By John Baron
A Calverley funeral celebrant has has criticised a “heartless” ban on floral tributes which she says has left mourners “very distressed”.
Former Calverley and Farsley councillor Amanda Carter says a ban on arrangements being placed on the new floor at Cottingley Crematorium has recently been introduced.
She says the new policy follows the refurbishment of the crematorium, in which the carpet was removed and replaced by a hard floor.
Mrs Carter said: “It’s heartbreaking and deeply upsetting for families, whose loved-one may have specified a particular flower tribute.
“It is difficult enough to lose a loved one without this kind of bureaucratic and heartless policy.
“As it is you are only allowed 20 minutes in the chapel to say farewell to your loved one and there could be a fine if you overrun. Â
“It won’t stop the floor getting wet anyway, as in winter, when the weather is wet or there is snow, mourners will bring it in on their feet, and as there is a short time between funerals they won’t have time to mop it up.”
The council still allows flower tributes to go outside or on the flower terrace, but Mrs Carter claims this is not the same as honouring your loved one’s wishes, having them in the chapel during the service. Â
A Leeds City Council has responded to Mrs Carter’s concerns.
A spokesperson said: “The council has had a policy in place for many years to control the staging of large floral arrangements in our crematoria chapels to ensure that access routes remain clear and safe while the building is in use.
“This includes designated spaces on top of the coffin inside the chapel as well as dedicated stands outside of the chapel for the staging of larger floral arrangements.
“In addition to the safety requirement, the previous chapel flooring had become stained from leakage from floral arrangements in the areas where this policy had not been sufficiently observed.
“We recently wrote to funeral directors to remind them of the need to stage larger floral tributes on the designated spaces provided where families can gather to view them following the service.
“Our standard cremation service allocation is 45 minutes and where families feel they need longer for eulogies and music this can be extended to 90 minutes by prior arrangement.
“We do ask celebrants conducting services to keep to these times so that grieving families attending later services are not held waiting outside as this is distressing at an already difficult and emotional time.”
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