Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee has donated £10,000 to Ashgate Hospicecare. 

The charity, which provides specialist end of life care to patients with complex palliative care needs across North Derbyshire, will use the donation to help support its bereavement services, which have seen a surge in demand since the pandemic again. 

In addition to helping to fund their existing bereavement services such as one-to-one counselling, group support and art therapy, the donation will also fund the creation of bereavement information packs. 

The pack, which will be used by Ashgate Hospicecare’s community nursing team, includes information on how to register a death, who you must inform legally and where to find emotional and spiritual advice.  

Arlene Honeyman, Head of Supportive Care at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation which comes at a time when demand for our services has never been greater. 

“Our Supportive Care Team have been working tirelessly to give emotional, therapeutic and spiritual support to anyone in our community struggling with the loss of someone they love. This is given by our 16 staff who include specialist bereavement counsellors, chaplains and an art therapist who are supported by our 20 trained volunteer counsellors. 

“Sadly, the number of people within our community who are experiencing a bereavement is continuing to increase due to COVID-19. We are hearing from people every day who are unable to be by their loved one’s bedside in hospital and are unable to say a proper goodbye. 

“It really is a desperate situation for so many at this time, which is why our bereavement services and this donation is more important than ever.” 

Ashgate Hospicecare does not receive any statutory funding for its bereavement support, instead the service is entirely funded by voluntary donations. 

Right now, Ashgate is reporting a funding shortfall of £2.4 million, as a result of COVID-19 forcing the charity to close its shops for a third time and scale back or cancel fundraising events. 

Councillor Mary Dooley, Chair of Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee, said: 

“I believe that those who have lost loved ones will draw some comfort, knowing that their loss is in some way contributing to the tremendous efforts at Ashgate Hospicecare.   

“Our crematorium, working alongside the Institute of Cemetery and Cremation Management, has raised a tremendous amount over the years for many good causes and it has been great to hear the feedback from the charities about how this money is helping them with their excellent work.” 

Ashgate Hospicecare was nominated by the Joint Crematorium Committee to be the recipient of the proceeds from the Recycling of Metals Scheme in 2021. The scheme is in partnership with the Institute of Cemeteries and Crematorium Management.