The Bureaucratic Mind - Dead

Struck by a report in the Daily Telegraph - for which no link available, but which is also covered by the Mail here - that demonstrates the unthinking and 'box-ticking' mindset of the bureaucrat.

This is further amplified by the quote from the council spokesman, which in the Telegraph is reported as:

"We understand this has been a distressing time for this family but we are willing to listen if there are difficulties and extenuating circumstances that need to be considered."

It would seem that, possibly following reflection, the quote in the Mail was issued at a later date but which still shows a lack of forethought.

"We understand that sometimes more time may be preferred and so families are offered the chance to book extra time if they need it.....This means when funerals that have not taken up this option over-run, a fee is automatically charged. However, when we learned that there were extenuating circumstances we, of course, refunded the extra charge."

That any organisation should consider penalty charges at a time like this is beyond the comprehension of a normal person. Why not just extend the time 'allowed' for a cremation, thus negating any unforeseen, or extenuating, circumstances? To lose a loved one is a traumatic experience, to lose a child even more so for the parents involve - and to then have some unthinking, box-ticking, public 'official' even make a decision to impose a penalty shows what an utter idiot that 'official' is.

".....and so families are offered the chance to book extra time if they need it....."

Besides putting a price on the time we spend alive, it now appears that officialdom is intent on putting a price on the time we spend dead.

This council, and any other, that practices this type of 'cost-effectiveness' should be thoroughly ashamed of itself, its policy and of any employee who enforces it!