Agenda item

To consider the Independent Equalities Review of Bereavement Services Provision which was commissioned to assess the end-to-end bereavement support and burial services for the Muslim community in Rotherham.

Consideration was given to the Independent Equalities Review of Bereavement Services Provision presented by the Monitoring Officer, which was commissioned to assess the end-to-end bereavement support and burial services for the Muslim community in Rotherham, thus encompassing the roles of statutory and community voluntary agencies before, during, and after bereavement.

Kaushar Tai, the specialist consultant commissioned to carry out the review, was asked to identify the need to learn from examples of good practice, explore areas for improvement and make key recommendations across all areas of services in Rotherham to ensure good practice was implemented wherever possible and practical to do so.

This report addressed each of the proposed recommendations highlighted within the review and provided a position statement on the current situation with these across the board.

The Chair invited Kaushar Tai to report his findings and in doing so he confirmed he had consulted with communities and bereavement services to review current practices with particular emphasis on Muslim burials within twenty-four  hours and comparisons with other religious practices.

Positive feedback from stakeholders had been received including from medical examiners, coroners, staff, bereavement services, mosques, and communities.

It was suggested that as part of the improvements in the process just simplifying requirements, streamlining processes with co-working and joined up working would be beneficial.  In addition, this would enhance and accommodate religious timelines especially with Muslim burials taking place without delay.  This was compromised with the new medical examiner requirements of a further check and whilst this was a legal requirement adherence would allow for the peaceful departure of the soul.  Not only did this help with the bereavement process, but assist with those wishing to mourn.

The report considered how best to address bottlenecks in the system and looked at flexible G.P. and medical examiner appointments and pathways.

Whilst training did take place there needed to be some competency training in bereavement services in other aspects, with improvements to staff recognising efforts, encouraging dialogue, building trust and co-operation and also adhering to Equalities Act 2010.

In addition, the need for full access to disabled and fair crisis centres was needed to prevent discrimination, protect characteristics and to coincide with reasonable accommodation outside normal hours to align to inclusivity.  

Respect for faith burials was important, provide dignity for traditions and, therefore, strengthen community trust.

The review also considered details about burial sites, headstone restoration, locating and relocating missing headstones, ongoing work around digital mapping of graves consistency in the size of the grave and separation distances. 

There was also a need to ensure clean maintenance around gravestones, active land allocation for future burials, appropriate spacing between graves, construction of pathways to ensure disabled access and taps for washing.

There was a need for exploration in community led burial practices to ensure consistency with appropriate commissioning from those involved. It was suggested that there be uniformity in burial practices with some bench installations and to take into account Muslim visitation practices with  car park provision to be managed.  This integrated partnership and collaborative work would promote clear communication and referral pathways.

A discussion and question and answer session ensued where the following were raised:-

·              Post mortems and use of digital autopsy, which was reported to be working well and a less invasive procedure, therefore, helping with timescales.

·              The need for collaborative EDI training and shared learning.

·              Action planning production and monitoring of the report recommendations and how this would coincide with the annual report on Bereavement Services in December.  Rotherham was also highlighted as an outrider for its communication with community members.

·              Drawing comparison with other Local Authorities Rotherham was on a par and was providing good integration with policy production of which there were several.  Consideration was being given to hosting all relevant documentation in one place with clear signposting to relevant services.

·              The key improvement recommendations highlighted on Page 18 were relevant a number of agencies and the term used generically.

·              The out of hours service running at an extra hour a day was to be increased following feedback and demand.

·              Enforcement action remained ongoing and negotiations with Dignity were robust and continuing.

·              The report set out clearly Rotherham had sufficient space for Muslim burials.

·              It may be effective to consult with other religions to ensure consistency. And secure improvements across the board. 

·              Numbers of religious burials each year data to be provided.

·              Consideration of moving maintenance schedules to later in the day to avoid early morning dew, whilst being mindful of the impact/disruption to those requiring reflection.

·              Provision of bench seating alongside sponsored provision and for this to be kept under review.

·              Informative documentation and education on sensitive burial practices and consideration of sharing some detail via neighbourhood bulletins.

·              Restrictions and permissions for headstone restoration.

·              Funding for stonework reinstatement and the need for discreet and sensitive improvements.

·              Costs associated with burials and the additional religious requirements set out via legislation.

·              Burial capacity and land acquisition.  The Council would ensure sufficient land was available.

·              The Council would not be responsible should arrangements be sought with private cemeteries.

·              Rolling out toileting provision at other cemeteries and the capital investment that would be required to fund such a provision.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Independent Equalities Review of Bereavement Services Provision be received and the contents noted.

(2)  That Officers produce an action plan to track the Council’s progress in relation to actions against the Independent Report and that this be brought back to the Improving Places Select Commission to accompany the Bereavement Services Annual report.

(3)  That data be provided on the number of religious burials each year.

(4)  That an article be included in the Neighbourhood newsletter about general burial processes.