Church leaders react to controversial Poole Crematorium proposals

Under the latest proposals, it is unlikely to be back in use again for at least three or four years – but it could be more.

BCP Council remains reluctant to be tied to new cremators at the Gravel Hill site until there is more information on the technology available, although it says it is committed to re-opening cremation services at Poole ‘as soon as possible.’

In response to the proposals, we have received letters from faith leaders calling for the council to rethink.

'Unacceptable'

BCP Council Cabinet and its Scrutiny Committee propose delaying any decision on a cremator in Poole until at least 2025/2026.

There is a need for cremator in Poole now. If not, there is a risk that Poole Crematorium will lose business permanently.

It has already been closed for 2.5 years. To delay a decision for another 3 years is unacceptable.

There will then have to be additional time taken for the decision to be implemented. So it could be out of action for 6.5 years. This will have a big impact on the public and businesses that have relied on cremations in Poole.

Read more: Decision-makers behind Poole Crematorium decision 'have misread public mood'

Many churches and church ministers in the Poole area would welcome the reinstallation of cremators in the Poole Crematorium. It is outrageous that the 4 original cremators in Poole Crematorium were not repaired or replaced by the then council as and when they became obsolete.

Poole Crematorium

It is also outrageous and undignified for the present situation to continue whereby after a cremation service at Poole Crematorium some bodies are liable to be transferred either individually or up to 4 at a time in a local authority van from Poole Crematorium to Bournemouth Crematorium for the actual cremation.

Bournemouth Crematorium already is reported to be the 2nd busiest crematorium on the country with over 4000 cremations a year. Poole in the 3 years, before it ceased having cremations there in April 2020, averaged over 2000 cremations a year. The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities advise that “crematoria undertaking 1000 or more cremations per annum are most likely to be viable”.

Read more: Petition for Poole Crematorium to get a cremator

It has been suggested to the Council that with the installation at Poole of a gas cremator (which are used at most of the Crematoria across the UK) there will be an increase amounts of carbon emissions generated.

In fact, there will be no increase in carbon emissions. Rather there will be a reduction for the following reasons

1.  At present the bodies of deceased go from Poole Crematorium to Bournemouth Crematorium for cremation. However, if one gas cremator was put into Poole Crematorium Cremations then there will be no need to transport the bodies to Bournemouth and no increase in carbon emissions as cremations in Poole would replace those going to Bournemouth.
2. There will be a reduction in carbon emissions by saving the emissions given off by avoiding travel, by all those involved in a cremation funeral, across the conurbation to Bournemouth Crematorium.

Poole Crematorium has in the past been used by not only Poole families but also by families in the Purbecks as the most convenient Crematorium. However, they are being discouraged by the extra travel time to and from Bournemouth Crematorium particularly when a wake has been organised locally following a service or cremation.

At present a private crematorium is advertised as the only crematorium in Poole, Purbeck, and North Dorset and gas funeral plans starting at £2795. However, a monopoly of such a service in our area, especially when it is beyond the financial means of many, should be questioned strongly.

These are all persuasive reasons why a cremator should be installed at Poole Crematorium now.

John Ainsworth,

Chairman of Churches Together in Poole.

'Disturbing'

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth was impressive and memorable but in addition has reminded us all how important it is to pay proper respect to every deceased person.

I am therefore especially disturbed by the proposals being considered today by the BCP Cabinet regarding our local crematoria. Poole Crematorium Chapel is of national note as an impressive, spacious and dignified venue for conducting funeral services. Its cremator has however been out of service for approximately two years with bodies, sometimes several together, being transported to Bournemouth for unattended cremation following funeral services. 

Now, having spent almost £0.5 million on an inessential uplift to its facilities it is proposed to NOT replace either of its cremators and to review the situation in 2025 or 2026 at the earliest. Thus, during that time (and, one suspects, beyond) Bournemouth's crematorium, already the second most busy in the country, will be our only accessible option, with no back up available if (or when...) one of its cremators fails.

There is at present a private crematorium which advertises itself as the only crematorium in Poole, Purbeck and North Dorset, with funeral plans starting at almost £3000. I do not question the quality of the service they offer but I believe such a monopoly by one company, especially when it is beyond the financial means of many, is wrong. In Poole Crematorium we have an outstanding facility available to all funeral directors and to all our residents. Our Council should make it a high priority to restore it to full use: we owe it as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Fr Pip Martin

Vicar of St Aldhelm's, Branksome