GRIEVING families have received an apology after their loved ones’ funerals were disrupted due to failures at a crematorium.

Weeley Crematorium, located in Colchester Road, has been unable to properly carry out cremations on site due to issues with its cremators.

As a result of the broken equipment bodies have had to be cremated at a separate facility, while ceremonies for devastated families have still been held in Weeley.

The break-down of the cremators, which were installed in July 2015, comes just five years after a major £1.4million overhaul was carried out at the site.

Apologising, Michael Talbot, Tendring councillor responsible for environment, said: “I would like to say sorry to those families who are being impacted by these issues.

“We work hard to make services and this process as smooth as possible, because we understand how difficult a time it is for everybody involved.

“Due to a fault with our cremator we were unable to hold cremations at Weeley Crematorium.

“However, we continued to host services in our chapel, which we know is especially important for local families.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

The dodgy machinery has now been temporarily repaired and a full replacement is being planned by Tendring Council, which runs the facility.

Although a short-term fix has now been established, Mr Talbothas warned families to anticipate potential further disruption.

“We are now able to carry out some cremations at the site pending a further package of work and ultimately the full replacement of the equipment,” added Mr Talbot

“The replacement is a substantial procurement exercise which we are beginning.

“We will continue to try to keep the existing machinery working but have to acknowledge there may be the need to work with other cremator providers at times.

“In these cases the process of cremation is then carried out at another facility – when and where this happens is arranged by the funeral directors.

“We encourage them to make arrangements sensitively and facilitate the holding of coffins at Weeley Crematorium for a period of time.

“We are also regularly updating funeral directors with the situation and urge them to communicate this sensitively to their clients so they are fully aware.”