Statement from Allison Fisher Registrar, North East Lincolnshire Council Cemeteries and Crematorium

"Funeral services are very personal. The type of service chosen will take into account the needs and beliefs of the deceased, as well as the bereaved.

North East Lincolnshire Council Crematorium and Cemeteries section must be attentive to all groups but ensure that in our endeavours to meet the needs of one faith we do not discriminate against another.

We provide separate burial sections for the use of particular denominations - such as Roman Catholics and Muslims, the graves in the Muslim section all face towards Mecca to comply with their beliefs. It is possible for burials to take place without a traditional coffin being used, burial shrouds can also be used provided that certain criteria is complied with and the Cemetery Registrar is contacted prior to the arrangements being finalised.

Provided that families/funeral directors contact us in advance, we will do our utmost to meet the individual requirements for a funeral service. In the past we have been able to assist families in providing a graveside incinerator to burn personal belongings of the deceased to ensure the funeral is conducted in line with their faiths, for family members to witness the charging of the coffin into the cremator and sweets or money to be handed to the congregation at the end of the service. The requests may be due to religious beliefs or personal preferences, whatever the reasons, provided that the law is adhered to and that no offence would be caused to the general public, we will do our best to provide the type of service requested - just ask."

Allison can be contacted at the Crematorium, Weelsby Avenue, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN32 OBA.

Jewish Cemetetry

The local Jewish Cemetery is located in First Avenue, Grimsby and can be contacted via the Jewish Burial Society (see Judaism section for contact details).