the hearing, Mr Barbus told the court: 'The reason why it is so important, the burial, is that he was baptised Christian orthodox. A burial respects the sanctity of the human body and soul and it is my belief that we will all one day be resurrected. That is why cremation is not acceptable as it destroys the body and is irreversible.' His barrister, James Poole, added that Mr Barbus believes 'what is at stake is Gabrielle's soul'.
Ms Opritescu, however, said her son did not grow up in a religious household and would not want to be 'confined' in a coffin or urn. She told the judge: 'My son Gabrielle and the life he lived would not want to be confined by the ground. It would upset me.' As an alternative, Mr Barbus has suggested that if cremation is ordered, the ashes should be interred so that he and his family can visit and light a candle.
Judge Jonathan Klein must now decide the case, taking into account the wishes of the deceased, the reasonable requirements of the family, and the need for proper respect and decency. The court heard there is no clear indication of Gabrielle's own wishes, such as a will or diary entry. A ruling is expected in due course.
