Reforms introduced over handling of babies' ashes at crematoria

Sweeping new reforms to ensure all bereaved parents are given back the ashes of their babies come into force today.

It follows an independent report which found that 60 families who used Shrewsbury's Emstrey crematorium between 1996 and 2012 were never handed back the ashes of their babies.

Under the changes, a new statutory definition of ashes will be introduced to ensure that all ashes of babies are given back to the bereaved parents without delay.

A national cremation working group of experts will be set up to advise ministers on the issue.