FOI Request - Cremation and Burials
Request 101003192234
Please provide me with the following information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act:
Crematoria
1. At present, what is the TOTAL crematorium charge (including use of chapel, waiting rooms and attendances, floral decoration, recorded or organ music, scattering/strewing of ashes, medical referee’s fee, and environmental surcharge) at each crematorium operated by the council?
2. Does the crematorium fee include an ‘environmental charge’ associated with the cost of mercury abatement, and if so, how much is this environmental charge?
3. What was the council’s total crematorium charge (as described in Q1):-
(a) In October 2022
(b) In October 2021
(c) In October 2017
4. Has the council transferred any crematoria to private sector businesses and if so:-
(a) Please identify the private operator.
(b) In what year did this take place?
(c) Has the council restricted the fees which the private operator may charge, and if so what is the restriction?
Cemeteries
5. How many cemeteries does the council own and operate?
6. How much does the council charge for an adult burial, to include an exclusive right of burial, for the minimum period of use, in a standard lawn grave, and including any interment fee?
7. What was the charge for the same provision of a grave as described in Q6:-
(a) In October 2022
(b) In October 2021
(c) In October 2017
8. Are there any private sector cemeteries within the council’s boundaries and if so, please identify them and the company which operates them.
9. Has the council transferred any cemeteries to private sector businesses and if so:-
(a) Please identify the private operator.
(b) In what year did this take place?
(c) Has the council restricted the fees which the private operator may charge, and if so what is the restriction?
10. Please indicate whether the council has had to restrict or cease burials in its cemeteries because of a lack of capacity and if so, what arrangements are there for burials?
Response 05-01-2023
1. Moray Council does not operate a crematorium.
2. N/A.
3. N/A.
4. N/A.
5. The requested information is exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ' information otherwise accessible'. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page: http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_39980.html
6a. Adult burial charge: £949.62
6b. To include an exclusive right of burial: £824.16,
6c. Minimum period of use (standard lawn grave and interment fee): The requested information is exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ' information otherwise accessible'. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page: http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file140191.pdf
7a. As indicated above in Q6 (Prices in 2022/23 were frozen at 2021/22 charge).
7b. As above.
7c. Adult Burial: £836 Sale of Lair: £677
8. Meadowhillock, Burghead: https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/funeral-directors/moray/elgin/daniel-ralph-and-family-funeral-directors
9. N/A
9a. N/A
9b. N/A
9c. N/A
10. The Council’s Cemetery Strategy report can be found under item 5 at: https://moray.cmis.uk.com/moray/CouncilandGovernance/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/231/Committee/9/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx