Released on: November 26, 2007, 6:55 am

Press Release Author: Jenna Weekes/Dorset Funeral Plan

Industry: Industrial

Press Release Summary: Cemeteries in Dorset look set to become safer as memorial
masons undertake extra training to prevent headstones becoming unstable.

Press Release Body: Ron Jenkins and Mike Holloway, of Anthony Ives Memorials in
Parkstone, Poole, are among a select few in the county to qualify at anchoring
gravestones using secure stainless steel fixings.

They gained the new qualification from the British Register of Accredited Memorial
Masons.

Ron, manager of Ives & Shand Funeral Service, said: "The tragic stories of three
children in the UK who died due to falling memorials have sparked a need to improve
safety at cemeteries nationally. We're proud of the safety record at Anthony Ives
but welcome the extra level of protection this accreditation brings."

Ron added: "Although not every cemetery or churchyard asks for its masons to have
this qualification -they could do soon. It gives extra reassurance that the
headstones we put up remain safe for as long as possible.

"These headstones can be very heavy - the course also gave us extra tips on how to
protect ourselves from lifting injuries."

The men work extensively in local cemeteries and churchyards fitting memorials and
making old headstones safe. Although the majority of the work carried out is for
the six companies within the Dorset Funeral Plan, Anthony Ives also fix and tend to
memorials for outside organisations.

The firm is also a member of the National Association of Memorial Masons, an
organisation that promotes quality workmanship and encourages participation in
training.

Dorset Funeral Plan includes A.E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, F.C. Douch & Sons,
Ives & Shand Funeral Service, James Smith and Lesley Shand Funeral Service.

They're based in Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Wimborne, Swanage and Corfe Mullen.


Web Site: http:///www.funeraldirector.co.uk/

Contact Details: F. C. Douch & Son (Funeral) Ltd
7 Leigh Road
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 1AB

01202 882936