Issue - meetings

The Bereavement Services Manager presented a report to the committee updating the members on the impact of COVID-19 on the Chesterfield and District Crematorium. The committee was given a summary of the number of excess cremations compared to the five year average, that had been carried out over the last year. A total of 424 excess cremations had been carried out since the beginning of the pandemic.

The decision taken in February to adjust service times t increase capacity proved to be the correct one and waiting times were kept to an acceptable level. Numbers permitted in chapel had increased from 30 to 38 mourners and witnesses to strewings of cremated remains had increased from 6 to 15.

The legislation that required the crematorium to remain closed outside of service times had been revoked but the Bereavement Services Manager had taken the decision not to reopen at this time to maintain the safety of staff and visitors. Most staff had received their second dose of the vaccine and were participating in Community Testing.

Additional cleaning and free web-casting service would continue and be reviewed in June. The Bereavement Services Manager highlighted that the second wave coincided with the typically most challenging months of the year but that staff had coped well and were now being encouraged to take their leave and make use of support services where needed. The committee agreed that the whole team had performed well and should be thanked for their efforts.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the report be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION –

1.   To inform members on the current situation at the

Crematorium, the changes from 17th May 2021 and for

reassurance that services continue to be delivered in a Covid

Secure manner