Horam crematorium to open in March

Wealden’s Chairman Councillor Chris Hardy laid the final stone in Wealden’s new Crematorium at a ceremony to mark the completion of the building’s structure, while local business are gearing up to help mourners with ther needs.

District and Parish Council representatives gathered with the site team responsible for delivering the £5 million project. These include Baxall Construction, Clague Architects and MacConvilles Surveying.

Several nearby local businesses are looking forward to the custom the new crematorium will bring. Cuckoo Flower Company in the centre of Horam is the nearest florist to the crematorium. Staff are hoping that people using the crematorium will find having a florist nearby very convenient. Cuckoo Florist can create anything from elaborate be-spoke arrangements to place on coffins or bouquets that mourners can purchase on the way to a service at the crematorium.

Hidden Spring Vineyard is minutes away from the crematorium and owners say that they can offer the ideal private space for funeral wakes that can accommodate up to 50 people. Catering can be arranged and there is a bar along with a grand piano. There is also plenty of parking. For more information call 01435 813078.

Andy Kirk, Axell-Eames Funerals Services, Heathfield said: “The crematorium is much needed and we welcome the new facilities, especially as we continue to see an increase in population for the surrounding areas. As a local, independent, family-run business, this is a positive step towards reducing funeral costs for our customers.”

Janette Goss who runs Horam Home Kitchen is ideally located to help with catering. “We can cater at wakes in people’s houses or there are several local halls that can be hired if people prefer not to hold the wake at home. We are really flexible and can offer simple afternoon teas or elaborate menus,”Janette explained.

The modern, multi-faith facility is located south of Horam, along the A267. It boasts a 120 seat chapel, car parking for 150 vehicles, and will provide much needed provision for the 1,200 local people each year who choose to be cremated.

Councillor Hardy said: “The completion of Wealden’s first crematorium is a landmark occasion for this Council. We are incredibly proud of the results so far. It has delivered a facility meeting the highest standards for a crematorium, while giving great consideration to the natural landscape. The results in a relatively short space of time are impressive. We look forward to the official opening of this new service for the District in March 2019.”

Final landscaping of the site is now taking place along with work to the main entrance. Traffic lights will be in place on the A267 until the end of February whilst the work on the crematorium entrance is completed.

Upon final completion, an Open Day will take place in the spring giving the public an opportunity to visit the facility. Further information about the Crematorium and its progress can be followed online via http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Council/WealdenCrematorium/Web_Wealden_Crematorium.aspx 

For a different take on funerals listen to this recent talk by Coffin Club Hastings at The Bavard Bar