Firm apologises for problems at Dundee Crematorium

Management at Dundee Crematorium have apologised to bereaved families after an essential piece of equipment broke down during a funeral service.

The crematorium is one of 33 run by funeral services company Dignity. A spokesman for the West Midlands firm said the mechanical fault affected the platform which lowers the coffin out of view at the end of the service.

A number of funerals were affected but steps have been taken to ensure that there is no repeat.

“We are very sorry for any distress experienced by the families we serve,” said the spokesman. “During the last service of Thursday, February 10, there was a mechanical failure of the catafalque for the first time in 20 years due to a fault with the motor and hydraulic pump.

“We take the service we provide very seriously and specialist technicians regularly service the equipment. A backup device has now been fitted to stop this from happening again.

“Unfortunately, a small number of services were affected over the next few days due to this mechanical failure. Coffins were lowered into the cremator by hand with care and sensitivity in the presence of a religious leader.”