¨ Last December Central Government announced that there would be a Covid-19 Day of Reflection on Sunday 9th March marking the 5th anniversary. In support of this we have installed a memorial adjacent to the crematorium building which will be officially unveiled on Monday 3rd March.

¨ This Summer our memorial safety inspector will return to re-test all the headstones that were deemed unsafe last year to ascertain how many have subsequently been made safe.

¨ 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.

¨ Through our participation in a metal recycling scheme via the ICCM (Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management) we are delighted to announce that CRUSE Bereavement Support and Young Lives v Cancer will both be receiving a donation of £6,250 from us.

¨ 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.

¨ 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 are pleased to announce that within the newer sections of the Oxford Burial Ground concrete beams will be installed in the burial rows acting as a permanent foundation for headstones. This work will begin in March.

¨ We have a memorial brochure which largely copies the information shown on our website,  colchestercrematorium.co.uk . The website also features other useful information including our opening times and maps.

¨ For the purpose of continuous improvements we have installed 2 Feedback boxes, one in the Waiting Room and one in the Book of Remembrance Room.

¨ The programme of tree works in the scatter lawns of the Gardens of Remembrance is continuing along with some stump grinding. When completed this will hopefully be followed by additional grounds work to enhance grass growth. We thank you for your patience and understanding whilst these essential works are carried out.

¨ Within the next month we hope to be advertising for a New Apprenticeship Position to join our existing caring and professional team.

¨ We have begun using 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.

¨ 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.