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The States of Guernsey have agreed to progress plans to spend millions of pounds replacing the ageing crematorium at Le Foulon, but have also said further consideration will be given to improving the accessibility of the site for all mourners.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache was among those surprised this hadn't already been a factor in the planning stages, but after a lengthy debate, the States accepted the amended plans - after initially rejecting a sursis which had aimed to prevent the redevelopment of Le Foulon at this time.
Deputy Sarah Hansmann-Rouxel and Deputy Emilie Yerby had said Le Foulon wasn't a suitable location for a number of reasons, and they wanted the island's government to stop that site from being utilised again, with a call to instead:
"provide a modern, resilient cremation service (including suitable cremator equipment and accessible facilities), which is capable of meeting the needs of the Bailiwick population over the next 30 to 40 years, and is sensitive to the cultural and social significance of funerals as an end-of-life ritual and an important part of the grieving process."
The pair said key stakeholders should be included in ongoing talks about a new crematorium site, including disabled people's and older people's representative groups.
That sursis was narrowly rejected and was then replaced with an amendment, which instead asked the States to support the original plans for the two new cremators to be funded and built at Le Foulon, while ongoing talks would take place with those key stakeholders to ensure suitable access arrangements are put in place.
Pictured: Deputy Charles Parkinson, who led the proposals for the new cremators
A number of alternative locations had already been considered as part of plans to replace the island's current and out-dated cremator but it was decided the best location for two new machines is where the facility is already placed with an extension to the chapel required.
Now the States have agreed to spend almost £4m doing that.
States' Property Services had previously said a detailed study of options for replacing the island’s "existing, outdated cremation equipment" was carried out which included consideration of alternative locations where a new facility could be housed. Key stakeholders, including local funeral directors, were consulted as part of the evaluation process with the decision being made that Le Foulon is the best location and that having two new cremator units located there will provide "much-needed additional resilience."
Pictured: The location of Le Foulon Cemetery home to Guernsey's cremator
Mark Ogier, Property Services Head of Estates Strategy, previously said: “The requirement to regularly manage extremes of temperature from cold to up to 1,000 degrees makes breakdowns associated with thermal stresses inevitable. This can result in extended periods of critical service interruption, hence the strong recommendation to fit two units in the new facility.”
He added that as Guernsey currently only has one crematorium the island the issue needs addressing now so a new one can be built before the existing facility must be removed from service: "It is not desirable emotionally or viable economically to re-route cremations to another nearby facility due to logistical, geographical and legal reasons. That is common practice on the UK mainland where there are alternatives to call on in the event of failure. The cost of transport, associated administration at either end, and the emotional considerations make this an option of last resort.”
As the manufacturer of the existing J G Shelton Diamond 2000EF Cremator fitted at Le Foulon crematorium is no longer in production, as the original manufacturer went into liquidation in the spring of 2014, spare parts are also becoming harder to source meaning the replacement is considered vital at this time.
Pictured: File image of a cremator similar to one in Guernsey
During the debate, Deputy Parkinson said there could be a situation where bodies have to be shipped off island for cremation if the current equipment breaks down before the two new cremators are in use. That situation is to be avoided where possible, he said.
Unlike the existing equipment, which is at the end of its useful life and no longer economic to maintain, STSB has previously said the replacement cremators will also be fitted with emission controls to ensure that the equipment meets new local standards. Each unit will also have a larger capacity than the current cremator meaning that the current chapel won't have sufficient space to install a new, modern cremator so it must be extended.
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