Decision details

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services provided the Cabinet with an opportunity to consider the outcome of the pilot project to offer direct cremations in Rhondda Cynon Taf and to approve continuation of this service on a permanent basis. 

Members were advised that the pilot of offering direct cremations to bereaved families, which had run from November 2019 to November 2020, had been well received and that 65 direct cremations had taken place, 28 in Glyntaff and 37 in Llwydcoed.  In the subsequent three months, a further 31 direct cremations had taken place across both crematoria.

The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being and Cultural Services noted that the pilot had demonstrated a demand for direct cremations and endorsed the recommendations contained within the report that the Council continue to offer the service to its residents.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    That approval be given for the continuation of the provision of offering a Direct/Simplicity cremation service at Glyntaff Crematorium, at the reduced prescribed fee of £568 for 2021/22 and in line with the rate applied for the pilot scheme;

2.    That the Direct Cremation fee level for 2022/23 onwards be determined as part of Cabinet’s consideration of Council fees and charges each year; and

3.    That an update is reported to the Llwydcoed Crematorium Joint Committee seeking implementation of direct cremation arrangements at Llwydcoed Crematorium in line with those approved for Glyntaff Crematorium.