North Oxfordshire crematorium donates £38,000 to hospice thanks to recycling scheme

The little-known scheme gives families the opportunity to support local charities after the loss of a loved one. Within the last 18 months, it has raised thousands to boost the hospice’s funds.

The funding has been generated through North Oxfordshire Crematorium operator Memoria's participation in the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Metals Recycling Scheme.

The scheme enables metals recovered during cremation to be recycled, with the consent of families, through specialist recycling partner Orthometals.

These metals include orthopaedic implants, artificial joints and metals from the coffin. Rather than retaining any proceeds, participating crematoria donate them to bereavement charities of their choice.

The latest donation of £17,000 brings Memoria's partnership total with Katharine House Hospice to £37,982 since the hospice was selected as the crematorium's local charity in August 2024.

The partnership extends beyond fundraising, with the Memoria team volunteering at the hospice's annual Lights of Love remembrance event and helping to refresh the hospice's art room, creating a welcoming and calming space for Living Well patients to enjoy creative activities.

Vanessa Moor, site manager, said: "We are incredibly proud to support Katharine House through our ICCM charity partnership, recognising it as our essential local charity.

"Many people don't realise that, with a family's permission, metals recovered following cremation can be recycled to benefit charities supporting local communities. It is a privilege to know that this scheme is helping such an important organisation.

"Katharine House is a lifeline for our community. They ensure patients and their loved ones are treated with compassion, dignity and respect during the most difficult times. So many of the families we support have benefited from the hospice's care and speak so highly of the charity."

Sue Blank of Katharine House said: "We are thrilled to have Memoria's continued support. The team are a pleasure to work with - always keen to support the hospice, whether through volunteering, raising awareness of our work or through this fantastic recycling scheme.

"This partnership is about so much more than fundraising. It demonstrates how families can choose to create a lasting legacy in memory of a loved one while supporting other families who may need hospice care and bereavement support in the future."