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| Works are now complete on Grimsby's pet crematorium |
IT will cost £58 to have a solemn incineration service at Grimsby Crematorium for a deceased budgie, canary, guinea pig, snake, cat, tarantula or stick insect.
This fee for small pets is included in a scale of charges that North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet is expected to approve at a meeting on Wednesday March 10.
Prompted by its private sector, Engie, NELC is keen to grab a slice of the pet funeral industry which, according to a report, is "worth more than £100-million a year nationally".
Construction of the pet crematorium is understood to have cost the authority£250,000, and it is expected to launch next month - probably without a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Other proposed charges are as follows:
* Small dog: £116
* Medium dog: £135
* Large dog: £159
It is not known which canine breeds will be classified as small, medium or large, so advice will need to be taken from the Kennel Club, Crufts or some other such organisation.
Bereaved pet owners seeking a backing track of music of animal sounds will have to pay an additional £35, while, for use of the chapel, the charge will be £200.
Some people might find it in dubious taste that a crematorium complex built with humans in mind will shortly also accommodate the requirements of animals and their owners.
But some people dote on their pets and regard them as "part of the family".
A report to cabinet members states: "The council’s Bereavement Services has been working on a three-year project which aims to have the family of the bereaved at its core."
It continues: "The council’s strategy sets out the need to become more commercial and to increase options for the local community.
"There are only a small number of pet crematoriums in operation, most of which are private and very few are owned by local authorities.
"There are no pet crematoria in North East Lincolnshire, and there is a growing market for this type of provision.
"Construction work on the new pet crematorium, which is located adjacent to Grimsby Crematorium and has its own separate entrance, has now been completed.
"An additional chapel has been incorporated into the design, which can be used if pet owners wish to have a memorial/farewell service and can also be utilised as an additional chapel for small funeral services.
"A pet incineration licence has been applied for, and this will be granted once the site inspection visit takes place in the next few weeks.
"Bereavement Services has undertaken benchmarking against other pet cremation providers, with the the average prices ranging from £57 to £206.
"Some local public engagement was carried out on the use of the pet crematorium and the proposed fee structure for pet cremations.
"The comments indicated preference for fixed prices for small, medium and large animals, with a maximum charge in the region of £150.
"At this stage, there are no plans to offer pet collection from private homes, but this may be an addition to service provision that is considered in future years."
The report adds: "This is an innovative proposal which will place NELC ahead of many local authorities."
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| Is this a medium-sized or large dog? The Grimsby News says: Is it appropriate for human and pet cremations to be held on the same premises? Even putting aside that question, this project is, alas, an exercise in folly. Hopefully feline-lovers will forgive the analogy, but there is not a cat in hell's chance of NELC ever covering the construction, management and maintenance costs of this venture, let alone of making a profit. One wonders who came up with such a flimsy and ill-conceived business case? How robustly was it challenged? Far from representing commercial acumen, this project is simply a reckless squabdering of council taxpayers' money. |
* Previous Grimsby News report: Huge boost for Pleasure Island revamp project - but Nature will be a big loser
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