Salford bereavement charities are being given support from an unusual source.
After a cremation the ashes are likely to contain metals such as items used in the construction of the coffin or hip and knee replacement joints. In the past these metals were removed from the ashes and carefully buried in the grounds of the crematorium unless family members requested otherwise.
Now these metals are giving bereavement charities all over Europe much needed funds. Over £20,000,000 has been donated in the UK alone. To date, Salford Bereavement Services have donated £140,100.
Agecroft and Peel Green Crematoria are part of a national recycling scheme initiated by the Institute of Cemeteries and Crematorium Management (ICCM.) The ICCM works with a Dutch recycling company to collect and recycle metals from each crematorium in the scheme across Europe, unless family members object. Any funds raised are donated to local bereavement charities.
Salford City Council Bereavement Service’s nominated charities are:
Year | Charity | Amount donated |
|---|---|---|
2017 | St Ann’s Hospice | £5,000 |
2017 | The Lullaby Trust | £5,000 |
2018 | Salford Age UK | £5,000 |
2018 | Salford Royal Hospital Macmillan | £5,000 |
2019 | Salford Heart Care | £7,000 |
2019 | Once Upon a Smile | £8,000 |
2020 | Bereavement By Suicide | £10,000 |
2021 | Broughton House | £10,000 |
2022 | St Ann’s Hospice | £15,000 |
2022 | Once Upon a Smile | £12,000 |
2023 | Salford Heart Care | £12,000 |
2023 | Andys Man Club | £12,000 |
2024 | Francis House | £11,600 |
2025 | North West Air Ambulance | £12,500 |
2025 | North Care Charity SWAN | £10,000 |
Metals can be returned to you if you prefer. Please request this before the cremation takes place.
Photos of some of the donations being made
Below you can see donations being handed over to the following charities, Broughton House, Once Upon A Smile, Salford Heart Care and St Ann’s Hospice.
This page was last updated on 6 February 2026