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WesT LOTHIAN crematorium opens
April 2010
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A new crematorium in the heart of West Lothian is set to be opened next week (April 26th) in Cousland Wood, Livingston.
The new service is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh and West Lothian Council following an extensive tender process where Westerleigh were selected for the quality of their design and national experience.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased to work with Westerleigh to deliver an important new crematorium facility in West Lothian. We are confident they will deliver a quality new facility, which will meet a significant need for the people of West Lothian.”
The local authority provided the site, a 25 acre woodland in the heart of their district, easily accessible from the two major centres of Bathgate and Livingston. The size of the site and its natural tree-lined boundary has allowed a very private and secluded place to be created. The grounds have also been carefully designed to ensure that the natural landscape is retained, a point emphasised during the hard winter where the wood was covered in snow for nearly four months.
‘There was still a substantial amount of snow on the ground in late February and the whole place looked magical especially with the white capped hills in the distance and the deer running along through the woods’ added Westerleigh’s Managing Director, Richard Evans.
Work will continue on the grounds during the spring and early summer and will be shaped with a softly undulating landscape, shaped with pools and burns of running water. All framed within the backdrop of a mature woodland. ‘We are just very keen to complete this scheme now as everyone can see what a wonderful site it will be and we have received fantastic support from local funeral directors and clergy’ added Mr Evans ‘Hopefully we will be serving them soon and providing a special place for the community of West Lothian to hold their funerals’. A fact confirmed by Jim Brodie, a local funeral Director: ‘ We are delighted to see the new crematorium as it is a service that people in this area have desperately needed for a very long time. The crematorium will be much more conveniently placed and is specifically designed to cater for the people of West Lothian. It is also set in a lovely, natural spot and people have time to hold their service without being hurried along’. The Crematorium has been designed to meet the different needs of the bereaved, regardless of faith or belief, and the chapel can be altered to ensure that a fitting environment can be provided for any funeral. Modern music and lighting systems have been installed and the building has a light, natural look in sympathy with its rural surroundings.
Call Richard Evans on 07973 297 172 for further information.
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Other features include:
- Retention of historic woodland around the boundary of the site. Further planting of semi-mature trees together with shrubs, flowers and hedgerow are planned as conditions improve.
- A large natural pond on the approach to the chapel.
- Built in natural materials in keeping with traditional style.
- Seating for approximately 100 people plus standing room for many more.
- A walled garden can be viewed on the right hand side of the chapel with a water feature at its centre.
- A modern computerised music system with loop facility and a traditional organ.
- Formal car parking for 75 cars. Carole Taylor, Manager at West Lothian added, “As a local person I know how much this crematorium is needed and I am sure that families will appreciate the natural setting and general peace and tranquillity. We know how difficult bereavement is and will ensure that we provide the best possible level of care to everyone who holds a funeral here.” ENDS further information:
- The cremator equipment is fitted with modern filtration equipment which meets the very latest environmental standards and will ensure that the process is effectively clear to air.
- First year forecast is 600 funerals.
- Final figure will be approximately 1000 funerals per year.
- Cremation fee is £545 which is less than crematoria in Edinburgh: Mortonhall Crematorium, operated by City of Edinburgh Council, charges £579 and Warriston crematorium, operated by the Edinburgh Crematorium company, charges £565. Falkirk crematorium, operated by Falkirk Council charge £641. Our fee includes all charges – organist, medical fees etc.
- Initial reaction from families, clergy, FDs has been very positive – everyone likes the fact that the buildings and grounds blend into the rural environment.
- Memorial gardens will be developed over the next few weeks with an emphasis on living memorials such as trees, gardens and shrubs.
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Wessex Vale crematorium opens
Dec 2009
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A new crematorium to serve Eastleigh, and its surrounding areas, opened before Christmas and has helped to ease pressure on bereaved families and funeral directors during a very difficult period. Suffering a loss around Christmas is always particularly distressing and the situation is often made worse by the fact that many crematoria are very busy at this time of year with families forced to wait two weeks or more for a space at the crematorium. The opening of Wessex Vale is therefore well timed and provides a convenient choice to the overstretched facilities at Portchester and Southampton. A fact confirmed by Nigel Chamberlain: ‘ Many of the families that I serve have chosen Wessex Vale because it is quiet and easy to get to. The crematorium is set in a lovely, natural spot and people have time to hold their service without being hurried along’.
The Crematorium has also been designed to meet the different needs of the bereaved, regardless of faith or belief, and the chapel can be altered to ensure that a fitting environment can be provided for any funeral. Modern music and lighting systems have been installed and the building has a light, natural look in sympathy with its rural surroundings. Other features include: ·
- Retention of historic woodland around the boundary of the site. Further planting of semi-mature trees together with shrubs, flowers and hedgerow are planned when weather conditions allow!
- A large natural pond on the approach to the chapel.
- Built in native Hampshire red brick to match the traditional look of the area.
- Seating for approximately 100 people plus standing room for many more.
- A walled garden can be viewed on the right hand side of the chapel with a water feature at its centre.
- A modern computerised music system with loop facility and a traditional organ.
- Formal car parking for 75 cars.
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Lisa Johnson, Manager at Wessex Vale added, “A new, modern crematorium is very much needed in this area and we have been pleased to help so many local people during our first few weeks. Once the weather improves we will get to work in the grounds to tidy up the lawns and carry out further planting and we will ensure that the local community receives the best level of service possible.”
further information:
- There are two cremators with modern filtration equipment which meets the very latest environmental standards and will ensure that the process is effectively clear to air.
- First year forecast is 750 funerals.
- Final figure will be approximately 1500 funerals per year.
- Fee is £525 which is less than both Basingstoke and Southampton. Our fee includes all charges – organist, medical fees etc.
- Initial reaction from families, clergy, FDs has been very positive – everyone likes the fact that the buildings and grounds blend into the rural environment.
- Memorial gardens will be developed in the spring with an emphasis on living memorials such as trees, gardens and shrubs.
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