Apology over scattered ashes rule

A crematorium boss has apologised to a man who was refused permission to scatter his mother-in-law's ashes in the shape of a cross in Cornwall.

Frank Stone was told the practice had been stopped at Penmount Crematorium in case people were offended.

Bereavement Services Manager Susan Cannan said: "Sometimes when we attempt to be politically correct, we get things wrong."

She said she had now issued instructions to allow the practice.

Ms Cannan said the rule was made by a predecessor and she saw no reason why religious symbols could not be used.

"I would like to apologise to Mr Stone and his family," she told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"In future families will not be distressed like Mr Stone's was."

Mr Stone told the radio station he would not have been offended to have seen ashes scattered in the shape of a Muslim crescent or a Jewish Star of David.