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Families who lost loved ones during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic are being consulted by by Sefton Council on their plans for the scattering of ashes.

During 2020 and 2021 the scattering of ashes was prevented nationally as a result of the pandemic’s impact on day-to-day life, which means some families are only now getting the chance to properly pay their respects to those they have lost.

Although families were put on an appointment list to scatter their loved ones ashes at gardens of rest within Sefton, the Council is finding that many families have since opted to hold alternative services in other locations of personal importance.

As a result, the Council is asking those families still wishing to make an appointment at one of the Local Authority’s gardens of rest to get in contact to set a date.

David Clay, Sefton Council’s Burials and Cremations Manager, said: “It is impossible to describe the upset and pain that families who lost loved ones during those early days of the pandemic went through.

“Unavoidable safety restrictions meant families were unable to pay tribute to those who passed away in a conventional way and we understand that the effects of what happened are still being felt.

“The scattering of ashes at our gardens of rest have resumed and we are in the process of contacting families.

“However, many have told us that as a result of lifted restrictions they have opted for alternative ceremonies or scatterings at locations of significance to those who passed.

“We fully empathise with this decision but want to make sure that families who still want to scatter ashes are able to do so.

“We would encourage those families who still want to hold a scattering within our gardens to contact us directly to reconfirm their request.

“This will enable us to speed up the process for families who still want appointments in the garden of remembrance so they have the opportunity to pay their respects at the earliest opportunity.”

To contact Sefton Council’s Cemeteries and Crematorium team please call Thornton Garden of Rest on 0151 924 5143 or Southport Crematorium on 01704 533443

The deadline to ensure you are registered to vote in the upcoming local elections is just a few days away.

On Thursday May 5th, 2022 thousands of residents across Sefton will cast their vote on who they want to see represent them and their neighbours on the Local Authority’s borough council.

This year there will be voting in 21 of 22 wards in Sefton. Voting will not take place in St Oswald ward as the candidate ran uncontested.

Local government elections elect councillors, who are responsible for making decisions on running services in your local area. These include housing, education, transport, planning, parks, leisure, fire and public safety, social care and waste management.

In order to vote in this important election, residents must be on the electoral register. If you are not registered to vote then you can apply on line at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The deadline to register to vote in the local elections is Thursday April 14th and Sefton Council is asking residents who have not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said said: “This is the last week where you can take quick and easy steps to ensure your name is on the electoral register at your home address.

“We do not want residents to miss out. These elections are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here across Sefton.

“If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote.”

If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote.

If in doubt, check your details by giving us a call on 0345 140 0845

To register to vote visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote