Following a consultation earlier this year, Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council can confirm the final plans for memorial gardens to remember those affected by an incident at a funeral home will include a free offer of a named plaque, extra seating and bird baths.
Construction has begun at the chosen site in Hull, which is at the Northern Cemetery, below, with works anticipated to be completed by late-September.
A shorter build time is required at the site in the East Riding, which is at Lelley Fields Crematorium near Preston, below, where works are expected to begin this month and be finished by the end of the summer.
Hull City Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, Tracy Meyerhoff, who is leading the work to support the families and communities affected by the incident in Hull, said: “We wanted to make sure we’d taken on as many views as possible about the designs we proposed earlier this year, and we did receive a good amount of feedback during our consultation.
“Whilst the overall look of the gardens will remain largely the same, that feedback has led to some minor changes.
“We’re happy to make these suggested additions so that we can make sure that the gardens will be respectful and peaceful settings where ashes of those involved can be laid to rest, including the interment of ashes at the Hull site.”
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s recovery lead for the incident, and Director of Housing, Transportation and Public Protection, Angela Dearing, said: “We wrote to the families directly affected by this incident to seek their views ahead of opening up the consultation more widely to residents.
“Drop-in events were held in both Hull and Beverley to make sure that people had a number of ways to tell us what they thought, which included an online survey.
“With the designs now finalised, we’re pleased that the building work is underway.”
A private ceremony for families and loved ones to inter ashes at the Northern Cemetery memorial will take place later this summer.
Next of kin will be offered a named plaque to honour their loved one free of charge, and they will receive a letter at a later date which will set out their options, including which of the memorial gardens they would want it to be located at.
You can find out more about the consultation findings here: Memorial gardens | Legacy Independent Funeral Directors | Hull.
The independent charity Victim Support continues to run a dedicated helpline and support service for anyone affected by the incident on 0808 281 1136, or visit Legacy Funeral Homes Investigation | Affected by Crime.
