CREMATION & BURIAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2008, NEWCASTLE - 7/8/9 JULY

Folllowing the overwhelming success of the International Cremation & Burial Conference & Exhibition in 2007, the ajor sponsors have decided to repeat the sucessful event by again joining forces to hold the 2008 Joint Conference in the Newcastle Hilton, Gateshead.

For the second year in a row, the major organisations in the UK have come together to sponsor an annual conference in response to requests from delegates and exhibitors alike.

The venue and facilities were much appreciated by those who attended the 2007 conference so it has been decided to use the venue again for 2008 only,but for the convenience of the delegates and exhibitors next year's conference will be held at an earlier date.

The Cremation Society of Great Britain, The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, The Association of Private Crematoria are delighted to announce that they will be joined by The Association of Burial Authorities as co-sponsors of this joint conference which once again demonstrates a desire for like minded organisations to work towards establishing an annual event covering issues common to all.

The Cremation Society of Great Britain was the founder and pioneer of the cremation movement in the United Kingdom. It established the first crematorium in the UK and is a founder member of the International Cremation Federation.

The Association of Private Crematoria respresents 75% of all private crematoria in the UK. Nearly all new crematoria are being established by the private sector.

The Assocation of Burial Authorities was formed in 1993 to fulfill the need for a consumer orientated organisation to co-ordinate the aactivities of burial grounds and provide a tangible link between them and the public.

PHOENIX AWARDS 2008 CEMETERY DESIGN COMPETITION NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES.

Closing date 31st October 2008

Download your entry form here

Sam Weller FCIPR FCB

Sam Weller, founder and chairman of the Association of Burial Authorities, died in London on 12th June, 2006.

Editor, designer, illustrator, author and consumate PR professional, Sam's passing is regarded as a major loss to the burial and funeral community.

More about Sam Weller's work in the death care industry.

Picture by Gwynne Stock

BCAG HARD WORK...

BCAG (the Government's Burial and Cemeteries Advisory Group) has been putting in some hard work since its move from the Department for Constitutional Affairs to the newly created Ministry of Justice. It is hoped to introduce a pilot scheme for re-use of graves during the summer. The coroner's team has introduced "new blood" into the group with people nominated by several original members, including the ABA, to participate in workshops focussed on specific issues.

The issue of safety guidance was not covered in this series of workshops. Since the ICCM refused to be a signatory to the guidance drawn up by the other members of the Memorial Safety Subgroup, Health and Safety Executive and Home Office, the project has been in abeyance. However, February 2008 saw the reconvention of the Memorial Risk Sub-Group. Reports of progress are expected towards the end of the year.

NEW PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The Local Government Ombudsmen have published a Special Report on Memorial Safety in Local Authority Cemeteries available at www.lgo.org.uk/special-reports.htm

EXTENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN CLOSED CHURCHYARDS

THE ABA OPINION that local authorities are not obliged to inspect nor make safe memorials in closed churchyards has been welcomed by many authorities, but with less enthusiasm by some that have already undertaken the task on the basis of conflicting advice.

What has to be done about memorial safety in closed churchyards is set out in articles by ABA chairman Sam Weller in the winter editions of Zurich Municipal's health and safety bulletin and in ABAinfo.

OFF THE ABA HELPLINE

Jack Sills of I.M.I (Independent Memorial Inspections) asks: In a closed churchyard maintained by a Local Authority, who has ultimate control? If I am employed by the Authority to undertake an inspection but then told by a church officer to stop the inspection, who’s instruction do I follow?

ABA answers: Since maintenance of a closed churchyard does not include a duty to make memorials safe, there is no obligation to test. If therefore, the church authorities do not want their memorials tested, they can order them not to be tested. (We assume that by the word "inspection" you mean "testing").

Of course if you suspect that a memorial is unsafe but you are not allowed to test it, you would be entitled to refuse to do maintenance work within the area of the possible danger round the memorial until the church had satisfied you that the memorial was not dangerous. No local authority should order its employees to work within an area of danger in a churchyard unless precautions can be taken to ensure their safety.

BACK TO TOP

Sun through the stones at Kensal Green Cemetery. Photograph by Robert Stephenson.