Temporary halt for cremations

PERTH Crematorium will temporarily close for cremations tomorrow as part of its £2.2 million refurbishment.

The local authority says work is “progressing well” with the refurbishment of the crematorium, which started in June.

The chapel at the site has been closed for services since then but cremations have continued.

Cremations will stop temporarily to allow new cremators to be installed.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Cremations are expected to resume i n mid-November and, during this period, funeral directors will be able to assist with arranging cremations at alternative crematoria, including Dundee, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline.

“The garden of remembrance remains open.

“Cremated remains will still be able to be dispersed in the gardens and there will be no charge for this for the duration of the crematorium refurbishment.

“We apologise for the disruption.”

Jean Christie died after a short fight with cancer. She was laid to rest yesterday.

The 60-year-old had previously told the Tele of her battle with the council to have her home altered, but she died before any renovations could happen.

Speaking on behalf of the family, daughter Valerie Christie said that her mum had spent her final days housebound, before being transferred to Roxburghe house, where she died.

She said: “I just think that it is terrible — she was crying out for help and didn’t get it.

“For her to be refused a stairlift and a shower seat and then for it to end up this way, it just shows how serious her situation was.

“For her to be battling with them — left without any dignity — is just terrible.”

Valerie has called on the local authority to be more compassionate in future, saying that people who are terminally ill should be able to “retain their dignity”.

She paid tribute to her “amazing” mum, saying that she had hung on long enough to share one last moment with her family before she died.

Valerie said: “The whole family are reeling. We didn’t get much warning, we got a phone call from the doctor and we had to go to Roxburghe House.

“My dad has been really ill lately, but he managed to get down and share a moment with her.

“Dad wasn’t able to walk, so we phoned Ninewells Hospital and asked if we could take our dad to see our mum, but they weren’t too keen about it, however, he would never have

A DUNDEE woman who claimed she was being “robbed of her dignity” after authorities refused to alter her home has died before work could take place.