Families hit by funeral delays over Shropshire crematorium repairs

A serious breakdown at the busy Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury has cut the number of cremations taking place there, while repair work is also underway at the facility in Telford.

Funeral directors say families are struggling to understand why there are hold-ups.

Some are choosing to go as far afield as Wolverhampton and Aberystwth for cremations.

• Have you been affected by the crematorium repairs? Get in touch via ketley.newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk or call 01952 242424.

One, Aubrey Kirkham, who has bases in Shrewsbury, Four Crosses and Welshpool, said there had been a 'catastrophic' breakdown at Emstrey last month.

"Funeral directors are having either put back funerals or suggest alternative crematoria such as Wolverhampton, Wrexham or even Aberystwyth for Mid Wales families," he said.

"They are about half the funeral slots at Emstrey available at the moment. Families are struggling to come to terms with the problems, particularly at such a difficult time in their lives."

Dignity, the company which runs both facilities said had been working closely with the Public Health Department and Shropshire County Council to ensure the best possible service in the current circumstances and has not received any complaints from members of the public.

Stuart Cox for the company said: "When Dignity acquired Emstrey Crematorium in 2016 the equipment we inherited from the previous operator was not up to our standards and has now suffered a serious breakdown.

"We were planning to invest £1 million this year to install new equipment but have now brought forward this project which will improve services long-term. "The work is expected to take two to three weeks during which time there will be a reduction in the number of services Monday to Friday but we are providing services on Saturday at no extra cost to families.

"All funeral directors have been advised, however, there are a number of service times that are still available.

"We regularly maintain the cremator at Telford but unfortunately there is now a legal requirement for repair work to be undertaken immediately.

"This will slightly reduce the number of services we can provide per day for the next two weeks but we will then return to full capacity. All local funeral directors have been informed."

Mr Cox said that as a national crematoria operator, Dignity had noticed an increasing trend for families asking that the funeral takes place on a particular day.

"Mondays and Fridays are the most popular for those with relatives travelling long distances to the funeral.

"Therefore, some families are choosing to wait for the service time they want to become available."