Upset as funerals cancelled over snow

Funeral services at a Wolverhampton crematorium were cancelled on Friday with one firm saying the decision was unheard of.

Funeral directors McGinn and Sons said with 42 years of experience the decision to shut Bushbury Crematorium was "unheard of" and other crematoriums in the area were planning to open.

A spokesman for City of Wolverhampton Council said it made "the extremely difficult decision to close our cemeteries based on the forecast", on Thursday. An amber warning for snow had been issued for Thursday evening and Friday.

Helen Cupitt, whose relative was to have been remembered at the crematorium on Friday, said she was sure the service could have gone ahead.

The council said on Friday the city had been "very severely affected" by heavy snowfall compared to elsewhere and it could not guarantee "conditions will be safe".

McGinn and Sons said eight funerals at the council crematorium on Friday were cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice.

Cupitt said her aunt June Cupitt's service was cancelled at about 15:30 GMT on Thursday.

She added the funeral was due to have been at 12:30 on Friday, following the 83-year-old's death on 10 December.

"We've got caterers booked. We've got the wake booked. We've got flowers sitting at the funeral directors.

"I've worked in the NHS for 35 years and we have never closed for snow, never."

She pointed out the funeral directors could have changed what the family wanted.

"We didn't have to go from the home. They could have got 4x4s to put the coffin in.

"But we were given no choice, that's the upsetting part and we don't know when we're gonna be able to lay her to rest now."

McGinn and Sons said the main issue was "in the timing as this Thursday's weather was predicted earlier in the week".

It stated it did not know "of anyone in the local funeral industry who was consulted about this huge unique decision".

"We were inundated with offers from other funeral directors to try [and] help us in any way with 4 x4 transport or alternative venues but the late timing of the council's decision made this impossible."

A council spokesperson said that on Thursday it made "the extremely difficult decision to close our cemeteries based on the forecast".

"This meant we were able to inform people of the closure in advance and not have to contact families on the morning of the expected service, which would have added to their distress," they added.

Burials and cremations will be rearranged and the council added it appreciated this was "devastating" for families.

"We apologise to the families affected. We will work with families and funeral directors to reschedule their services as soon as possible."

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