Crematorium hopes trial service will strike a chord with families

Families saying farewell to their loved ones at West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium can now use a new service which provides a unique personal tribute.

 

The crematorium has partnered with Our Song Request to offer families the option of cherishing their loved ones with studio-quality, custom-created songs.

 

Our Song Request has a network of professional singer-songwriters who will write the lyrics, compose the melodies and record a song to celebrate the whole life stories of loved ones.

 

Through the crematorium’s multi-media partner Obitus, the custom song can be incorporated into the funeral service itself, during moments of reflection or as the background to a tribute slide show.

 

West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 40 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

 

Memoria Advisor Kaz Mawdsley said: “Westerleigh Group is always looking for different ways to provide funeral services and memorials which are uniquely personal.

 

“Every life tells a story and a custom song offers a way of telling and celebrating that in a way that can be cherished and shared among family and friends for generations.

 

“Families are able to provide the songwriters with lots of information about their loved ones, such as their hobbies, interest and passions, personality and character traits, any specific details they wish to be included, and can even choose the ‘atmosphere’ of the song, such as ‘happy’ or ‘reflective’.

 

“The service costs £189 and if it proves to be a popular option for families, then Westerleigh Group will look into making the custom song service available from its other crematoria in England, Scotland and Wales.”

 

Our Song Request (OSR) was launched in 2019 as a platform which allowed artists to create personalised performances for their fans, but earlier this year its focus shifted exclusively to the bereavement sector.

 

The partnership with Westerleigh Group began after OSR’s founder, Colin Boston, discovered an interview with Westerleigh Group’s CEO, Debbie Smith, on the ‘Death: A Changing Industry’ podcast, which then led OSR to West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium.

 

Colin said: “Our Song Request is thrilled to be working in partnership with Westerleigh Group, a collaboration driven by a shared commitment to honouring the individuality of every family and service.

 

“In our search for the ideal partner, we sought an organisation that truly values personalisation and goes the extra mile to ensure each service is unique and special.

 

“When we met with the team at West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium, we learned about her dedication to providing exceptional care tailored to the needs of each family and she introduced us to Matthew Brook, Westerleigh Group’s head of partnerships and propositions, who shares our vision of delivering that extra touch of uniqueness for families during their time of need.

 

“We are proud to collaborate with a team that genuinely cares and is committed to supporting families before, during and after their services.

“Together we look forward to creating meaningful and memorable experiences for those we serve.

 

“Our talented artists deliver custom songs within an average of just three business days, and accommodate revisions within 24 hours, recognising the importance of speed and sensitivity in these moments of remembrance.”

 

For more information about West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium, and the exceptional service and care it offers, visit: www.westlancashirecrematorium.co.uk/our-song-request