In recent years, adverse criticism about modern funeral practices has been increasing. The Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration (IBCA) recognises this situation and in 1996 produced the Charter for the Bereaved specifically to improve funerals.

The content of the Charter is based on the experiences of cemetery and crematorium managers with bereaved families. Professional and charitable groups involved with the bereaved have also been consulted. Regrettably, the Charter has not been supported by organisations representing funeral directing and embalming. It is hoped that their support can be obtained at some stage in the future to enable rights to be offered when these professionals are employed

The rights in this Charter will available at any cemetery or crematorium whose management have formally adopted the Charter for the Bereaved. In this document they are referred to as "Charter Members".

This Charter :

is a commitment to improving the service by confronting rather than disguising the death experience, and reducing ignorance;

is intended to define the rights of every individual who experiences bereavement;

will set standards of service relating to burial, cremation and funerals generally. It is a written statement of what can be expected and this can act as a measure for judging the service received;

recognises that bereavement services are critical to the health of the nation. That the benefits of a meaningful funeral are immeasurable, influencing both the physical and mental well-being of us all;

will give the bereaved greater influence over the arrangement of funerals, thereby controlling cost and offering more satisfaction.

THE CHARTER IDENTIFIES THE FOLLOWING 33 RIGHTS

Burial procedure

1 It is your right to have a burial organised and conducted in a dignified and orderly manner, supported by competent, professional and caring cemetery staff.

2 It is your right to inspect statutory cemetery records.

Grave choice

3 It is your right to purchase a private grave for a period not exceeding 100 years. (This "Right of Burial" is a grave for one or more burials, and upon which you can place a memorial. To this purchase cost, a burial fee is also payable.)

4 It is your right to choose to be buried in an unpurchased grave. (You cannot reserve space for further burials in this type of grave, nor do you have any right to place a memorial. Further un-related burials will occur in the future, the grave being "re-cycled". For each burial, a fee is payable.)

Cemetery memorials

5 It is your right to place a memorial within the constraints of regulations in force or to leave the grave unmarked.

6 It is your right and responsibility to maintain a memorial upon a grave during the period of grave rights granted to you. The memorial cannot be disturbed or moved during this period without your express permission, unless it poses a safety hazard. The safe erection and maintenance of the memorial is your responsibility.

7 Except where Charter members are the sole suppliers of memorials, it is your right to use any memorial mason of your choice, provided they are not prohibited by the Charter member.

Baby and infant graves.

8 It is your right to be offered an individual grave for a baby or infant.

9 It is your right to be able to purchase an adult grave for the burial of a baby or infant, with sufficient depth remaining to allow adult burials.

Burials in private land

10 It is your right to receive factual information on burial in private land e.g.. gardens, farms, orchards, etc.

Cremation procedure

11 It is your right to organise and conduct a cremation in a dignified and orderly manner, supported by competent, professional and caring crematorium staff.

12 It is your right to inspect the crematorium under normal working conditions.

Cremated remains and memorialisation

13 It is your right to be offered a Book of Remembrance memorial, set in a Hall of Remembrance. This must include a designated place for floral tributes.

Ceremonies and belief

14 It is you right to hold a burial or cremation service at the cemetery or crematorium and define the type of music and ceremony.

15 It is your right to define the type of religious or secular (non-religious) format of the service.

Coffins and alternatives

16 It is your right to choose the type and design of coffin, within the constraints of availability, regulations and safe materials.

17 It is your right to obtain a coffin via your Charter member (bio-degradable type.)

Communication

18 It is your right to receive a prompt response to any form of communication within the times specified by each Charter member.

19 It is your right to be given a table. of cemetery and crematorium fees upon request

Environmental issues

20 It is your right to be made aware of all known environmental issues relating to bereavement services.

(Full details are given in Reference Copy of the Charter for the Bereaved)

Social and community aspects

21 It is your right to receive a service that recognises your needs, without unfairness or discrimination e.g.. religious belief, ethnic needs, disability, etc

Funerals without a Funeral Director (independent funerals)

22 It is your right to organise an independent cremation or  independent burial without the use of a funeral director.

23 It is your right, as executor (or next of kin) to be given the body by a mortuary, hospital, etc. in order to carry out a funeral. `

24 It is your right to be given a leaflet by your Charter member describing ,

how to arrange an independent cremation or  independent burial .

Maintenance of grounds and gravedigging

25 It is your right to be shown a specified standard of grounds maintenance. Where standards fail to meet the specification, you have the right to complain.

Regulations

26 It is our right to be given a list of regulations used by your Charter member.

27 It is your right to be given a written explanation of the reason why a regulation has been used to restrict or otherwise influence your rights.

Staff and expertise

28 It is your right to receive a quality service provided by trained and qualified staff. Where service standards fail, you have a right to question the level of expertise shown and to receive assurances regarding the ability of those involved.

Inspection

29 It is your right to be given an inspection of the cemetery or crematorium at any reasonable time.

30 It is your right to be given a copy of the "Guiding Principles of Burial and Cremation Services" or the "Code of Cremation Practice" under which your Charter member operates.

Grievance procedure

31 It is your right to use the grievance procedure if you are dissatisfied about any service provided by your Charter member.

You can complain "on the spot" if you have the opportunity. If you continue to be dissatisfied, a grievance procedure has been prepared which combines the Department's standard procedure with the requirements of the Charter. This covers grievances received direct from the public, via the Director of Community  & Cultural Services and via Elected Members

Using a Funeral Director

32 It is your right to be given a copy of the item "Information on using a funeral director"

(from the Reference Copy of the Charter for the Bereaved) by your Charter member.

This describes the funeral "package", the absence of price transparency, the impact of large commercial firms, funeral pre-payment plans, etc.

Embalming

33 It is your right to be given a copy of the item "Information on Embalming" (from the Reference Copy of the Charter for the Bereaved) by your Charter member. A small fee may be payable. This describes the process of embalming, often referred to as cosmetic treatment by funeral directors. It addresses the issues of environmental impact and whether the process is necessary.