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What We Do |
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Information. |
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The Federation of Burial and
Cremation Authorities represents approximately 90% of all cremation authorities
in the United Kingdom.
Membership of the Federation is open to all burial and
cremation authorities and is the only organisation dedicated to representing and
furthering the interests of burial and cremation authorities, remaining
answerable only to its member authorities.
Membership of the Federation consists
of three classes as follows:
Members, shall be Burial and/or Cremation
Authorities presently operating cemeteries and/or crematoria.
Associate Members,
are prospective Burial and/or Cremation Authorities who, once admitted to the
Federation can obtain the same technical assistance as those in full membership.
Affiliate Members, this class of membership is open to organisations which are
involved in the provision of services to burial and cremation authorities.
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Committees
The Executive Committee comprises of up to eighteen members who are
nominated for election by individual member authorities. The President and
Deputy President of the Federation are elected from the Executive Committee on
an annual basis. Three meetings of the committee are held each year to discuss
policy issues.
The Technical committee consists of a number of suitably
experienced technical officers and is chaired by the President or Deputy
President. It meets regularly to consider and advise on matters of construction,
design and operation of crematoria, as well as advising on general issues dealt
with by the Federation. As a member of the Federation your authority has access
to this technical expertise.
In Scotland the Scottish Sub-Committee was
established to deal with matters relating specifically the promotion of the
cremation movement in Scotland and Scottish law. The officers of the committee
are the Chairman, Secretary and Technical Officer.
The Federation was
established to represent its members at the highest levels and it is regularly
consulted by Government Departments on regulatory issues and has considerable
influence with these departments on matters relating to cremation and burial.
The Federation carries out 16 visits of crematoria per year. The visits are
carried out within the normal working week and the visiting party consists of
the President and two Technical Officers and on occasions they are accompanied
by a representative of Government Departments such as the Ministry of Justice or
Defra. During the visit an audit is made of the statutory and operational
requirements with a report being sent to the cremation authority following the
visit.
Statistics
A very important aspect of the
Federation's work is the gathering of statistical information from all
crematoria each year. This information is compiled and then published and
circulated to its members, Government Departments and other associated
professional organisations.
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Cremator Operator Training
The Federation operates a
scheme for the training and examination of crematorium technicians. The TEST
scheme which started in January 2004 allows operators to be trained at their own
place of work and supplements their training in procedures appropriate for the
competent operation of cremators, compliance with the appropriate Regulations
and Codes of Practice and prepares the candidate for a practical exam in
cremator operation. The course is available on compact disk and a mentor, who is
an experienced and certificated operator, will be appointed to train the
candidate in the safe operation of the cremation equipment.
In the instance of a newly established crematorium which does not have existing
certificated staff, the Federation will be able to assist with locating a
crematorium at which suitable training can be given.
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Cemetery Operative Training
In response to
requests from member organisations, the Federation provides a comprehensive
range of training courses aimed at cemetery and groundwork services, which will
be of particular interest to Burial Authorities.
All cemetery training is carried out by fully qualified experienced instructors
and aimed at improving the skills of cemetery operatives, to achieve high
standards of competency.
The range of courses has been developed over the last six years to include:
- Measuring and layout of new grave sections
- Grave digging/erection of soil boxes
- Shoring of graves
- Safe use of excavators
- Safe use of dumpers
- Memorial testing
- Reinstatement of memorials
Each course is tailored to meet your specific needs, carried out at the
candidate's own cemetery, with their own equipment, in their own working
environment. Successful candidates will receive Federation Certificates of
Competence in individual areas of experience.
Annual Conference
The Federation is one of two principal sponsors of the annual Cremation &
Burial Conference & Exhibition and recent conferences have attracted a large
number of delegates from the United Kingdom and overseas with papers delivered
on a range of very topical issues. In addition to the busy programme there was
an extensive display of burial and cremation equipment and ancillary products
for delegates to view.
The Federation supporting the Bereavement Services Sector
The Burial and Cremation Advisory Group has been set up to improve
communications within the burial and cremation industry. While primarily
concerned with the provision, management and maintenance of cemeteries the Group
also deals with cremation related issues. The Federation is represented on this
Group.
The Federation is also represented on the Management Board of the British
Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM). The aim of the scheme is to try
to achieve a register of accredited memorial masons and to develop a scheme
whereby standards of memorial fixing within cemeteries is consistent and
consequently raising the standards of safety within our cemeteries.
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