Cemeteries bylaw hearings complete

Deliberations on Auckland Council’s proposed Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw and Code of Practice, are now complete and are expected to be adopted later this month.

The chair of the bylaw hearings panel, Cr Calum Penrose, says council recognises that the end of life care of a loved one is a very personal for people, both spiritually and culturally.

“The recommendations we have made will ensure that our staff can continue to respond to the needs of Auckland’s diverse communities with respect,” says Mr Penrose.

“I would also like to make the point that it was never our intention to charge or expect people to get permission for the scattering of ashes in public places. However, the discussion has highlighted variety of cultural beliefs and the need for greater education on this.”

Among the recommendations made today were:

• Giving cemetery managers discretion on how many people can witness the cremation, balanced with meeting the wishes of family and friends and maintaining a safe environment
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• Continuing to support family and friends’ desire to be able to fill their loved ones’ grave, but ask that they give cemetery staff notice so that provision can be made, including having equipment available
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• That floral tributes and adornments on graves will be moved to the concrete beam to allow grave maintenance to be carried out.
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The panel’s recommendations will be considered by the Governing Body later this month before adopting the new bylaw and code of practice, which will come in to effect from 1 November 2014.

ENDS

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