I write in response to a letter by Margaret Pritchard (31.07.12). I, for one, agree with this lady and certainly accept that bereaved families will be upset by waiting times for funerals at the Greater Gwent Crematorium.

However, to date, the booking times have not been too removed from those in 2011. Having raised the subject with crematorium superintendent Paul Dundon, he confirmed that the average waiting time at August 2, 2011, was eight days; on August 2, 2012, it is 11 days; an extension of only three days.

He has also informed me that the times that building/engineering work takes place is not the relevant factor. The number of cremations are actually limited because only 50 per cent of the cremators are in use at any given time to allow essential work to take place on the ones not being used. And the cremator engineers have been working at weekends and up to 2am. The works being carried out are essential to meet regulations and will prevent the release of poisonous substances into the atmosphere. I can assure this lady that, as a local funeral director, I have also been concerned regarding the inconvenience that will be caused (possibly longer than 14 days) with the winter approaching. However, there are alternatives: that is to use the facilities of Thornhill Crematorium (Cardiff) and Glyn Taf Crematorium (Pontypridd) albeit approximately an extra 19 minutes travelling each way to both destinations, but alleviating any further stress.

Mike Ryan, Michael G Ryan Son and Daughters Ltd