Cemeteries and Crematorium
From April 2021 and for the coming year, construction work will be undertaken at West Cemetery, Carmel Road North to construct a new service chapel, which will provide increased capacity, up to date facilities and include a new car park, in addition the existing crematorium will be fully refurbished to accommodate the replacement of cremators and ancillary equipment and allow the relocation of the cemetery and crematorium office.
All cremation services throughout the year will take place within the West Cemetery Chapel with bookings taken on the hour throughout the day and the funeral director will transport the coffin to the crematorium for cremation following the service.
Visitors are encouraged to park in the existing car park, where a temporary toilet facility has been installed, and make their way to the West Cemetery Chapel for the service. For the layout and the route for pedestrians and vehicles see the current plan [pdf document].
From 19 July 2021, as England moves to step 4 on the roadmap, the Government has confirmed there will be no restriction to the number of mourners who can attend a funeral service, this will therefore open the West Cemetery Chapel to its capacity of 60 mourners inside the building (some standing at the rear). Outdoor speakers will accommodate excess numbers for those who still do not wish to assemble in the chapel or if the chapel is at capacity.
It is requested face coverings are still worn inside the building and a sanitiser unit will remain in use on entering the Chapel.
It is possible to arrange for the service to be viewed remotely by webcast and the family will need to arrange this through their appointed funeral director.
It is asked that anyone who is showing signs of the Coronavirus to not attend the service, however we will try to enable people who are self-isolating due to a possible case of Coronavirus in their household or who are in a clinically vulnerable or shielded group to attend.
Following the service mourners are asked to make their way back to the car park and exit through the main gates, new signs have been positioned in the cemetery to show the direction of travel.
From Monday 17 May 2021, the Book of Remembrance Room has relocated to the front of the crematorium building and continues to open daily from 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Should you wish, entries can still be viewed on line. View book entries online.
Burial services within the cemeteries are taking place with no restriction on the number of attendees, however it is asked if care can be taken when approaching staff and keep a safe distance.
The Cemetery Office at the Town Hall continues to be closed for public access, however should you require contact with the office, please call 01325 406744 or email: [email protected].
Information on registering a death.
You can find information on bereavement support on the COVID-19 health and wellbeing page
