New crematorium offers state-of-the-art funerals
The brand-new East Lothian Crematorium near Edinburgh, which is due to open this autumn will offer local families the chance to experience the funerals of the future today thanks to state-of-the-art technology.
The crematorium developed by Westerleigh Group will be the only one in Scotland to be offering experiential funeral services, enabling the bereaved to make their loved ones’ farewells more uniquely personal than ever before.
On the day of their loved one’s service, mourners will find themselves in an immersive experience, thanks to the projection of dynamic theming onto ‘the canvas’ - the entire wall at the front of the chapel - accompanied by harmoniously co-ordinated soundscapes and lighting.
It will enable families to personalise services to an unprecedented level, to truly reflect the individuality, interests and passions of the person being remembered.
In the waiting room, families will have an option to display 25 digital photos of their loved one on a gallery wall and in time, they will be able to chose to have their loved one’s image displayed on the chapel’s welcome screens.
East Lothian Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 41 other sites in England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance, which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Last November, the world’s first experiential funeral venue was unveiled at the group’s crematorium in Gedling, Nottinghamshire.
It quickly proved to be very popular so now, Westerleigh Group wants to make the experience available to families in other parts of the country with East Lothian Crematorium being the first in Scotland.
The innovative experience is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh Group and the UK’s leading audio-visual provider to the bereavement industry, Obitus.
Darren Daughters, Head of Division at Westerleigh Group said: “East Lothian Crematorium will be one of the most modern, environmentally-friendly facilities of its kind in the country, offering local families the exceptional care and support that Westerleigh Group has built its reputation on.
“We’re pleased with the installation of the innovative technology in the crematorium, enabling the bereaved in Edinburgh and beyond to have a choice of using canvas wall as an option for their loved one’s service.
“Since the technology was introduced at Gedling, we know that 99% of families who have held funeral there have chosen to have a canvas wall, or elements of it, included within their services.
“The feedback Gedling Crematorium has received has been very positive, with those who have seen it saying that it added a truly personal touch to the funeral.
“Whether it’s a waterfall or a seasonal background, or even a football stadium, there is a wide range of themes and choices available, with many options to tailor the displays to be specifically relevant to the person being honoured.
“The technology offers the chance to make funerals even more uniquely personal and meaningful than ever.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about how the canvas themes look can visit: