Barney The Cemetery Cat, Who Comforted Mourners For 20 Years, Has Died

    RIP, Barney. You were a great comfort to many.

    This is Barney. Barney lived at St. Sampson's Parish Church cemetery on the island of Guernsey off the coast of England.

    But sadly, last week Barney died of old age.

    Facebook: GuernseyPress

    His death led to an outpouring of grief among the church's staff, visitors, and residents of the town.

    Alan Curzon, who is responsible for maintaining the cemetery grounds and digging graves, said Barney's passing was like "losing a child".

    Curzon said people who visited the cemetery had "taken Barney into their hearts".

    When Barney's death was announced in the local press, hundreds of people paid tribute to him and told of the way he had touched their lives.

    "There were many, many people in the town who loved Barney," Curzon said.

    "He wanted for nothing. He had heat pads and hot water bottles. He was a very spoilt and very loved cat and he is going to be really sadly missed."

    Curzon said Barney seemed to know when people required comfort.

    Curzon said Barney had been laid to rest in a special place and a plaque and bench would be placed in the cemetery in tribute to him.