Sefton Council is reducing the opening hours of its office at Southport Crematorium to one day per week as the public continues to move online for information.
A recent study showed that most visits to the office were from funeral directors. These were mainly to collect ashes, which they can continue to do from other crematorium staff. In-person enquiries from the public, such as memorial orders and genealogy queries, have dropped to a handful per week.
Information about cremation services at Southport is available via the council’s website, at www.sefton.gov.uk/cremation , or by telephone on 01704 533443.
From the start of June, the office at Southport Crematorium will be open between 9am and 4pm on Wednesdays for face-to-face appointments or for people to drop in.
The change in opening hours relates to the office only. Cremation services can still be booked at our Southport site on all weekdays.
The main office for the Burials & Cremations Service across Sefton is at Thornton Garden of Rest Crematorium. That office will remain open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday except Bank Holidays.
Councillor Peter Harvey, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for cemeteries and cremations, said: “While some members of the public do call at the Southport office, the numbers are very low and most of the enquiries can be answered online or by telephone without the need for a journey.
“To make it as easy for any visitors we have installed a free telephone line in the publicly accessible area that houses the ‘Book of Remembrance’. Anyone wanting assistance or information will be able to use it to speak directly to the team at Thornton or to the operational crematorium staff at Southport.
“And funeral directors will continue to be able to collect cremated remains from the crematorium technicians on site. This will ensure there will continue to be no delay in families receiving their loved ones’ ashes.”
Cllr Harvey continued: “As anyone who has had the sad task of arranging a funeral recently will know, most if not all the arrangements are made through the funeral director, which simplifies what is an emotionally painful process. The Council’s side of those arrangements are administered through our team at Thornton.
“By making this change, we can maximise the efficiency of the service through improved working arrangements for the small team as well as creating a financial saving. We will monitor the new system to ensure the public continues to receive an efficient, high-quality service.”
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