Dear Ms Williams

REF: 2010/COR0140 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION- INFORMATION REQUEST

I acknowledge your request received on 24 February 2010

Your request is being considered and you will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third party.

If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font size, or electronically. If you require alternative formats, e.g. language, audio, large print, etc. then please let me know.

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may prevent release of the information you have requested. There will be an assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then the information will not be released. You will be informed if this is the case, including your rights of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to release the information to you. You will be informed if this is the case.

There may a fee payable for this information. This will be considered and you will be informed if a fee is payable. In this event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and released. The 20 working day time limit for responses is suspended until receipt of the payment.

If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information is available from the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, Telephone: 01625 545 700, http://www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Alison Ross-Dow
Senior Information Management Officer
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Information Management Team/Finance & Corporate Services
2nd Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension
King Street
London W6 9JU
DL: 020 8753 2455

www.lbhf.gov.uk

Director of Finance & Corporate Services: Jane West

Dear Ms Williams

REF: 2010/COR0140 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION- INFORMATION REQUEST

I must apologise for the delay in responding to you on this matter. Your request has now been considered and our response is as follows:

1.) How much profit did the council make from bereavement services(cemeteries and crematoriums) in 2009 and in 2008?

The council did not make any profit from providing bereavement services in either 2008 or 2009

2.) What was the profit spent on?

Not applicable - see Q1

3.) Is any of the council tax we pay used to maintain crematorium gardens?

The council does not have its own crematorium

4.) Do the council provide any assistance for those who cannot afford funeral costs?

Under certain circumstances, the council will organise and finance funerals.

5.) Could you provide me with a financial breakdown of outgoings for the council's crematoriums in previous years? eg.) gardeners fees.

The council does not have its own crematorium

6.)A 5 year lease on a memorial rose bush costs up to £250. Can you provide a breakdown on how this money is spent?

The council does not offer a memorial rose service

7.) How many crematoriums in Hammersmith and Fulham are privately owned and how many are owned by the council?

There are no crematoriums in Hammersmith & Fulham

8.) How much have funeral costs risen in Barnet in the last ten years?

In the year 2000 the cost of purchase of a grave space for a resident was £280.00 and the interment fee £170.00. Up to 31st March 2010 resident purchase fee £1102.50 interment fee £997.50

If you are dissatisfied in any way you may write to the Information Manager, Business Technology, 2nd Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension, London W6 9JU
Once you have exhausted the complaints procedure you may appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, Telephone: 01625 545 700, http://www.ico.gov.uk<http://www.ico.gov.uk/>

Yours sincerely,

Jon Hill
Senior Information Management Officer
Information Management Team Jon Hill
Senior Information Management Officer
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Information Management Team/Finance & Corporate Services
2nd Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension
King Street
London W6 9JU
DL: 020 8753 5865

www.lbhf.gov.uk

Director of Finance & Corporate Services: Jane West

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