Torbay Council in Devon is accused of taking political correctness too far by removing the 5ft-tall gilt cross from the wall of the old chapel in the municipal crematorium.

It also anounced that the chapel would in future be known as the ceremony hall.

One chaplain has refused to conduct services in the hall until the wooden cross is returned. Peter Haywood, of the Seamen’s Christian Friends Society, said: “When I saw what had been done I refused to conduct a service until a wooden cross was back in the chapel. They laid the cross down on the floor under the catafalque, where the coffin is placed. I’m afraid I blew my top about this; a lot of people are very upset.”

Crematorium staff subsequently placed an 18-inch wooden cross on a low side table but churchmen say that it is too little, too late. They are demanding that the large cross is restored to its rightful place, along with a curtain that can be drawn during non-Christian services.

Alan Faulkner, Torbay Council’s executive member for Environmental Services, defended the decision to remove the cross. He said: “We live in a diverse, multi-faith society and many people have no specific beliefs at all. The facility at Torquay Crematorium is a ceremony hall, it is not a chapel.”

Mr Faulkner said that crematorium staff had received a number of requests to have the cross removed, even though this posed a danger to staff, who had to climb a ladder to take it down.

He said: “While I am a Christian, I fully support this decision as I recognise we have a duty as a council to cater for everyone. It is not our intention to offend or upset anyone by removing the cross from the wall.”

But the Rev Anthony Macey, the vicar of nearby Cockington, said: “That cross has been in the chapel for nearly 50 years. I am very angry about this. Calling the chapel a ceremony hall is ridiculous. It has been the chapel since the crematorium was built.”

Joanna Hamilton, of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, based in Wales, said crematoria were becoming increasingly aware that they must not favour any particular faith. She said: “The word ‘chapel’ favours a particular denomination and many crematoria are keen to promote inter-denominational facilities.”

Adrian Sanders, the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, asked: “Why don’t they just put the cross back and put a pair of curtains up?” Bill West, a funeral director, also condemned the council’s decision to remove the cross. He said: “Nobody from the council or the crematorium stopped to think. It is a chapel. It was dedicated as a Christian chapel by the bishop at the time.”

Another local funeral director, Kevin Lack, said: “I want the cross back. This has caused untold problems. Consideration to families and their feelings should be paramount.

“Out of the last 70 funerals I have organised at the crematorium only three or four have been non-religious services. Most people expect to see a cross in place.

“We are disappointed that the cross was removed without any discussion with the funeral directors who represent the bereaved families.”

Father Paul Connor, the Roman Catholic priest for Brixham, said: “It would have been wiser and more politic of the council to consult undertakers and the clergy before they did this.

“If the cross offends people they can cover it up. What about the Christians who are offended by its removal?”

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