Chief Executive Statement on National Cremation Investigation

29 June 2016

Following the publication of the National Cremation Investigation report, Aberdeen City Council issued an unreserved apology. In wishing to demonstrate that our current processes are of the highest standards and that lessons have been learned from past practice, the Council’s Chief Executive will be making a statement to Full Council tomorrow. This will be then followed by 1:1 interviews with the media.

Angela Scott, Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council said: “On behalf of the council I want to again apologise unreservedly to those grieving families affected by the historic practices, now stopped, at Aberdeen Crematorium. I know that this has resulted in significant distress and I am determined to begin the process of restoring public confidence.

I urge all those affected to call our helpline to seek any support that they may need.

Today I have asked my Heads of Legal and HR to consider in full the implications of Dame Elish’s report and recommendations. I will report their findings to Council in August.

I also today contacted the Inspector of Crematoria, Scotland and at my invitation he will undertake an inspection of Aberdeen Crematorium in the next few days. I will of course share the results of this inspection with Council.

Tomorrow I will be making a statement to Full council setting out the steps we will be taking to ensure that our processes and procedures are robust, and that we are continuing to restablish the right atmosphere of trust, openness and transparency."