Major work to upgrade the Borough crematorium and chapel is to begin on Monday 10th November 2014.

The ?1.5m project is expected to take 12 months and will provide improved facilities for mourners, celebrants, funeral directors and staff.

A separate project to renovate the surrounding paths and walls will be undertaken at the same time.

Central to the project will be the refurbishment and upgrading of the chapel to provide separation between arriving and departing mourners, enhanced disabled access and a new waiting area and toilets.

Work to the crematorium will include the installation of mercury abatement filtration equipment to comply with 2012 EU emissions criteria legislation and replacement of one of the two cremators to accommodate larger-build individuals.

Cremations, the Borough cemetery and Book of Remembrance will continue to operate throughout the project. Given the extent of the remedial works, however, the Borough cemetery chapel will close after the last service on Friday 7th November.  The Council has made provision for services to be conducted, if required, at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Glencrutchery Road, which can accommodate both religious and secular services.

Access to the Borough cemetery will remain via the main gates off Glencrutchery Road and the Book of Remembrance will be accessible to the public in a separate building, adjacent to the main gate on the driveway.

Regeneration and community committee chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘As operator of the Island’s only crematorium the Council recognises this work  may cause some disruption so has been mindful that the project is handled sensitively. In this we have worked with the Island’s funeral directors and our crematorium staff to ensure dignity and respect are maintained at all times.’

Douglas Lawn Cemetery is unaffected by the work.

For more information contact the bereavement services officer 696329.