West Suffolk Council (19 007 231)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 02-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the intrusive behaviour of Council staff during the funeral of a family member. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely we can add to the investigation already carried out by the Council and an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (19 005 967)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 12-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about cemetery fees because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (19 003 808)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 28-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s maintenance of graves in a cemetery. It is for the Council to decide how to maintain the graves and it is unlikely we would find fault or that we could achieve anything for Mrs X.

Norwich City Council (19 005 168)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 20-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about interment fees. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Leicester City Council (19 003 318)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 19-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to inform relatives about the removal of soil and ashes from a remembrance garden in a cemetery in 1982. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault for which a remedy could be recommended now

Redcar & Cleveland Council (19 003 918)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 12-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about damage to her grandparents’ grave and the Council’s refusal to pay the cost of repairing this. The courts are better placed to decide on matters of liability and payment of damages.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (18 014 651)

Statement Upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 17-Jul-2019

Summary: Miss Y complains the Council wrongly laid down the gravestone of her grandparents. The Ombudsman finds the Council did not act in accordance with its own procedures or government guidance when inspecting the memorial and has no records to show how and why it laid down the gravestone. The Council has agreed to apologise and arrange for the headstone to be reinstated. The Council will also contact others similarly affected by the faulty inspections.

Ipswich Borough Council (18 019 474)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 27-Jun-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s acceptance that his family grave plot belongs to a different family member. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council (19 001 406)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 13-Jun-2019

Summary: Miss X complains the Council has allowed a new larger memorial stone on the cremation plot next to her late father’s plot. She says it is too close and violates her father’s plot. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as we have not seen any evidence of fault by the Council.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (19 001 691)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 07-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s alleged failure to respond to her request for information about her brother’s funeral. This is because the Information Commissioner’s Office is the appropriate body to consider her concerns.