The Co-operative Funeralcare awarded bereavement services contract

The Co-operative Funeralcare has been awarded a contract to provide bereavement services in Shropshire over the next 30 years, following a competitive tendering process. 

This means that, as from Monday 29 August 2011, The Co-operative Funeralcare will provide bereavement services on behalf of Shropshire Council, including managing and operating the crematorium and cemetery at Emstrey in Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury General cemetery and five rural cemeteries in the greater Shrewsbury area. 

As part of the contract The Co-operative Funeralcare will also be responsible for essential upgrades to the Emstrey site, such as installing new cremators which will limit pollution, and refurbishing the existing public and staff buildings.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said:

“Longstanding and well respected, The Co-operative Funeralcare already has contracts with other councils across the country. 

“This new contract will allow for much needed upgrades to the Emstrey site – something that we just cannot afford in this economic climate without private sector investment. 

“As well as this essential investment, The Co-operative Funeralcare will increase the quality and variety of services offered.” 

George Tinning, Managing Director of The Co-operative Funeralcare, said:

“The Co-operative Funeralcare has helped generations of families through bereavement and I am pleased we can bring our expertise and experience to Shrewsbury.  We already operate three crematoria across the UK as well as around 880 funeral homes and three woodland burial grounds. 

“Our people working at a local level have helped us to become the UK’s leading funeral director and I look forward to continuing this success in Shrewsbury.”

The decision to award the contract was made at the council’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 3 August 2011 as part of an exempt report. 

All staff who currently work within the service will be transferred to The Co-operative Funeralcare. 

The council is not selling the land or buildings, only offering a concession contract to operate the facilities.  All land and buildings will revert back to the council after the 30-year period.

The Co-operative Group (www.co-operative.coop) is the UK’s largest mutual business, owned not by private shareholders but by almost six million consumers.  It is the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, the leading convenience store operator and a major financial services provider, operating The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and The Co-operative Insurance. Among its other businesses are the number one funeral services provider and Britain’s largest farming operation.  As well as having clear financial and operational objectives, the Group has also set out its social and sustainability goals in its groundbreaking Ethical Plan, which specifies almost 50 commitments in these areas. 

The Group operates over 5,000 retail trading outlets, employs more than 110,000 people and has an annual turnover of £13.7bn.