Fife Council has apologised to mourners caught up in chaotic scenes at Dunfermline crematorium as funerals are still going ahead alongside major building work.
One source said he felt “heart sorry” for those attending services and criticised the lack of dignity shown to the dead and those gathering to say their goodbyes.
He said: “I was horrified to find out the waiting room is no longer, the toilets are no longer, there is no running water and the car park is not even accessible.
“This is a building site, not acrematorium.”
He added staff “were terrific” but put the woes down to middle or senior management who arranged the works. It is simply not dignified.”
Meanwhile, Margaret Dow, a partner in Ewing Funeral Service, said there had been no notification and the level of disruption had not been anticipated.
“It is a major problem,” she added.
“There is a lack of respect being shown.”
She said she was apologising when the chaos was not of their making.
“I was at Kirkcaldy crem and was accosted by someone who had been atDunfermline the day before and I wassaying I am sorry we are apologising on their behalf and we did not know anything about it.”
Commending the staff on the ground for trying to work through difficult circumstances she added: “They are trying to do their best but their hands are tied. There needs to be someone higher up to sort this.”
Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley wrote to Fife Council after being shocked at what he witnessed while attending two funerals.
Traffic problems, with mourners using both entrance and exits and unable to work out where to go, seemed to be caused by “sheer madness” of poorly positionedworkmen’s huts.
“It would seem that no one has given any thought whatsoever for the impact that this will have on the families and mourners.”
Another mourner was amazed the hearse could get past the maze of parked cars.
“Everyone is hemmed in, cars are parking everywhere and out on to the main road.
“People should have been told about this and given the option whether to hold a funeral here.
“No one seems to have been given any prior warning of this work,” she added.
While it seems there are toilet facilities, they are located in a lodge, a long distance from the crematorium itself which is not ideal for the elderly or disabled.
And they had not been signposted in any case.
Confirming the toilets and waiting rooms were being upgraded, Fife Council’s bereavement services manager LizMurphy apologised “most sincerely” to anyone attending a funeral in the last few days who was inconvenienced.
“We understand the sensitivity around carrying out any work at our cemeteries and crematoriums as a funeral is anemotional and stressful time for the people involved.
“We try at all times to be sensitive to those who are mourning.”
However, the work was essential and it was not possible to keep the toilets open.
She said the council was working to keep disruption to a minimum for the 12-week project by carrying out work in the afternoons and evenings as currently services are only being conducted in the morning.
She said traffic problems had been resolved with full access to the main car park and clearly marked signs in place.