Shrewsbury baby ashes scandal: Campaigner welcomes changes to law
Further changes to how child cremations are carried out have come into force after a Shropshire campaign.
The new regulations will introduce an application form, which will explain to families that in some cases ashes may not be returned.
The changes have been brought about after the efforts of the Action for Ashes campaign group – set up by Glen Perkins after it emerged that up to 60 families did not have their children's ashes returned after cremations at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury between 1996 and 2012.
Mr Perkins, from Shrewsbury, said it means families will be able to make an informed decision about cremation and have the chance to change their mind.
Mr Perkins' four-month-old daughter Olivia died from sudden infant death syndrome in 2007 and was cremated at Emstrey Crematorium.
The day before her funeral, they were told there would be no remains.
Mr Perkins believes the latest changes are a 'marked improvement' but that more still needs to be done.
Clarity
He said: "The biggest thing we would like to happen, in the future, is the appointment of an inspector of crematoria, which is something we have mentioned a number of times.
"I am delighted that these new regulations have come in to force and there is now a lot more clarity for families.
"But we still need an inspector of crematoria and that is something I will continue to push for. If we are going to have full transparency, an inspector is needed.
"I know that will be further expense to the government but it is a necessity.
"For me it is like looking at the world through a veil of tears. Mentally it is a constant drain – a battle. But I have got a lot of hope and I am not going to give up. I will keep the pressure on. I am so pleased with these changes, it is fantastic but I hope we can change even more."
The latest changes follow on from new regulations that were brought in around cremations in September 2016, when a National Cremation Working Group, made up of representatives from the cremation and funeral industries, voluntary organisations and medical professionals, was established.
