SYMPOSIA

SYMPOSIUM 1: "CREMATION MATTERS"

The Anglican Chapel, Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bath Road, Bristol BS4 3EW

Wednesday 24th October 2012 

THE CREMATION SOCIETY SYMPOSIA

The Cremation Society was founded in 1874 to promote cremation as an alternative to burial. Today 74% of funerals in the United Kingdom involve cremation. But funeral customs and procedures evolve and develop in terms of choice, costs, environment, ethics - and the varied contributions of funeral directors, crematorium staff, clergy and celebrants.

The Symposium was held in the newly restored Anglican Chapel at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, established in 1839. Arnos Vale built Bristol’s first Crematorium, which was open between 1928 and 1989. Arnos Vale is now being restored and managed by Arnos Vale Chatitable Trust with major grant aid from Heritage Lottery Funding, English Heritage and Bristol City Council.

Registration for the Symposium was £45, and included lunch, teas and coffees. The Student Fee was £25. An Optional Guided Tour of Arnos Vale took place at the end of the Symposium at a cost of £5. 

10.30 Arrivals and Introductions, Tea and Coffee
11.00 First Session  "The History of Arnos Vale Cemetery and Crematorium"
Juliette Randall
Chief Executive of Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
11:45 Second Session - " 'Heaven Swallowed the Smoke': The Architecture of Arnos Vale Crematorium in Context"
Professor Hilary J Grainger
Member of the Council of the Cremation Society; Chair, The Victorian Society; Dean, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London
12.30 Lunch
14:00 Third Session "Contemporary Cremation Issues"
Steve Gant
General Manager of Dignity Crematoria and Cemeteries
14.45 Fourth Session "Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel: The first Crematorium in the South-West"
Stephen White
Member of the Council of the Cremation Society; Visiting Lecturer, Cardiff Law School, Cardiff University
15.30 Tea followed by optional tour of the Cemetery

 

 

Photo of Juliette Randal

Juliette Randall

Photo of Hilary Grainger

Hilary Grainger

Photo of Steve Gant

Steve Gant

Photo of Stephen White

Stephen White


SYMPOSIUM 2: "CREMATION MATTERS"

Blackley Crematorium, Victoria Avenue, Manchester M9 8JP
and subsequently at Fairways Café and Bar, Heaton Park
Golf Club, Middleton Road, Prestwich, Manchester M24 2SW

Wednesday, 30th October 2013 

THE CREMATION SOCIETY SYMPOSIA

The Cremation Society of Great Britain was founded nearly 140 years ago to promote cremation as an alternative to traditional burial. Today 74% of UK funerals involve cremation. Yet, as funeral customs and arrangements continue to evolve, bereaved families’ expectations change and crematorium staff, funeral directors, clergy and celebrants must therefore seek to meet them. This symposium offers an occasion to examine these changes and expectations.

The day started with a guided tour of Blackley Crematorium and an account of its history. Blackley won the Manchester Society of Architects Bronze Medal Award, an architectural contribution to help relieve the pain of mourners and to give meaning to mortality. As Professor Hilary Grainger writes, 'Blackley Crematorium emerges as one of the most dramatic and ambitious of the post war crematoria in Britain. This paper examined its importance in the development of a post war aesthetic. Designed in 1957 by Manchester City Architect Leonard Howitt, it heralded a new era with its cantilevered canopies and bold frontage. Its influence was far reaching, but was particularly strong in Scotland.'

Environmental values have encouraged those managing burial grounds and crematoria to maximise their efforts to protect both the ground and the atmosphere. We considered some of the alternatives being offered to traditional cremation.

Changing consumer, ethical and religious values make new demands both on funeral directors and on those who conduct funeral ceremonies. The survey conducted by clergy of the Dioceses of Liverpool and Warrington with the University of Chester explored bereaved people’s changing expectations of and demands on the conduct and content of cremation services.

Registration for the Symposium was £25, including coffee, lunch, tea and the tour of the crematorium.

From 9.00 Arrivals at Blackley Crematorium for guided tour at 9:30 by Dominic Lunn, Customer Service and Compliance Head Officer, Blackley Crematorium
10.45 Coffee and welcome at the Fairways Café and Bar, Heaton Park Golf Club  
11.00 Second Session  The Drama of Death: Blackley Crematorium, 1957. This paper places Blackley Crematorium in its architectural and landscape design context and will explore its impact and influence across the UK. 
Professor Hilary J Grainger
Member of the Council of the Cremation Society; Chair, The Victorian Society; Dean, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London
11:45 Third Session Contemporary Cremation Issues
Colin Rickman
UK Business Development and Standards Manager, The Co-operative Funeral Care
12.30 Lunch
14:00 Fourth Session  Warrington Churches: What We Learned About Funerals . A collaborative project with The University of Chester exploring funeral issues and the churches’ relations with funeral directors and the general public
Father Ian Delinger and The Revd Jane Proudfoot
University of Chester Chaplain to The Warrington Campus and The Faculty of Health & Social Care, and Rector, St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall respectively
14.45 Fourth Session  Plenary Panel of Speakers
Chaired by Harvey Thomas C.B.E.
Chairman of the Council of the Cremation Society
15.30

Tea and Departure

Photo of Hilary Grainger

Hilary Grainger

Photo of Colin Rickman

Colin Rickman

Photo of Ian Delinger

Ian Delinger

Photo of Jan Proudfoot

Jane Proudfoot


 

The Cremation Society of Great Britain
Brecon House (1st Floor), 16/16A Albion Place
Maidstone, Kent ME14 5DZ

Tel: +44 (0)1622 688292/3
Fax: +44 (0)1622 686698
E-mail: [email protected]