Council leader promises to look into baby cremation issue

The Leader of Shropshire Council has promised bereaved parents that he will look into why it wasn’t possible to provide them with ashes following the cremation of their baby or unborn child.

Shropshire Council took over the running of the crematorium in 2009 from the former Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council, and since 2011 it has been managed by the council’s contractor.

Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of the council, said:

“As a father, and a grandfather, I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a child.

“The death of a baby or unborn child is clearly an awful time for all bereaved families and my thoughts are with all parents who have been through this difficult experience.

“I’m confident that since 2009 the wishes of bereaved parents and families have been, and are, followed at all times and that the appropriate procedures have been followed in cases involving the sad death of a baby or unborn child.

“Sadly, in some circumstances there are no recoverable cremated remains following a baby cremation because of the size of the baby, and I know that parents are made aware of this in advance and asked to sign a form to say that they understand this is a possibility.

“However, I completely understand that parents want to know what may have happened to their babies’ ashes – and I’m keen to check that the appropriate procedures were also followed prior to 2009, when Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council ran the crematorium.

“This week I’ve spoken to three bereaved parents and promised to find out what I can.

“I’m therefore arranging to meet with key council officers, and our contractor, to find out what I can – and to gain a better understanding of the cremation process.

“However, I do also want to reassure people that the upgrade of the crematorium in late 2012 has made it much more likely that ashes can be collected and returned following the cremation of a pre-term or young baby and this was the case with the most recent baby cremation at Emstrey crematorium, in 2013. The new cremators have a foetal setting, and a baby tray is now used for the cremation of pre-term babies, babies and young infants whenever required.”