APSE Cemeteries and Crematoria Seminar 2026
APSE Cemeteries and Crematoria Seminar 2026
Thursday 30 April 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Stoke on Trent
As local authority bereavement services face unprecedented pressure to achieve more with less, authorities are being forced to consider alternative ways of delivering this vital and sensitive service.
This seminar explores the delivery of local authority cemetery and crematoria services and examines examples of innovation in service delivery, the legal environment and the challenges ahead, with expert speakers from local authorities and the wider sector sharing their knowledge and experience.
The Seminar will also feature the APSE Cemeteries and Crematoria Innovation Awards and will include presentations from the finalists.
Vickie Hacking, Principal Advisor, APSE
Mathew Crawley, Chief Executive, Institute of Cemetery and Crematoria Management
Simon Matthew, Customer Success Manager, Clear Skies Software, part of the IEG Group
£18m Regeneration of Highgate Cemetery
Dr Ian Dungavell, Chief Executive at the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust
Sheena Ratcliffe, Bereavement Services Manager, Derby City Council
Tom Guilbert-Newell, Sustainable Environment Officer, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council
- APSE Cemeteries and Crematoria Innovation Award Presentations:
Digital Management of our tree estate Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Data‑Driven Innovation: Gas Usage Dashboard for Cremators Buckinghamshire Council
The Greater London Pet Crematorium (Streatham Cemetery) Lambeth Council
Tewkesbury Borough Council: Digital Transformation of Cemetery Records Tewkesbury Borough Council
Promoting excellence in public services
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
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