London Borough of Islington (22 016 277)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 20-Mar-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of matters relating to Ms X’s lease of a grave and burial plot for a family member at a Woodland Burial Area (WBA) site. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (22 015 368)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 07-Mar-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s investigation into an incident which took place at a local cemetery. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to lead to a different outcome for Mrs X.

Allerdale Borough Council (22 014 918)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 02-Mar-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this late complaint about a burial in 2021. There is not a good reason for the delay in complaining to the Ombudsman about the matter.

Cambridge City Council (22 015 153)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 28-Feb-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of matters relating to Ms X’s crematorium family memorial as it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council or that we could change the outcome of the complaint.

Plymouth City Council (22 012 661)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 12-Jan-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to the complainant’s request for information. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is reasonable to expect the complainant to refer the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Nottingham City Council (22 010 187)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 13-Dec-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about damage caused to a headstone and delays in responses to complaints. Further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome. We cannot determine liability for damage. And complaints about events which occurred more than twelve months ago are too late.

Somerset West and Taunton Council (22 010 009)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 22-Nov-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the purchase of a burial plot. This is because it is unlikely investigation would add anything significant to the responses the Council has already made to the complaint, or reach different conclusions.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (21 013 555)

Statement Upheld Cemeteries and crematoria 17-Nov-2022

Summary: The Council’s failure to enforce its own policies about permitted memorials and use of grave space was fault. The Council also failed to properly respond to all parts of the complaint. The Council has agreed to apologise, meet part of the outstanding costs for the relocation of Mr X’s wife’s grave, and take action to improve its services.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (22 010 108)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 10-Nov-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a missing headstone. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is no evidence the Council is at fault.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (22 009 540)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Cemeteries and crematoria 02-Nov-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council providing Mr X with incorrect information about the depth remaining in a family burial plot. This is because an investigation would not lead to a different outcome.