Dedication services at two Scottish crematoria

Two special services have taken place to formally dedicate Westerleigh Group’s new crematoria to the communities they serve.

Bishopbriggs Crematorium, near Glasgow, opened in December 2024 and East Lothian Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, near Edinburgh, opened last autumn.

Westerleigh Group’s tradition is to dedicate a new crematorium to its community in the presence of funeral directors, celebrants, members of the clergy and senior representatives from many organisations within the bereavement sector.

Westerleigh Group is one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 42 sites in England, Scotland and Wales, and which is trusted by more families than any other provider to deliver funerals for their loved ones.

All Westerleigh's locations are set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect, while benefitting from exceptional care and support from its teams.

The services for Bishopbriggs and East Lothian crematoria took place on July 8, and were attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Professor Hilary Grainger OBE – Chair of Cremation Society of Great Britain, Adrian Saville – President London Association NAFD, Gary Staker – SAIF National President, Ross Anderson – SAIF Scotland President, Karen Caney – 2nd Vice President British Institute of Embalmers, Andrew Judd – CEO NAFD, Lisa Parkes – Deputy President ICCM, Robert Swanson – Scottish Government Inspector of Crematoria, Cemeteries and Funeral Directors and Westerleigh Group Ambassador Alan Jose, who recently became President of the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities.

Alan said: “The dedication services are part of our way of establishing our crematoria and ensuring that each of them provides a positive presence within its surrounding communities.

“In the relatively short period of time that they have been operating, both Bishopbriggs and East Lothian crematoria have been supporting local families, with the exceptional care that Westerleigh Group has built its reputation on for more than three decades.

“Both crematoria have been developing strong relationships with local funeral directors, clergy, charities and organisations, as well as helping the bereaved to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones through uniquely personal funeral services and memorial option.

“Our two new Scottish crematoria are proud to play a vital role in their local communities and provide a place of reflection, remembrance and celebration of life in many years to come.”

For more information about Bishopbriggs Crematorium, visit www.bishopbriggscrematorium.co.uk and for more information about East Lothian Crematorium, visit www.eastlothiancrematorium.co.uk