Public Consultation on Future Changes to the Cemetery and Cremation Service in Reading
- Public consultation on a series of future changes to cemetery and crematorium services launched today
- Proposed improvements include increasing operating hours and better access
A PUBLIC consultation on a series of proposed future changes to the cemetery and crematorium service in Reading has been launched today (28 June).
Reading Borough Council signed up to the Charter for Bereaved over a decade ago and wants to ensure a revised set of Cemetery and Crematorium regulations cater for the needs of all sections of the community, whilst at the same time balancing the need to maximise burial space available, in the context of a national shortage of plots.
The current set of Cemetery & Crematorium Regulations was last updated in 2011. Following a review of the services offered to the public, the Council is now consulting on a refreshed draft, with the intention of introducing a consistent, inclusive and fair service, that families and individuals will work to in future years.
Among the improvements being proposed for the service are increasing operating hours, to include Saturday all year around and a late evening on a Thursday in the summer months, the introduction of a new grave type and improvements on access in new burial areas.
Once agreed, the new regulations would apply to Henley Road Cemetery, Reading Cemetery and Caversham Cemetery only, as well as Reading Crematorium and Gardens of Remembrance based at Henley Road Cemetery.
A public consultation website has been launched today at https://consult.reading.gov.uk/css/cemetery-services-consultation where people can access a questionnaire to fill in. Questions focus on four main topics which are:
- The Cemetery Rules and Regulations
- The grave types / memorial options available
- Opening hours and resources
- Accessibility
As part of a detailed consultation process, the Council is keen to hear from all communities in the Borough that are affected, or may be affected by the proposals in the future. A consultation newsletter will be sent to all grave owners the Council holds an email address for, and the Council will promote the consultation directly with funeral directors, religious and faith groups in Reading, the Access and Disabilities Working group and its own cemetery and bereavement support services staff for input. Consultation notices will also be placed in the grounds of the three cemeteries for regular visitors.
The consultation opened today and runs for a period of 45 days until 12 August, which is the final date for public comments. All feedback received will help the Council finalise its proposals ahead of adoption in this autumn.
Ruth McEwan, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Corporate and Consumer Services, said:
“It is now over 10 years since the Council last reviewed regulations relating to its cemeteries and cremation service and now is the right time to refresh those regulations, which also follows recent feedback from communities in Reading.
“It is really important that this service should be shaped by the needs of users and our communities, which is why we are today launching a comprehensive public consultation exercise to find out what matters to individuals and families, and how they can work with the Council to make improvements at Henley Road Cemetery, Reading Cemetery and Caversham Cemetery, which will benefit everybody in the long term.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to try and find the time to feedback, which will help the Council design how the service will operate in the future.”
Cemetery and Crematorium Rules and Regulations are a legal requirement for Local Authorities that manage cemeteries.
Changes to the regulations will have longer term implications for the longevity of Henley Road Cemetery as a burial ground for the community. There is a national shortage of burial land and Henley Road Cemetery is the only landholding the Council currently has that is suitable for burials. A report to the Council’s Policy Committee in the autumn will consider consultation results ahead of introducing a refreshed set of regulations, as well as options for increasing burial capacity for future years.
The public consultation launched today was approved at a recent meeting of the Council’s Policy Committee on June 14th: https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/documents/s17336/Cemetery%20Policies.pdf