Crematorium praises generosity of families and relatives for helping charity in fight against dementia

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 27/10/2017


A crematorium in South Derbyshire has raised £5,000 for charity thanks to the generosity of families who have said goodbye to a loved one.

Bretby Crematorium, based in Geary Lane, is part of a national scheme which, with the knowledge and permission from members of a deceased person's family, recycles metals left over once a cremation has taken place.

The process is undertaken with respect and dignity and is clearly explained to the families when they are making the funeral arrangements.

Traditionally any metal left after the cremation process would be given back to relatives or buried, but this scheme allows the crematorium to recycle it and use the funds to boost charitable causes.

Bretby Crematorium has now donated £5,000 to Central England Co-operative’s corporate charity Dementia UK as a result of being part of the scheme.

Nick French, Crematorium Manager, said: “This is a scheme we have been involved with for several years together with many crematoria around the country.

“The scheme is explained to all families and they can decide to not take part at any point.

“However, we often find that our clients embrace the effort to support charity and find some comfort in something so positive coming out of their own distress.

“All of us here would like to say a big thank you to all the families who have helped us over the years and have supported charitable causes with this scheme.

“The generosity of the families is very much appreciated and we are thankful that even at a time of grief, they care about others.”

There is a specific consent form which features as part of the paperwork that the next of kin sign.

Hilda Hayo, Chief Executive at Dementia UK, said: “We are very grateful to Bretby Crematorium and the families who have kindly chosen to support Dementia UK.

“This generous donation will mean we are able to fund more specialist Admiral Nurses, to give families affected by dementia the support and advice they need.”

The funds will be used to help provide specialist support to families affected by dementia through the charity’s Admiral Nurse service and Dementia Helpline.

Admiral Nurses work alongside people with dementia and their families and offer one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions so they can face dementia with more confidence and less fear. The nurses can be found based in the community, as well as operating out of hospitals and care homes.

The Dementia Helpline is available on 0800 888 6678 to anyone with queries or concerns about dementia. It is staffed entirely by Admiral Nurses, to ensure those with dementia and those caring for them get the best possible care and advice.

A spokesman from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), which runs the scheme, said: “Bretby Crematorium has been a member of the ICCM and Orthometal recycling of metals scheme for a number of years. 

“The scheme has made significant donations to local and national charities over the past 10 years and its continued support by the public and crematoria will continue to benefit local communities and the bereaved.”

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Bretby Crematorium officers Daryll Broadhurst and Helen Clarke with Trish Pringle, from Dementia UK, following a donation of £5,000.

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £927million for 2016/17. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, 10 florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.

Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2017.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop