Human and animal remains cremated together - director

A Nelson funeral director is challenging the Nelson City Council over its use of an ageing back-up furnace at Wakapuaka Crematorium, which he claims is used to cremate both humans and pets.

The council has strenuously denied this, saying the two cremation processes are entirely separate.

Francis Day of Marsden House Funeral Services said he had seen pets and humans cremated in both furnaces at Wakapuaka, which he claimed was against the law.

"I was disgusted, and I've raised the issue with the council on a number of occasions."

The council provides an animal cremation service at the Wakapuaka Crematorium, and is planning to upgrade the furnace it uses as an animal incinerator. MORE>>