Symposia

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

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