The £175,000 refurbishment of Haycombe Crematorium by the Council is now finished, complete with camera facilities to broadcast services over the Internet if required.
The Crematorium holds around 1,800 services every year. Having operated since 1961 this is the first major refurbishment of the facility.
A range of improvements have been carried out including;
- New audio system to improve the quality of sound during services;
- Redesign of the layout so that funeral corteges no longer need to pass toilets in the lobby;
- Standing area in the courtyard is enlarged;
- New décor, curtains, and chairs which allow disabled people to be included within a row. These can also be removed to create more standing room for large groups attending a service;
- The ability to stream a service live over the Internet via a secure webpage to enable families who live abroad or even a soldier’s platoon to be part of the service.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, “The Crematorium is now fit for the twenty-first century with facilities for families and friends that are truly befitting for the funeral of a loved one.
“The Council is delighted to be using modern technology to beam a funeral to the other side of the world if needed so that family and friends who cannot make the day can still pay their respects.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about Haycombe can get in touch via [email protected] or 01225 396020.
