Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to the last report of the evening, presented by the Commercial, Cultural and Leisure Development Manager, regarding a review of the direct cremation fee at Lea Fields Crematorium. Members heard that, due to competitor analysis, and the increased presence of nationally based direct cremation services, it had been necessary to revisit the fees charged for direct cremation options at a local level.

Members engaged in significant discussion regarding the upward trend of direct cremation services, citing the impact of the covid pandemic, when traditional funeral services had not been permitted, alongside the cost of living crisis, and the fact that people now saw direct cremations as an acceptable alternative to traditional funerals.

In response to questions regarding the longer term strategy for the crematorium, it was explained that, whilst the work on the longer term view was already underway, it was necessary to make short-term immediate changes.

Members were accepting of the need to review the fee, acknowledging this would be recommended to Full Council for approval. There followed further discussion regarding the media coverage of direct cremation services, the approaches used by national providers in comparison to local providers, and the desire for Lea fields Crematorium to be the local choice for local people.

Having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that the proposed Direct Cremation fee of £400 and termination of the Funeral Directors Incentive Scheme be RECOMMENDED to Full Council for approval and inclusion within the 2026/2027 Revenue Budget.