Douglas Borough Council has completed one of its largest schemes this financial year, the refurbishment of the borough crematorium and cemetery.

The crematorium now provides greater convenience and comfort for mourners and staff, central to which is a new exit from the chapel to separate departing and arriving funeral parties. There is also improved disabled access, a larger waiting area for mourners, upgraded heating and lighting, new seating, a new Book of Remembrance room and new toilets.

The committal room is now fitted with EU-compliant equipment, a new, larger cremator has been installed and the existing cremator overhauled.

The building has been repainted, floodlit and fitted with CCTV, while the main driveway has been resurfaced and the pathways, boundary walls and Garden of Remembrance repaired.

In total the project cost ?2.9 million: some ?1.8 million for the building and just over ?1million for works to the paths and driveway. The cost has been part-funded from reserves, with the balance met by a 30-year loan for the chapel and a 20-year loan for upgrading the drive, paths, walls and railings. The loans will be serviced from the fees charged.

Council leader David Christian said: ‘This was a costly but long overdue project. What the council has provided now, though, is a future-proofed facility for the whole island.

‘At a time of deep sadness it is only right that bereaved families be provided with the most appropriate setting in which to mourn and remember their loved ones. The council has amply delivered on this.’

Regeneration and community committee chairman Councillor John Skinner added: ‘This was a complex project which needed to be managed sensitively. In this I applaud the professionalism of the council’s bereavement services team and the cooperation of the funeral directors and also of the contractors who often had to work in difficult and restricted spaces. I should also like to take this opportunity to extend the Council’s gratitude to St Andrew’s Church for allowing funeral services to be conducted there during the refurbishment.’