Cuts take their toll on timing of cremations

COFFINS are due to be stored overnight to prevent cremators in a Yorkshire district having to be repeatedly fired up as council chiefs attempt to reduce carbon emissions and prevent costs escalating.

Harrogate Borough Council has drawn up plans to hold coffins in secure overnight storage after the authority has been faced with heating one of its two cremators at Stonefall Cemetery in the spa town for often only a single cask.

It is thought that the council will be the first in the Yorkshire region to adopt the policy, which falls within national guidelines.

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It is hoped that the move, which is due to be approved tomorrow, will help to make significant savings for the council to help to counter the cuts in Government funding for the public sector.

Harrogate Borough Council has set a budget of more than 28,300 to pay for the annual gas bills at its crematorium.

The new policy is also aimed at reducing the authority's carbon footprint, while cutting maintenance costs if cremators are not used as often. Cremator brick linings have to be replaced every four to five years at a cost of up to 30,000.

The council's head of bereavement services, Patrick Kilburn, stressed that coffins would only be stored overnight with the consent of the deceased's relatives.

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He added: "We realise that this is a very sensitive issue and, of course, we will take on board the wishes of the family. But all local authorities are having to look at ways of cutting costs as well as minimising their impact on the environment."

Harrogate Borough Council oversees an average of 25 cremations every week, although there is traditionally an increase in numbers during the winter months. The new policy, which is due to begin on October 4, is expected to be used mainly during the quietest periods in the spring and summer months.

The policy has been adopted by other local authorities in the country.