Hereford Crematorium handed a cheque for £8,000 to Marie Curie recently, with the donation being made possible thanks to a national metal recycling scheme that has allowed the Crematorium to donate over £70,000 to local charities since 2011.

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) launched their metal recycling scheme in 2005 as a way to recycle the metal recovered from cremated remains instead of burying them. Participating crematoria are asked to nominate a local bereavement charity to be given a share of surplus monies from the recycling process each year.

Metals are not recycled without the next of kin’s permission, which is sought at the time of the funeral arrangements.

Sarah Harris, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, said: “Receiving this incredible donation will be an invaluable help to us continuing to provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness within Herefordshire. Whether that be from our hands on care or our free information and support line reaching those across Herefordshire, we aim to ensure everyone living with a terminal illness has the right care and support when they reach the end of their lives.

We are so incredibly grateful for being chosen to receive this donation and are so thankful to Herefordshire Council.”

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