A Manchester crematorium where "grieving friends and relatives have complained of the cold during services" will tackle the problem by using the "body heat" generated in the incineration process to crank up the temperature, the Telegraph reports.

Tameside Council says the energy output is enough to fire Dukinfield Crematorium's boiler and light the chapel, but admits it may prove a "sensitive" issue. The council's environment chief, Robin Monk, said: "I'm not sure how people will react, but we don't want to upset anyone. We will carry out full consultation with priests, vicars and the public before a decision is taken."

So far, the cunning plan has met with clerical approval. Rev Tim Hayes, of St John's Church, Dukinfield, told the Telegraph he had "no problem" with it, while Rev Vernon Marshall, of Old Chapel, offered: "As a final act of generosity, it's a lovely way for the dead to provide comfort for the living at a difficult time." ®

Bootnote

The first reader to ask why Tameside Council doesn't consider fuelling the boiler with frozen dogs will be banned from El Reg for a month.

Related stories

• Oz crematorium menaced by exploding dog (3 January 2008)
• UK crematoria eye heavyweight incinerators (18 April 2007)
• India pioneers the webcast cremation (26 November 2004)