The Ipswich Crematorium management has erected signs in the driveway to reserve parking spaces for funeral officiants. The significance of the wording is important. Where other crematoria still have parking spaces signed as reserved for ‘clergy’, these use the word ‘officiant’ – a neutral term that includes religious ministers, civil celebrants and humanist celebrants. Thank you, Ipswich Borough Council.

Crematoria are owned and run by local authorities, such as Ipswich and Colchester, or private companies such as the Westerleigh Group, which owns West Suffolk Crematorium. The church has no claim to them and the clergy is one user group among several.

Tags: Crematorium, Parking+sign