New year – new crematorium for Caerphilly
The first crematorium and memorial garden within Caerphilly County Borough is set to open early in 2021.
The development, which will serve more than 150,000 people, is being built by Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner-operator of crematoria and cemeteries.
Westerleigh already has 34 sites nationwide, including three crematoria in Wales.
The brand new, purpose-built Sirhowy Valley Crematorium, at Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, means that, for the first time, over 100,000 local residents will have a crematorium within a 30-minute journey of their homes.
The crematorium has been sympathetically designed to offer a place of peace and seclusion within the picturesque natural setting in the heart of the valley.
The chapel is light and spacious, finished in Welsh pennant stone, render and bespoke hardwood joinery with neutral colours and with picture windows along one side.
It is fitted with a state-of-the-art media system and two large screens, providing live webcasts and visual tributes and will be surrounded by well-maintained memorial gardens.
The four-hectare site also features a floral terrace, set slightly away from the chapel, offering a tranquil area for families and friends to gather following their service.
Kevin Davies, Westerleigh Group Regional Manager for Wales, said: “We are very much looking forward to being much more accessible to the people of Caerphilly County Borough at our modern, new crematorium.
“Our many years of experience in the bereavement sector, and our focus on providing exceptional care, will ensure that the service we provide will be of the highest standards.
“This new crematorium will provide a local facility for people who, before now, may have had to travel more than ten miles to their nearest crematoria.
“We also understand and appreciate the importance of providing appropriate time and space for families; our normal service times will be offered at hourly intervals to ensure families do not feel rushed.
“We look forward to welcoming people to Sirhowy Valley Crematorium in the new year.”
Westerleigh Group says it hopes its latest crematorium will be ready to open in mid-to-late January 2021.