¨ Earlier this year we unfortunately suffered some damage to our electronic Crematorium gates, our insurance claim has now been processed and we are awaiting a date for the repairs to take place.
¨ We have approved a quote for the adaptation of the Cemetery gates so that they too will be electronically controlled to match the Crematorium gates.
¨ This Autumn we will be carrying out additional planting in the Oxford Burial Ground with nearly 50 new shrubs, hedging plants and trees.
¨ Albeit several months off, we are pleased to be able to share details regarding this years Carol Service which will be held on Wednesday 10th December at 2.00pm. Further communication will follow nearer to the event.
¨ We have recently improved our Secluded Gardens area with the addition of four arbour benches, each of these can be dedicated with an inscribed plaque. For further details please contact the Crematorium Office.
¨ Our website, colchestercrematorium.co.uk contains a wealth of information from opening times, maps, scheduled funerals, memorials, news and bereavement support groups. In addition to the link to our Online Book of Remembrance, there is now a link to a short virtual tour of the Crematorium.
¨ At the beginning of July our contracted memorial safety inspector returned to re-test all the headstones that were deemed unsafe last year to ascertain how many have subsequently been made safe. With the remaining unsafe memorials, we have taken the decision to remove any immediate risk associated with an unsafe memorial by carefully laying them down.
¨ Our programme of essential tree works in the Crematorium Gardens of Remembrance will recommence in September and continue periodically throughout the Autumn and Winter months. We will always try to minimise disruption wherever possible.
¨ Alongside Coffin Club Colchester we are hosting a free talk and book signing event, welcoming Evie King, author of the acclaimed ‘Ashes to Admin’ on Thursday 25 September at Colchester Crematorium & Cemetery. Evie King, a dedicated local council worker tasked with overseeing Section 46 funerals, which are arranged for those who pass away without family or financial means to cover burial or cremation expenses. Although the event is sold out it is being webcast, for details please contact the Cemetery & Crematorium Office.
¨ We are always trying to provide the best possible grounds, facilities and location for holding funeral services, and are pleased to announce that an upgrade of our music system and associated digital media services will take place in November.
¨ On the same theme, we are installing another Columbaria niche memorial in the Gardens of Remembrance close to Jemima’s Corner, this will be completed in October along with the installation of 3 granite benches.
¨ If you encounter any anti-social behaviour, see any dangerous trees / branches or notice any damage please report it to the Cemetery & Crematorium Office.