Improvements at Colchester Crematorium and Cemetery reflected in national rankings

Colchester Crematorium and Cemetery run a continuous programme of improvements to the service they provide to bereaved families. The progress of the programme can be charted by their place in national rankings or league tables.

The service given by the crematorium has risen from 50th in the national rankings in 2003 to 12th this year, and the service provided by the cemetery has risen from 64th in the national rankings in 2003 to 9th this year. In the south east regional rankings both the cemetery and the crematorium are ranked 4th.

Penny Stynes Crematorium and Cemetery Manager who introduced the improvement programme three years ago, said: "We aim to make continuous improvements to the service we provide to bereaved families, and this is reflected in the league tables. We are really pleased with the 2006 results. Our long term aim is to consistently rank in the top 10 cemeteries and crematoria in the country and we are well on our way to achieving that."

The cemetery and crematorium signed up to the Charter for the Bereaved in July 2003. The Charter sets out a number of rights that the bereaved may expect, and a further and greater number of subsidiary rights for the establishment to aim for and aspire to.

Councillor Elizabeth Blundell, the portfolio holder with responsibility for the Crematorium and Cemetery said: "This is an excellent set of rankings and the staff's commitment to the Charter for the Bereaved ensures that the improvements made to the service always directly benefit bereaved families."

ENDS

Press release issued: September 12, 2006