Ruth will propose a motion to Council on 6 February which asks if interment fees for stillborn babies and children can be waived.
Liberal Democrat member motion
Council is sympathetic to the suffering of families in Oxford who experience the loss of stillborn babies and children and wishes to support grieving parents as much as it can.
Council notes that the number of interments of stillborns, babies and children in Oxford during the financial year 2015/2016 was as follows:
- Botley Cemetery – 7
- Headington Cemetery –
- 2 Wolvercote Cemetery – 6
- Total – 15
Council further notes that the average number of such interments between 1998 and 2016 has been 18 per year, with a peak of 23 in financial year 2007/2008.
Income for fees and charges for 2015/16 interments of stillborns, babies and children in Oxford totalled £5,100.
Council notes the debate on baby loss in the House of Commons on 13 October 2016 and the excellent support given by Sands Stillborn and Neonatal death charity, and understands that some local authorities do not make a charge in these circumstances.
Council therefore requests the Chief Executive to investigate whether a mechanism for waiving fees charged by the Council for the burial of children or stillborns of Oxford residents might be introduced.
Reference
Ruth comments, “One of the things we do as local councillors is to push for changes that will make a positive impact on the lives of people across the whole City. One of the ways to do this is to propose motions for debate in the Council Chamber. Here is the text of the speech to accompany it.”
The loss of a loved one is always very sad, but the loss of a much longed-for baby or infant must be almost unbearable. It is hard for us to comprehend how difficult it must be for grieving families to cope with this tragic circumstance at what should be a very happy time.
A baby that dies shortly after birth must by law be formally buried or cremated, although a funeral is not legally required.
It seems that a number of funeral directors in the Oxford area offer a simple funeral service free of charge in such cases, and some also make no charge for caskets.
Several local authorities have already introduced a waiver of fees in such circumstances, and others are considering this.
- South Oxfordshire District Council makes no charge for burial or exclusive rights of burial for persons under 18 years at time of burial.
- Southampton City Council makes no charge for interment to 4’6” for one baby or child in its cemeteries
- The Forest of Dean District Council makes no charge for interments in earthen graves, including digging of the graves, for stillborns and children 12 years and under.
- Wotton Town Council in Gloucestershire has removed fees for interments of under 5s, and halved its fees for children aged 5-12
- Yate Council has waived interment fees for under 5s
- Woking Borough Council is considering a motion on this issue later this week.
The figures supplied to me by an officer show that the income for 15 interments in Oxford City Council cemeteries during the financial year 2015/16 was £5,100.
I believe that Oxford City Council and all in this chamber would wish to do all it can to support grieving families at such an exhausting and upsetting time, and some families would find it hard to manage this additional financial burden.
This motion requests that the Chief Executive investigates whether it would be possible to introduce such a waiver at Oxford City Council cemeteries. The loss of this relatively small source of income would be offset by the compassion shown to grieving families by this Council on behalf of our wider community.