The decision to remove the large wooden cross at Accrington crematorium will clearly provoke a lot of debate.

Hyndburn Council has decided that the cross will be taken out of the crematorium so that no offence is given to secular groups and that any families wanting the cross reinstating for a funeral service must ask for it.

This is the opposite approach to that taken by the majority of councils across East Lancashire.

You can certainly understand the viewpoint of the Bishop of Burnley — the cross is of major significance to everyone of the Christian faith.

But as Hyndburn cemeteries boss Ken Moss points out, a growing number of humanist and non religious ceremonies are being held at the Burnley Road premises.

Surely the main point here is that grieving families who are trying to cope with so much, are not caused further upset by the appearance or otherwise of the cross at the crematorium.

Having made their decision to take the cross out unless it is requested, the onus falls firmly on the crematorium staff to work with local undertakers to check what families require for the funeral in advance of the cortege pulling up outside.

We can’t have the unseemly sight of staff scrabbling around at the last minute.