Cemeteries and Crematoria

SERVICE INFORMATION FOR COUNCILS

The idea of Memoria was conceived by Howard Hodgson in 1999. He had recognised a need to supply quality facilities and services to bereaved families throughout the United Kingdom in partnership with local authorities who faced the challenges of upgrading crematoria and cemeteries but without necessarily having the investment capital available to see such projects through. He was then joined by Michael Hackney (Finance Director) and Christopher Johns (Operations Director) - see Directors - and the company was formed in 2003 to meet a public need for better cemeteries and crematoria in the spirit of partnership with local government.

The company is lead by a team with the skills and experience from the four different disciplines needed to provide a complete solution to the design, build, finance and operate equation, namely:

• Administration of cemeteries and crematoria

• Funeral directing and bereavement care

• Design and construction of medium-sized specialist facilities to strict budgets and timetables

• Innovative use of financial instruments to reduce risks and allocate capital productively.

Having identified the opportunity and agreed the basis of a partnership the company with its development partners will deliver the whole package.

The field of private involvement in cemeteries and crematoria has seen much activity in recent years. However it is apparent that some many local authorities remain concerned about the role of the private sector in this field. This concern stems from real issues like accountability, control, transparency and sustainability. Memoria will address these issues in a clear and unequivocal way.

Memoria is here to provide long-term solutions. We are only interested in providing the best services and the highest standards. The management team will draw on all of its experience to deliver the best, not only to its partner authorities but also to the bereaved.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOUR AUTHORITY?

Memoria will enable a range of options to be considered for the benefit of the community at large including:

• Entry into partnership on an existing facility.

• Provide a new Crematorium, either in partnership or funded by ourselves.

• Totally upgrade an existing facility and negotiate a lease.

• Address the issue of Mercury Abatement both technically and financially.

• Outright purchase of an existing Crematorium and Cemetery operation.

• Any reasonable option or combination of the above options.

The public sector and local government currently faces particular challenges in the area of crematorium and cemetery management. Not only do crematoria need updating and refurbishing but the expensive issue of mercury abatement has to be addressed imminently. This can, in turn, throw up architectural and financial problems. In addition, many authorities are running out of space for the provision of new graves.

The advent of Best Value is well established and clearly affects the management of this service area. However, it tends to identify the problems which need solutions rather than supply the actual solutions, which are often technical and further aggravated by a lack of local authority investment cash.

One of the routes to addressing Best Value is public/private partnership. The Public/Private Partnership is recognised by many as the best way to combine the qualities of both sectors. The private sector can introduce funding and innovation whilst the public sector can enable and provide safeguards.

OUR COMMITMENT TO PARTNERS

• We will always behave in an honest and discreet manner

• We will keep all discussions confidential

• Any concerns raised will have the immediate attention of a Director

• We will commit to a guaranteed service standard

• We will ensure that the full breadth of our experience is available to you at all times

• We will work with you to find solutions that suit you, the client.

Click to download our service standards document.

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE INDUSTRY

You will have the comfort of knowing that the company has achieved membership of the corporate arm of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management. Not only does this demonstrate commitment but also credibility. We support the objectives of this organisation including the Guiding Principles and The Charter for the Bereaved. All Memoria staff members are trained to the appropriate level of competence by the ICCM as well as being fully trained in-house by ourselves.

Memoria aims, through its lead in the field of partnership, to deliver service excellence to its partners whilst upholding the best traditions of Britain’s cemeteries and crematoria.

FINDING SOLUTIONS

In setting out on this course Memoria has recognised a real need within the service namely, Bereavement Care. By bringing together a management team including individuals experienced in this field we believe that we can offer something different to the mainstream companies that have dominated the private sector for years. We are actively seeking meaningful and rewarding partnerships that recognise both our need for growth and the public sector ethos of service first. And, in the spirit of such partnership, we guarantee a director of the company will lead every local authority project.

Our industry is changing, the advent of further environmental legislation, increased client service expectations and ever increasing financial demands are leading operators to look carefully at their service. Memoria shares your desire to meet these challenges with enthusiasm and professionalism for the good of the bereaved.

We very much look forward to working with your authority.

 
Howard Hodgson
Chairman

RELATED SERVICES

Memoria works closely with Classic Cremation Partnerships Ltd  a specialist provider of consultancy, management and support services to the industry.
www.classiccremation.co.uk