Welcome to Forest of Dean Crematorium

home

memorials

facilities & location

Latest News

£500 raised to help disabled
5th September 2012- The Forrester

Money raised from the most unlikely of places has been donated to Lydbrook charity The Orchard Trust.

The Forest of Dean Crematorium raised £500 for the Trust, which cares for disabled individuals by recycling unwanted metal and orthopedic implants which were donated by the families of people who were cremated.

The crematorium joined a national scheme in 2008 where any metals retrieved following the cremation process are collected - with any proceeds being given to charity.

Gareth Jones, CEO of the Orchard Trust said the money would be spent on equipment to help kit out a new building at the charity's base which is due to open in November.

"We're extremely grateful for this generous donation" he said. "It's nice to see the crematorium donating to local charities and it will make a real difference to the people that live here."

Crematorium manager Neil Gardiner said if the metal is not donated it has to be treated as waste.

"We ask every bereaved family when they make the funeral arrangements if they would allow us to recycle this metal," he said. "If they say yes, this is sensitively removed from the ashes and recycled in a non-profit manner."

VITAL FUNDS: Orchard Trust CEO Gareth Jones and fundraiser Kathryn Hughes receive a cheque from Neil Gardiner, Forest of Dean crematorium manager.

Two Forest charities have said thank you to bereaved relatives for allowing the crematorium to recycle metal from the furnaces.

By selling the metal and orthopaedic implants, the crematorium has been able to raise money for good causes. The scheme to retrieve metals left over from the cremation process has been running since 2008. But this year the money will go to the Dilke League of Friends and Great Oaks Hospice instead of national charities. Both received cheques for over £750.

Crematorium manager Neil Gardiner said: "With-out these kind donations, the metal cannot be recycled and then has to be treated as waste. We ask every bereaved family when they make the funeral arrangements if they would allow us to recycle this metal. If they say yes, this is sensitively removed from the ashes and recycled in a non-profit manner. We appreciate this is an extremely sensitive subject but hope that bereaved relatives can take some comfort in knowing that the money raised has helped a good cause."

Jane Hamilton of Great Oaks, said she was "honoured" that relatives had supported them at such a difficult time. The money will be used by Great Oaks Hospice to continue its work with adults and their families using hospice services and receiving our care and support."

Robert Young of the Dilke League of Friends said: "We are pleased that families using the Forest of Dean Crematorium have decided to support local charities in this way and are grateful for the kind donation."

View Great Oaks Hospice Letter of Thanks