Following a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Funerals and Bereavement, Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has raised the concerns that arise because of the delay between a person dying and their subsequent burial or cremation in a Westminster Hall debate.
The APPG, which Mark chairs, brings together Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords alongside leading industry experts to investigate issues of concern in this field. This includes matters raised by constituents, as well as wider issues which affect funerals and bereavement.
Caroline Dinenage MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities and Family Justice, responded on behalf of the Government and thanked Mark and the APPG on Funerals and Bereavement for their report. In response to the issues raised by the APPG, the Minister noted that consultations have been held by the responsible government departments to look more closely at these concerns.
Speaking after the debate, Mark said:
“Delays in the funeral process following the death of a family member or loved one can cause great distress to bereaved people, especially those of faith communities. I was delighted to be able to highlight the issues raised in the APPG’s report and to provide the Minister with an opportunity to update the House on the progress the Government is making.”
Mark continued:
“I am pleased that following the work of the APPG, the Department of Communities and Local Government have published a consultation on the provision of crematoriums in order to ensure that there are sufficient facilities available. Here in Rugby, we can be proud of the Rainsbrook Crematorium which is providing the service that Rugby residents need and it demonstrates that new, high quality facilities can be provided. I will also be meeting representatives of the Co-operative Funeral Services in Bilton later this month, to further discuss how the issues raised by the report affect local residents.”
Mark concluded:
“It is clear from the findings of our report that there is more work that can be done to ensure that families and the bereaved are placed at the centre of the system. The APPG concluded that Government must focus on ensuring that all departments involved in the death process work together. I know from the Minister’s response that the Government is aware of these challenges and is working to ensure that the delays that have increased in recent years might be reduced in order to minimise the distress caused to bereaved people.”