ISSUE OF CREMATION ORDERS AFTER DEATH ABROAD

Early day motion 236, tabled 15 October 2001 by Edward O'Hara (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes that, with ever increasing numbers taking foreign holidays, including older people, it is sadly increasingly common for United Kingdom nationals to die whilst abroad; notes further the issue of cremation certificates in such cases is possible only from the coroner's department in the Home Office in London; is concerned that this is a cause of inconvenience, distress and often expense to families living at a distance from London at a time when they are already suffering the shock of bereavement in difficult circumstances; questions why this system continues to exist in an age of remote access to documentation; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to legislate to make this facility available through local coroner's offices.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.