| Title |
East Ayrshire Respectful Funeral Service |
| Lead officer(s) |
Robert McCulloch / Elaine Schendel |
| Telephone number |
|
| Email address |
elaine.schendel@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
| Date summary created |
25 Jun 2019 |
| Date assessment completed |
25 Jun 2019 |
| Summary of policy aims |
The Council recognise the pressures both emotional and financial placed in individuals and families during a time of bereavement and wish to promote a fixed price, dignified, affordable funeral service which would be known as the East Ayrshire Respectful Funeral Service. This service will assist with funeral poverty and also raise awareness of funeral costs. |
| Key issues |
The specification is tailored to a traditional white Scottish funeral, however religious and race requirements and beliefs need to met. National Records of Scotland (Census 2011) report details the ethnic grouping in East Ayrshire, as 55% Christian, 37% with No religion and 1% other religion. However, the largest visible ethnic minority population in East Ayrshire is Muslim at present less than 0.3% and The impact will be minimum as the Respectful Funeral Service agreement will specify that religious and race needs and beliefs will be tailored in line with the specification and additional item costs explained. The Muslim Community in Hill Street work closely with EAC Bereavement Services and a Muslim burial ground area was created in Kilmarnock Cemetery in 2014 and they have a funeral service in place for their Community. |
| Summary of involvement with Groups |
There were a number of ways in which involvement with groups was undertake. This included involvement at a national level with the Scottish Government / Citizens Advice Scotland - Funeral Poverty report Round table discussions - Angela Constance (Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities) 2016-2018 Budget Setting consultation 2016-17 Scottish Government Working Group on Funeral Poverty. Locally there was involvement through public consultation on budget proposals 2016-17. Public Awareness has been through promotion of the service via a wide range of service premises and via Vibrant Communities. Funeral Director Open day will be held mid February 2019 top discuss the Specification and provide assistance. (Procurement and Bereavement Services staff) Scottish Bereavement Benchmarking Group (SBBG). |
| Key recommendations |
To introduce the policy and continue to have open dialogue with different religious groups as and when required, and the policy will be reviewed on an annual basis. |