Crematorium wins praise after claims that it allows too many plastic trinkets
A CHURCHWARDEN has praised a crematorium after claims that mourners were leaving too many plastic ornaments and foil balloons spoiling its natural look.
Geoff Brown, 75, a churchwarden in Burton, said he enjoys visiting Bretby Crematorium and that he cannot see anything wrong with the site as it is.
It comes after there were complaints from some relatives who felt there were too many tributes including foil balloons spread too widely across the site, affecting its and peaceful and natural look at the site in Geary Lane, Bretby.
Mr Brown, who is churchwarden at St Modwen’s Church in Burton Market Place, said he was happy with the site and visits often to pay his respects to family members, including his late wife, whose ashes are scattered there.
He said: “I read the report in the Burton Mail complaining about the site at Bretby. I don’t think that’s true.
“My father is buried in Plot A. Robert William Brown, who passed away in 1983 and we have been visiting the site ever since.
“I have been a local chap, as was my father. I have been to many cremations at Bretby and was there last week too. I go to show respect.
“I have noticed that flowers and other things are cleaned up at least once a week. They are not left lying about. It is always beautiful in there. I find that it is as it should be. A place of peace and quiet.”
He added that his wife and his mother are also buried there and is happy with the state of the site.
The warden, from Stretton, said: “I lost my wife Linda in 2010 then my mother Muriel just a few months later.
“Since the Co-operative took it over, I am absolutely happy with the way they are running things there.
“I have been to many funerals there. You have to respect the way that things are run there. If people want to go there and leave trinkets to remember their loved ones in their own way, you have to respect that.
“It gets cleared away. You have to respect that. I don’t feel offended by what I see there personally.
“It is a constantly changing world and people deal with grief in their own ways. It is a beautiful space and the other reader who said she could not bear to go back should not have any concerns.
“I love how peaceful and tranquil it is. You can sit by the pond. It is lovely there.”
Dad Philip Murphy was the first to complain about the venue.
His son and other family members’ ashes are scattered at the crematorium in South Derbyshire and he often visits from his home near Liverpool.
The 63-year-old said he felt that when the council was in charge of the venue, it was a more natural -looking place with woodland, but now it is the responsibility of the Central England Co-operative he had noticed many plastic ornaments and foil balloons have been placed in the ground at the venue, where ashes are scattered, and attached to trees.
A spokesperson for Central England
Co-op has said it recognised the importance for people to be able to remember their loved ones in many different ways, including by leaving flowers, environmentally friendly memorials and other mementos.
He said it worked hard to ensure it struck the correct balance “between supporting the efforts of everyone to remember their lost loved one at the same time as maintaining the stunning backdrop and location at the crematorium”.
Since the Co-operative took over I am absolutely happy with the way they are running things. Geoff Brown