Inverness Crematorium receives positive annual report

Inverness Crematorium has received a positive annual report after the Scottish Government’s annual inspection of burial grounds and cremations authorities praised the standards and staff at the crematorium. Inverness Crematorium provides a full cremation service for the Highlands, with 1387 cremations conducted in 2023. The crematorium is inspected annually by Scottish Government inspectors and every five years by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities. The most recent Scottish Government inspection was carried out earlier this month. The inspection found that Inverness Crematorium “continues to perform to a high standard, with no shortcomings noted to any aspect of the cremation process.” It also highlighted that “good practice” was observed throughout the different stages. Staff were also praised in terms of how they managed to avoid delays in cremations, despite the “extensive and noisy ongoing operation to remedy roofing issues at the premises”. The report further stated: “the Crematorium Authority are very fortunate in having such a dedicated, professional, and experienced team at Inverness Crematorium, collectively providing a first-class service to the local community and beyond.” Work is also being planned to replace the current cremators at Inverness Crematorium, funding for which was approved from the council’s capital budget on 14 September 2023. A project group is now taking forward recommendations from a consultant’s report through the design and procurement process. New legal requirements for emissions standards necessitate the replacement of the current cremators in Inverness. The consultant’s report also provided an overview of the feasibility of a new crematorium in Lochaber, due to current challenges in burial ground provision. It recommended a more detailed feasibility study is conducted to assist members, which will be presented to the Communities and Place Committee in September 2024. Cllr Graham MacKenzie, chair of the communities and Place Committee, said: “This is a welcome and very positive inspection report and staff at Inverness Crematorium deserve much credit for the standard of service, despite the challenging operating environment caused due to the ongoing works.”