Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Purpose of the Report

      The purpose of this report is to provide information to the Parks and Leisure Committee regarding the review of the charges agreed by the May 2009 Parks and Leisure Committee, with specific reference to the scattering of cremated remains at Shankill Graveyard.

Relevant Background Information

      The Committee may be aware that memorialisation is the term used to describe a scheme whereby families can purchase a type of commemoration after the death of a loved one.  Some types of memorialisation can include the provision for the disposition of cremated remains within the memorial.

      Representatives from the Shankill area of the City had approached the Parks and Cemeteries Service in 2008 with the idea of developing a cremated remains memorialisation area within Shankill Graveyard.  Officers from the Parks and Cemeteries Service have met with the representatives, had site visits to Shankill Graveyard and discussed their requirements.

      It was concluded at a meeting between officers and representatives in April 2009 that the Memorial Stone Book option currently on order for the City of Belfast Crematorium (which was agreed at the June 2008 Parks and Leisure Committee) was the favoured form of memorialisation.  The Memorial Stone Book contains 208 plaques which can then be engraved.

      It was agreed at the May 2009 Parks and Leisure Committee that a Memorial Stone Book be purchased and erected in Shankill Graveyard.  An area beside the Shankill Memorial Stone Book site was to be made available for the scattering of cremated remains.  Burying cremated remains was also considered at Shankill, but then disregarded because this would take up valuable space and the designated area for the cremated remains would soon be full. With scattering there is no limit to the numbers of cremated remains that can be scattered on the designated grassed area.

      It was further agreed at the May 2009 Parks and Leisure committee meeting that Belfast City Council introduce to the public the following stated charges in relation to Shankill Graveyard:

·         scattering in the Garden of Remembrance: £69 (increased to £72 from 1 April 2010

·         scattering in the Garden of Remembrance and purchase of a memorial stone book tablet with engraving: £250

Key Issues

      The Memorial Stone Book for Shankill Graveyard is at the supplier’s premises in Carlisle, England and is due to arrive on site in April 2010.  The foundation is currently in place.  Landscaping has taken place around the Memorial Stone Book site and an area has been laid out in turf on which cremated remains can be scattered.

      Currently the price for cremation of a person at the City of Belfast Crematorium INCLUDES the scattering or burying of the cremated remains in the adjoining Garden of Remembrance.  Therefore if a member of the public chooses to scatter remains in the Garden of Remembrance at the City of Belfast Crematorium there would be no additional charge.

      However, if a person wants to scatter the cremated remains of a loved one at Shankill Graveyard, who had been cremated at the City of Belfast Crematorium, currently they would incur an additional charge of £72 as previously agreed.

      A fee is currently charged for the scattering of cremated remains at Roselawn which are not from City of Belfast crematorium.  This is currently £72.

      Having reviewed the costs involved it is now considered that an additional fee of £72.00 to scatter the cremated remains from the City of Belfast Crematorium in Shankill Graveyard is excessive and that a more appropriate fee would be £25.00 to cover the cost of a member of staff being available to carry out this service.

Resource Implications

      Financial

      There would be an income of £25.00 per scattering of cremated remains to cover the cost of a member of staff being available to carry out the service.

      Human Resources

      There are no Human Resource implications other than having a member of staff available when required, this would be met by the fee of £25.

      Assets

      None.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Committee approve that the current charge of £69.00 for scattering of ashes from City of Belfast Crematorium in Shankill Graveyard be reduced to £25.00.

      It is also recommended that Committee approve the fee for scattering of cremated remains at Shankill Graveyard, from any other crematoria, is the same as charged in City of Belfast Crematorium scale of charges, (£72.00).”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.