New chapel set to open its doors for services

A new chapel at Darlington Crematorium is set to open its doors for the first time for funeral services.

The chapel, within the grounds of West Cemetery, on Carmel Road North, offers increased capacity and upgraded facilities including a nearby car park, a waiting room, accessible toilets and baby change. Individual music, tribute screens and webcasting facilities are also available for services.

As part of the project the existing crematorium has also been fully refurbished to accommodate new cremators and key equipment. The cemetery and crematorium team has also moved to a new office at the site, with the Book of Remembrance Room also relocating to the front of the building.

The chapel will host its first services from 9am on Monday, April 24. The venue can be used for services of any faith and for non-religious ceremonies and allows up to 120 mourners to be seated, with further facilities available for larger services if needed.

Ian Thompson, assistant director for community services, said: “This has been a long project to create new, modern facilities in the historic cemetery, which it was important to complete without disturbing the peace of the cemetery or interrupting services.

“The upgraded chapel offers more space for people attending services and up to date equipment for funeral directors.”

During the construction of the new chapel, which also included the installation new utilities and IT networks, cremation and burial services have continued without interruption.

The Victorian West Cemetery Chapel will remain use and will host services prior to burials at any of the three council-run cemeteries in the town.