Archive Council News

25.07.05

Charter Mark for Cemetery and Crematorium Service

Staff of Wrexham's Cemeteries and Crematorium Service had smiles on their faces when they learnt they had been awarded a coveted Charter Mark from the Home Office.

The Charter Mark is awarded for excellence in customer service and it is unique in that it looks at a service from the customers point of view.

In order to achieve the Award the Cemeteries and Crematorium Service had to meet a variety of criteria designed to show that it sets measurable and challenging standards and performs well against those standards. It had to prove that it actively engages with customers, partners and staff through consultation and planning and that it makes improvements based on these findings. The service also has to be fair and accessible to everyone, the service is flexible to give customers a choice and is continuously developing and improving. It had to demonstrate it used its resources effectively and imaginatively and that it contributed to improving opportunities and quality of life in the community it served.

In making the Award the assessors judged that staff were:

"...well trained in all aspects of their work including customer care. They received visitors well and there was a caring approach either sympathetically or enthusiastically depending on what was expected of them. Their approach is customer focused for example the organist will try to accommodate the bereaved family with any music they want and funeral services at the cemetery are adapted to suit different neeeds such as those for green funerals or the Polish community.

"The Service has improved its accessibility to the community it served by campaigning for a bus service to the isolated crematorium and for better road signage to the site.

"Ethnic minority burial needs are catered for in a caring and sympathetic way. Shown by their relationship with the expanding polish community, the Muslim community and even allowing an Italian style mausoleum to be built by one family."

Assessors also made reference to the gardens at the crematorium which were described as "a credit to the staff who maintain them who clearly enjoy their jobs".

John Bradbury, Chief Environment Officer, said:

"Staff have worked hard to provide a quality service in a caring and sympathetic way and it gives me great pleasure to congratulate them on this Award. I know they will continue to improve the service to meet their customers needs and to make the service as accessible as possible."

Alan McMahon, Crematorium and Cemeteries Registrar, said:

"We are very proud to be the first Cemetery and Crematorium service in Wales to achieve this award and staff deserve the recognition the Award gives them. Our customers are clearly satisfied with our service but we will continue to take on board the changing needs of our community and provide a service that is appreciated by everyone."

This is the second major award the Cemetery and Crematorium Service has received. In April 2005 it was awarded the Green Dragon Environmental Award awarded by ARENA Network and Groundwork Wales in recognition of the services' commitment to environmental improvements and meeting nationally recognised environmental standards.

Pentrebychan Crematorium was opened in 1966 and owes much of its unique character to its establishment on the site of Pentrebychan Hall. The extensive grounds include parkland, a section of Offa’s Dyke, the Pentrebychan Brook, pools and natural woodland and are open to the public throughout the year.

The crematorium chapel is used for both religious and non religious funerals, has a modern décor and features full length windows giving a feeling of light and space. The services of an organist are provided and facilities exist for families to provide their own music in the form of CD’s, tapes or midi disc. The chapel has seating for 120 mourners. Within the grounds there are four Gardens of Remembrance where, at the choice of the bereaved, cremated remains can be placed.

Wrexham Cemetery opened in 1876 to a design by Yeoman Strachan, the cemetery is 18 acres in extent and the grounds are open throughout the year. The Chapel and Lodge were designed by Wrexham architect, William Turner, a former Mayor of the Borough, and, together with the entrance gates and Victorian grave memorials, are Grade II listed.

Records of all burials at Wrexham cemetery since 1876 are stored at the Cemetery and are accessible to the public for family history research.