Construction for a new crematorium that could help with the high funeral demand during winter seasons has begun.
The new sister crematorium for West Herts will be based in the Hemel Hempstead area, serving people in Watford, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and St Albans regions.
It will be a new single chapel crematorium at Bedmond Road by Bunkers Park which would include a 139 seated congregation, a crematory and administration and staff spaces, with a separate pavilion and memorial facilities.
Open space surrounding the site will also be made of use with a memorial garden, woodland areas, long grass meadows and a car park.
The crematorium is being developed to provide additional capacity in the West Hertfordshire region. The new facility will enhance the quality of service provided to bereaved families by increasing service times from 40 to 60 minutes so there is more time for individual ceremonies.
An overhead render of what the crematorium is planned to look like
West Herts Crematorium, based in Garston, opened in 1959 and performs over 3,000 cremations annually – and it will continue to operate alongside the new crematorium being built in Hemel.
A render of the floral chapel that will be built
Cllr Anthony Rowlands, lead councillor for public realm services at St Albans City and District Council, said: "I’m glad to see construction work on the new crematorium near St Albans begin and, in time, for additional facilities to be provided for local families to commemorate their loved ones in a peaceful and beautiful setting."
With construction beginning today, it is expected that the development will be completed by December 2022.
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