Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council (24 017 048)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 16-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to accept liability for damage to his relative’s grave. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to take the matter to court.

Coventry City Council (24 005 689)

Statement Not upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 08-Jan-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not take appropriate care of a cemetery where he visits his parents’ graves. He said this showed a lack of respect for the cemetery and caused him distress when he visited. We found no fault in how the Council acted.

London Borough of Islington (24 007 884)

Statement Not upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 17-Dec-2024

Summary: Miss X complains the Council installed a poor-quality memorial headstone. We have ended our investigation because further investigation would not achieve a worthwhile outcome.

Salford City Council (24 011 957)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 11-Dec-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to change the hours to access the Books of Remembrance at its crematoria. We consider an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Sunderland City Council (23 020 962)

Statement Upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 09-Dec-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council removed her family’s memorial tree in a crematorium without warning. Mrs X said this caused unnecessary and avoidable distress to the family who visit the site nearly every week. We find the Council at fault, and this caused injustice. The Council has agreed to make a payment to Mrs X.

Manchester City Council (24 001 495)

Statement Not upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 18-Nov-2024

Summary: Ms P complains her father’s funeral service was disrupted by the late arrival of a separate funeral party. Although the Council has accepted there were additional steps crematorium staff could have taken to manage the situation, we do not consider this means the Council can reasonably be found to have been fault on the day. The Council has also offered to refund the full costs of the service, which is the most we would recommend if we did find fault. We have therefore completed our investigation.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (24 008 767)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 14-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about graveyard maintenance issues. This is because it is unlikely an investigation by this office could add significantly to the responses already provided by the Council via its own previous investigation of the matter. Also, we cannot make a ruling on whether the Council is liable for the damage to items at the grave.

Erewash Borough Council (24 000 977)

Statement Upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 11-Nov-2024

Summary: Ms X complained her sons grave is prone to flooding, she believes the water may be contaminated. She is not satisfied with the Council’s response to her complaint. The Council is at fault for failing to investigate the complaint thoroughly and failing to explain this to Ms X. This has caused Ms X unnecessary distress.

Nottingham City Council (24 009 767)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 31-Oct-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about an increase in memorial plaque fees. There is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman. We will not investigate some of Mr X’s complaint because it is late.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (24 010 262)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 24-Oct-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the service Miss X received when she buried her brother’s ashes as we cannot add to what the Council has already said or change the outcome of the complaint.