¨ Following the completion of the memorial safety testing programme, we have now finished sending letters out to last known grave owners and responding to queries. If your stonemason actions repairs to your memorial please make the Office aware.
¨ We have recently had a new fire alarm installed in the Crematorium and are now waiting for the installation of fire doors. Wherever possible works will be completed out of hours to minimise disruption.
¨ If you would like to be buried near to existing family members in the older parts of the cemetery please get in contact or let your Funeral Director know, we can’t promise anything but we will definitely look into it for you.
¨ Works to lay a new perimeter road in the Oxford Burial Ground has finally been completed. The road is wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass each other, therefore please avoid parking on the grass.
¨ We are pleased to announce that our Books of Remembrance have been fully scanned and digitised. All entries can now be viewed online through a link on our website. Entries can be searched for by date or surname.
¨ We have a new memorial brochure which largely copies the information shown on our website, colchestercrematorium.co.uk .
¨ Our website contains some helpful information regarding the legal grave ownership transfer process, we also have staff available to assist you through what can look a complicated process.
¨ We held another wonderful Carol Service on Wednesday 11th December, thank to everyone who attended.
¨ We have begun an intensive programme of tree works in the scatter lawns of the Gardens of Remembrance, the serious overcrowding over many years has left us with some dead trees along with others in desperate need of crown raising. So far our tree team have completed the area covering the months of January to May.
¨ If anyone has a bit of spare time and would like to join our existing volunteer in carrying out some litter picking around the Cemetery please get in contact with us.
¨ We will soon be trialing a new soil product that has been designed solely for crematoria which is scientifically proven to offset the toxicity in cremated remains, releasing essential nutrients that allow plant life to flourish. We are hugely optimistic that this will massively improve the health of our roses and shrubs.
¨ The Crematorium has recently benefitted from the installation of 8 CCTV cameras covering the majority of the perimeter of the building.
¨ Towards the end of October the Cemetery received an unannounced visit from the Green Flag inspection team. In confirming our continued Green Flag status they commented—’the grounds continue to be well maintained, neat and tidy. It provides a tranquil and important place of reflection for families and visitors alike’.
¨ Following recent consultation, and until further notice, the Queen Mary Avenue Gate will continue to be locked and unlocked in line with the rest of the site.