Orbitas Bereavement Services raise thousands for St Luke's Hospice

December 2016

St Luke’s Hospice is the lucky recipient of a cheque for £4,337 from Orbitas, Bereavement Services, earned through a national recycling scheme that Orbitas belongs to. The Metal Recycling Scheme is a national scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).

Cllr Rachel Bailey, Leader of the Council said:

“The recycling of metals following a cremation of a deceased person is being done with the written consent of each bereaved family. Following a cremation, the cremated remains may contain metal from orthopaedic implants such as hip or knee replacement joints as well as items from the construction of the coffin. The metals, always with the consent of the bereaved family are recycled by the ICCM with proceeds shared between its members to donate to a charity of their choice.”

Cllr David Marren, Chairman of Orbitas said:

“We provide a professional and caring service to all the bereaved whilst being aware of the environmental impact of cremation. The recycled metals scheme run by the ICCM since 2006 in partnership with a Dutch company called Orthometals, allows the donation of funds to charities and this reflects Bereavement Services’ ethos to make a difference to the communities we serve and to make the least impact on the environment.”

The Institute of Cemeteries and Crematorium Management (ICCM announced, in September 2015, that the Recycling of Metals scheme in partnership with Orthometals, has now donated in excess of £2.0m to bereavement charities in the United Kingdom.  “ICCM would like to thank each scheme member and its staff, but most of all the bereaved themselves whose consent has enabled waste metal to be recycled and financial help to be provided to UK bereavement charities”.