Hereford Crem donations pass £200k after latest charity awards

Hereford Crematorium has passed £200k in charitable donations after awarding £10k to three local groups through a long-running metals recycling scheme.

The crematorium takes part in a national programme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) that allows metal items recovered during cremation – such as artificial joints – to be recycled with the consent of next of kin. Funds raised are then distributed to charities.

The latest awards have been made to Be More Frank – a named fund of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust – along with Young Lives vs Cancer and SSAFA Herefordshire.

Since joining the initiative, the crematorium has contributed approximately £201k to charities supporting people across the county.

John Gibbon, direct services manager at Hereford Crematorium, said: “We are so grateful for the ICCM’s metal recycling scheme, and the incredible generosity of those who have made the decision to participate. Since we joined the scheme, we have been able to make charitable donations of more than £201,000 which is a remarkable sum.

“We are open to bids from charities to receive funding from the scheme all year round, so we encourage charities to contact us and let us know about the brilliant work they do. Being part of the metals recycling scheme is a true act of charity and kindness, and it is always our hope that enabling support for these charities is of comfort for those who have lost loved ones.”

The ICCM scheme is provided at no cost to participating crematoria, and metal items are never recycled without permission from the bereaved family.