Crematorium chapel closing for six months
A revamp of Falkirk Crematorium will start next week.
The £3.2 million refurbishment of the crematorium, which opened in 1962 and is the main facility for Stirling, will be carried out in two phases.
While the crematorium itself will be open for cremations throughout the refurbishment process, there will be a temporary halt on the chapel being used for services for around six months.
The chapel will be closed from Monday (January 23), with the works aimed at allowing for it to cater for larger services and to reduce congestion at busy times.
Dr Craig Martin, Falkirk Council spokesperson for environment, said: “This is a significant investment for the crematorium and its first major upgrade since it opened in the 1960s.
“Unfortunately building and improvement works on this scale will cause disruption to normal services in the crematorium chapel.
“We are working closely with funeral directors and faith groups and will continue to keep them up to date with information on the works, timescales and any changes to current arrangements.”
Families from Stirling who wish to hold a service where their loved ones are cremated will face a lengthy round trip.
The closest alternative facilities to Stirling are in Dunfermline (27 miles away), Perth, (33 miles), Daldowie in Uddingston (32 miles) and South Lanarkshire Crematorium in Blantyre (30 miles).
The chapel will close to the public until June, with only funeral directors allowed to take coffins through to the chamber whilst works are carried out.
The full project is due to be completed in September, with a phased replacement of the cremators taking place alongside the chapel works.
The Book of Remembrance will be moved to an alternative location near the crematorium during refurbishment for those wishing to pay their respects.
The public will still have access to the cemetery, the Garden of Remembrance and the SANDS memorial.
Although services normally held in the chapel will have to take place elsewhere, a farewell point will be established at Camelon Cemetery, where loved ones will have a final chance to say farewell to their relatives.
The cost of cremation will be halved during the works with Stirling residents paying £460.