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Concerns over cremation backlog Concerns over cremation backlog
(about 5 hours later)
Bereaved families are having to wait up to 12 days to have their loved ones cremated in Aberdeen, it has emerged.Bereaved families are having to wait up to 12 days to have their loved ones cremated in Aberdeen, it has emerged.
The backlog is being blamed on the breakdown of one of incinerators at the Hazlehead crematorium as well as the busy Christmas and New Year period. The backlog is being blamed on the breakdown of one of the incinerators at the Hazlehead crematorium as well as the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Aberdeen City Council said contingency plans were in place which would see cremations taking place in Perth.Aberdeen City Council said contingency plans were in place which would see cremations taking place in Perth.
The machines are due to be replaced in three years but there are now calls for the council to replace them earlier.The machines are due to be replaced in three years but there are now calls for the council to replace them earlier.
The usual waiting time for cremations is four days.The usual waiting time for cremations is four days.
Chris Smith's brother Gordon Mearns died on New Year's Day, aged 75.Chris Smith's brother Gordon Mearns died on New Year's Day, aged 75.
Mrs Smith finally said goodbye to him on Wednesday, the first time since then that the cremation could take place.Mrs Smith finally said goodbye to him on Wednesday, the first time since then that the cremation could take place.
She said the delay had been difficult.She said the delay had been difficult.
"You want things done with dignity," she said."You want things done with dignity," she said.
"You want them to be done how they would've wanted."You want them to be done how they would've wanted.
"And this delay does cause extra anguish.""And this delay does cause extra anguish."
'Not acceptable''Not acceptable'
Local funeral director Ian MacIntosh said unreliable equipment should be replaced.Local funeral director Ian MacIntosh said unreliable equipment should be replaced.
"Because of the delicate nature of the situation, there shouldn't be a recurrence of this every couple of months - it's not acceptable," he said."Because of the delicate nature of the situation, there shouldn't be a recurrence of this every couple of months - it's not acceptable," he said.
"I appreciate that the cost of replacing the equipment is immense, but the council have had plenty of time to address the situation.""I appreciate that the cost of replacing the equipment is immense, but the council have had plenty of time to address the situation."
Derek Snow, the crematorium's superintendent, said: "The problem was that after we came in from the New Year period, we had about 60 cremations booked in.Derek Snow, the crematorium's superintendent, said: "The problem was that after we came in from the New Year period, we had about 60 cremations booked in.
"Because this problem has arisen, it's taken us a couple of weeks to get sorted out."Because this problem has arisen, it's taken us a couple of weeks to get sorted out.
"There's not a backlog of cremations as such, but unfortunately people are having to wait a couple of weeks for a cremation time.""There's not a backlog of cremations as such, but unfortunately people are having to wait a couple of weeks for a cremation time."