APSE Cemeteries and Crematoria Seminar 2019

Thursday 11 April 2019

Aston Villa, Birmingham B6 6HE

Bereavement Services despite being high profile council services are still under increasing pressure to become self-sustaining commercial ventures whilst still taking into account the vulnerability of their service users.

The service area is also facing changing cultural requirements as well as being held responsible for caring for the environments in which their services work. More recently the historical value of cemeteries and their assets is being increasingly recognised. Added to this catalogue of responsibilities is the need to meet a long list of new and current legislative demands. 

Whilst these challenges have to be met, the heart of the service is still to ensure it considers its customers’ needs at the most vulnerable time in their lives. 

Service delivery is therefore having to change. APSE recognises this need, and through the provision of this seminar and its wider networking services, APSE can help elected members, managers and officers hear examples of how these changes can be brought about.

The aim of the seminar is to highlight best practice and innovation, which together will prove invaluable to the development of future Bereavement Services.

PRESENTATIONS

Session 1

APSE State of the Market 2019 – Cemeteries and Crematorium

Wayne Priestley, Principal Advisor, APSE

Community involvement in memorial recording: mutual benefits for management and the public

Professor Harold Mytum, M.A. D. Phil F.S.A, Director for Manx Studies, University of Liverpool

Who Cares? We do - introducing a Grave Maintenance Scheme

Roger Swan, Memorial Manager, Cardiff City Council

Session 2

Developing a Supportive Volunteer Group

Steve Jones, Development Manager (Infrastructure), Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Should Local Authorities be considering Natural Water Cremation?

Howard Pickard, Managing Director, Resomation Ltd

Private Sector Partnerships - Finding family where an Estate or Empty Home Causes Problems

David Lockwood, Finders International

Session 3

Delivering a Bereavement Service across the Political, Cultural and Legislative Spectrum

David MacColl, Asst. Group Manager (Bereavement Services and Parks Development), Glasgow Council

Keeping score: Easy come, Easy go

Peter Linsell, APSE Associate

Bereavement Services: Developing a future programme

Wayne Priestley, Principal Advisor, APSE