Shropshire Star

Fury at scandal-hit Shrewsbury crematorium event

An open day at a crematorium which is at the heart of a missing ashes scandal will take place again next year.

Published

An inaugural open day, which took place over the weekend at Shrewsbury Crematorium, prompted complaints as the site is soon to become the subject to an independent investigation concerning the missing ashes of children.

Grieving families who have never had ashes returned to them branded the event "disgusting" but organisers insisted it was well attended.

The open day was run by Co-operative Funeralcare, who said they wanted to take the taboo out of death and also inform visitors of what happens behind the scenes as well as raise money for charity.

It was said to have been attended by dozens of people, and there are plans for it to become a regular fixture.

The Prior family from Monkmoor lost their two-year-old son, Lewis, when he died of organ failure while waiting for a heart transplant, and were told they would not be able to have his ashes.

Mrs Prior said the open day was completely unacceptable.

Posting on a Shrewsbury Facebook page, she said: "Shame they didn't put as much effort into answering questions about my son's ashes as they did their open day."

Town crier Martin Wood also attended the open day on Saturday.

He said: "I have to admit that I found it very fascinating as they hid nothing from you and it was done very matter-of-fact.

"At least it dispelled a lot of myths about the whole system."

Lindsay Colbeck, a spokeswoman for Co-op said: "The open day we held at our crematorium in Shrewsbury was attended by more than 45 people from the local community and we are really pleased that so many people came along on the day."

She added: "We often hold open days at our crematoria and funeral homes, as a way breaking down some of the traditional barriers that make it difficult for people to talk about funerals.

"The families who attended told us that they found it really helpful as it gave them the opportunity to ask questions and talk to staff about how a crematorium operates.

"The open day included displays of funeral vehicles including hearses, cream teas in aid of the Severn Hospice, and stalls by local charities.

"We hope to organise a similar event next year."

Shrewsbury Crematorium is currently at the heart of an investigation, where as many as 30 families are missing ashes belonging to their children.

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