Annual Report 2007-2008

Bereavement Services

Scope of Bereavement Services

• Tameside Bereavement services provide all burial, cremation, exhumation and memorial facilities and we are dedicated to providing the highest possible standards of service.
• We aim to ensure that the entire bereavement experience occurs without error or insensitivity and meets religious, secular, ethnic and cultural needs of the bereaved.
• We aim to ensure all our 8 cemeteries and Crematorium are a safe place for visitors and that all buildings and grounds are kept to a high standard.

2007/08 Workgroup Key Priorities

• Ensure all actions within the Scrutiny Panel Report are completed within specified timescales
• To look into the sale of land adjoining Audenshaw Cemetery where the Minor Works Depot used to be
• To retain The Charter for the Bereaved
• Carry out memorial inspections in accordance with the Key Decision.
• To consult with the public regarding the possibility of introducing Heat Exchangers to the Crematorium to capture excess energy to heat the chapel
• To make the business case for the procurement of mercury abatement at Dukinfield Crematorium.

Main Achievements

• Introduced access to funerals 7 days a week to meet religious or cultural needs
• Achieved Green Flag Status from The Civic Trust for Denton Cemetery
• Introduced CCTV cameras at Ashton Cemetery
• Major footpath repairs were carried out at Hyde and Mottram Cemeteries 
• Developed a DVD for the public which shows all the issues surrounding Bereavement Services and answers the most frequently asked questions.

Revised Procedures for Memorial Inspection Programme

As part of our ongoing programme to protect visitors and from looking at ways to continualy improve the methods being used, in 2005 we introduced the fixing of "temporary support systems". This enabled most unsafe memorials to be supported in an upright position rather than be laid down. Since then and during 2007/08, we have found a new small metal bracket which can be fixed to memorials to keep them in an upright position whilst attempts are then made to contact the Grave Owner

These new brackets are low in cost, meet the safety standard and are less obtrusive.

During the past 12 months, we have continued our inspection programme, with the use of a gantry, of lifting some of the larger memorials that have been laid down previously and sinking them upright in the grave. This makes the appearance of the cemetery more acceptable and enables the maintenance to be carried out more effectively.

Performance against Business Plan Objectives

The Bereavement Services Business Plan for 2007/08 identified 18 separate action plans.

14 of these objectives were carried out. 3 of them were carried forward to the 2008/09 Business Plan and 1 was not met due to lack of resources.

Key Priorities for 2008/09

• To maintain the "Green Flag" award for Denton Cemetery
• Introduce access to funeral services via the Intanet for families with relatives abroad, housebound, in hospital etc
• To implement a heat recovery system at Dukinfield Crematorium following an 82% support from the public
• To modernise the Chapel extension at Dukinfield with new seating and decor and install a plasma screen for the public to view the funeral service
• That the rolling programme of repairs to Cemetery footpaths be continued with work being carried out at Audenshaw Cemetery
• To get planning permission/change of use of land to allow Droylsden Cemetery to be extended
• To install new gates at Dukinfield Crematorium main entrance
• To create a woodland burial area within Denton Cemetery
• Provide additional Street Lighting along the main drive at Dukinfield Crematorium.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Registrar's Office Dukinfield Cemetery and Crematorium Hall Green Road Dukinfield SK16 4EP View local map
0161 330 1901 0161 342 2222 (Emergency Out of Hours)
0161 330 9566