NEW facilities have been officially opened at Grimsby Crematorium following a £1.3 million refurbishment.
The facility now has a new book of remembrance room, vase room, waiting area – which the building did not have previously – toilet facilities, two new cremators and updated offices.
As reported, the cremators were replaced as a result of Government legislation that imposes a duty to limit mercury emissions – found in tooth fillings – by the end of this year.
And North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) decided to use the opportunity to update other facilities, too.
NELC's portfolio holder for regeneration and environment Peter Wheatley said: "A refurbishment has been required for some time now and we took this opportunity to do two jobs at the same time and limit disruption to services.
"The waiting room, in particular, is a huge improvement and will mean, particularly in the winter, that friends and families won't have to wait in the cold and wet during what is already a very difficult time."
The refurbishment started in the summer, which is usually a quieter period for the crematorium, and was funded from the beautification fund which friends and loved ones donate to after services, for the upkeep of the grounds.
During the refurbishment, the number of services halved from 12 to six a day and the waiting period grew to up to two weeks for a period of just under a month. However, the waiting list was already down to nothing by the time the normal number of services resumed at the beginning of October.
Lisa Logan, registrar of cemeteries and crematoriums for NELC, said: "I'm really pleased with the result of this refurbishment.
"I think it will make a real improvement to the experience of people who come here for services.
"It will mean people can wait in comfort and talk to friends and family that they may not have seen in a long time before paying their respects to someone they love."
Jane Turner, of the Friends of Grimsby And Cleethorpes Cemeteries And Crematorium, also welcomed the improvements.
Mrs Turner said: "I've been to large services here and some people have had to wait outside before, which is not a good start.
"This is something that we have needed for quite a long time and I think that the new rooms are great.
"The outside of the building doesn't look any different but they have added a whole new area – although it looks like it has always been here."
