A major upgrade of Falkirk Crematorium gets underway at the end of January 2017.
The £3.2 million refurbishment of the crematorium, which opened in 1962, will be carried out in two phases to bring it up to current standards and improve the comfort for grieving family and friends.
While the crematorium itself will be open for cremations throughout the refurbishment process, there will be a temporary halt on the crematorium chapel being used for services from January to June 2017 while it is extended to accommodate larger services. The chapel will be closed from Monday 23 January.
The work will be carried out in two phases:
- Phase 1 – Chapel refurbishment, no access to the chapel at all. All services will have to be held at other locations
- Phase 2 – Cremator replacement, phased replacement of the cremators. The Chapel will be available for services but there will be no cremations at the weekend.
Councillor Dr Craig Martin, spokesperson for Environment said: “This is a significant investment for the Crematorium and its first major upgrade since it opened in the 1960s.
“Unfortunately building and improvement works on this scale will cause disruption to normal services in the crematorium chapel.
“We are working closely with funeral directors and faith groups and will continue to keep them up to date with information on the works, timescales and any changes to current arrangements.”
The services which are normally held at the chapel will need to take place at other locations. Funeral directors will be able to assist families in their selection of an alternative location for services, ensuring the needs of families are met. Charges for cremations will be reduced to allow families flexibility to arrange for alternative locations for services without incurring additional expense.
The closure will allow for essential refurbishment and repair work which will result in a number of improvements, they include:
- The chapel will be refurbished and extended to cater for larger services
- The loggia leading from the chapel will be partly enclosed with a glass screen to allow a more private setting
- Entrance and exit of the crematorium will be redesigned to reduce congestion at busy times
- Replacement of the three cremators
- Improved access at the main entrance to the building
- Increase the number of toilets for the public.
A wide ranging consultation on bereavement services has taken place. Feedback included improving the accessibility to the building, the creation of a more enclosed corridor from the current floral tribute area, extended service times and increased parking. Services have been extended to 45 minutes and additional car parking is now in place.
The Book of Remembrance will be moved to an alternative location near the crematorium during refurbishment for those wishing to pay their respects. The public will still have access to the cemetery, the Garden of Remembrance and the SANDS memorial.
Find out more about the Crematorium upgrade or pick up an information leaflet in council offices and public buildings.