Open day success at Wealden Crematorium
A mushroom coffin, a brand-new hybrid cremator and a chance to see what happens behind the scenes were among the talking points when Wealden Crematorium opened its doors to local residents on the 19th of August.
More than 150 people attended the first-ever ‘Beyond the Farewell’ open day on 19 August, giving people from Heathfield, Horam and surrounding villages the opportunity to find out more about the crematorium and the services available locally.
One of the more unusual things to catch visitors’ attention was a coffin made from mushrooms, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to more traditional coffins.
The day also gave visitors the chance to take a look around the crematorium and see its new hybrid cremator. Wealden Crematorium is the first in the country capable of operating using gas, electricity or a combination of both.
Experts across bereavement. funeral and cremation services were on hand
Six experts from across the bereavement, funeral and cremation sectors gave talks throughout the day, covering everything from using local funeral directors and recycling metals after cremation to the technology behind cremation and what happens when someone dies without family or money to arrange a funeral.
There was also advice on how music, images and other personal touches can help make a funeral a meaningful celebration of someone’s life.
The talks proved popular, with many visitors staying for much of the day, while the event also provided plenty of opportunity for people to chat, ask questions and find out more about a subject that can often be difficult to talk about.
The event brought together speakers from organisations including SAIF Environmental Group, Obitus, Orthometals, Facultatieve Technologies and Rother and Wealden Councils, who shared their expertise throughout the day.
You can find out more about the work of Wealden Crematorium and the services it provides, or learn more about the speakers and topics covered during the ‘Beyond the Farewell’ event.
The entire event was recorded and will soon be available to watch on the Wealden Crematorium website.