A CHRISTIAN cross has been removed from a crematorium chapel so as not to offend secular groups.

The large wooden cross at Accrington crematorium will now only be put up for individual services on request.

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The decision, the first by an East Lancashire local authority, has ‘shocked’ former Hyndburn Tory group leader Peter Britcliffe and alarmed Anglican Bishop of Burnley Philip North.

Coun Britcliffe said: “This is another example of the creeping madness of political correctness undermining the traditional Christian values of our society in East Lancashire.

“The correct default position is for the cross to be in the chapel unless those organising a funeral ask for it to be taken down.”

Since 1956, the religious symbol has been a permanent fixture, only taken down if service organisers asked for it.

Following a £20,000 upgrade earlier this year, Hyndburn Council decided the cross should be removed and only restored at the request of a family wanting a Christian farewell for their loved one.

Hyndburn cemeteries boss Ken Moss said it reflected the growing number of humanist and non-religious funerals held at the Burnley Road venue.

But Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale councils all keep the cross in place at their funeral chapels unless asked to remove it by service organisers.

Cllr Moss said: “The large wooden cross was taken down during the recent refurbishment of the crematorium chapel.

“General guidance for crematoria is the building should be non-denominational so that it has the flexibility to make all families welcome whatever their beliefs.

“Most people with religious beliefs have a church service first and then go to the crematorium for the committal.

“At Accrington crematorium approximately 40 per cent of families state they have no religion and humanist services are very common now. “To cater for those families with religious beliefs the crematorium has a cross and crucifix available, which can be put up for services and taken down when not needed.

“Whilst this is a change at Accrington crematorium, it is usual industry practice.”

Cllr Britcliffe said: “I am shocked by this decision which is the wrong way round.

“I am no tub-thumping evangelical Christian but this cross has been in place at the building since 1956.”

Bishop Philip North said: “This approach at Accrington crematorium is symptomatic of actions often taken by secular authorities to strip away the outward signs of faith around us, but not for reasons the majority support.

“At the census a majority of people in Lancashire identified as Christian and many arriving at the crematorium will want, and indeed expect, the cross to be there to offer them comfort.

“Will the crematorium management proactively inform everyone they have the option to put the cross back up?

“If it’s a funeral of someone of another faith or none, remove the cross by all means, but have it in place for the majority who will still expect to see it.”

British Humanist Association chief executive Andrew Copson said: “It is no longer the case that most people are Christian in our country.

“On the grounds that it is right to treat everyone with equal respect, a policy that allows people to choose the cross rather than have it assumed as a default is good for everyone, religious or non-religious.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council has a cross fixed to the wall of its Pleasington crematorium chapel which can be removed for non-religious services.

Burnley’s Council crematorium has a large wooden cross fixed to the chapel wall which can be covered by a cloth if requested.

Pendle Council’s Colne and Nelson equivalents have freestanding crosses which can be turned round on request while Rossendale’s chapels in Haslingden and Rawtenstall keep similar freestanding symbols removed on request.

Its Whitworth chapel has a wall-mounted cross which is covered on request.

Ribble Valley and Chorley councils do not run crematorium chapels.

Muslim funerals are unaffected as they do not use crematorium chapels.