Exceptional new crematorium and natural burial ground planned for Leeds
A new state-of-the-art modern crematorium will give bereaved families in and around Leeds and Wakefield more choice, longer service times and the opportunity for a more personalised funeral service, delivered with exceptional care.
For the first time, it will also offer local communities the option of a natural burial, which is increasingly becoming a preferred choice for many.
The new development would help address the current pressures faced by existing crematoria serving the area, which are struggling to meet growing demand, while at the same time offering bereaved families the option of longer, more personalised funerals in a brand-new modern facility.
The plans have been drawn up by Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 41 other sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
It wishes to build a modern crematorium and natural burial ground on a 20-acre site at Oulton, six miles south east of Leeds and five miles north of Wakefield, bringing the exceptional care that it has built its reputation on to local communities.
Ian McArdle, Westerleigh Group’s Chief Property Officer, said: “There is currently no provision on the eastern side of Leeds, and we believe that those communities along with communities in the wider Leeds and Wakefield areas would benefit from having the choice of a new modern crematorium and natural burial ground.
“Leeds is currently served by three local authority-run facilities, one of which has not been able to carry out cremations since last November, so while services have been held there, the cremation itself has taken place at a different site, which can cause additional distress to the bereaved.
“The newest of the existing sites dates back to 1959 with the oldest dating back to 1905, all designed for a different era and suffering from a lack of investment over the years. Likewise, the two existing local authority-run facilities in Wakefield.
“Most importantly, for us, is the fact that the existing facilities only allow 40/45 minutes between funeral services and around 20 minutes inside the chapel, often leading to funerals clashing, a lack of privacy and services feeling rushed.
“We operate more flexibly, allowing 60 minutes between each service, which enables those attending to spend up to 45 minutes inside the chapel, giving more time to personalise the funeral service.
“We believe very strongly that no family should be made to feel rushed or pressured when it comes to the funeral of a loved one, nor should they feel they have a ‘conveyor belt’ experience with funerals overlapping.
“Our new site will offer more choice, give families on the eastern side of Leeds something more convenient in terms of travel time, and offer the bereaved more time and privacy to say their final farewells.”
He added: “Another advantage to local communities of our new crematorium is the option to use the natural burial ground.
“Natural burial grounds are wild meadow and woodland areas which involve single graves, the use of biodegradable coffins or shrouds, and no granite headstones.
“Local Funeral Directors have told us families living in and around Leeds have to travel outside the area if they wish to have a natural burial, which can cause difficulties, leading to distress, when they want to visit the place where their loved one was laid to rest.
“As with all our crematoria, this new facility and burial ground has been designed to meet the needs of all those within the local communities that we serve.
“Facilities include ample parking, capacity to accommodate the largest of funerals, flexibility to change seating layouts, covered waiting and floral tribute areas and the latest state of the art immersive media technology.
“In addition, the site will offer specific facilities for witnessed cremations and a changing places facility, (an accessible space with mobility changing bed and toilet), both of which are new to the area.
“Like all our new crematoria, the facility will also be one of the most environmentally friendly in the UK and will offer local communities a more sustainable cremation and burial option.
“All our sites look to have a positive presence within their local communities, from hosting events such as Christmas carol services to making donations to local charities and organisations which improve the quality of life for local people.
“We don’t just want to serve the communities in and round Leeds and Wakefield, we want to become part of those communities.”
Anyone who would like to find out more is welcome to attend a public consultation event on Monday 7 April at Oulton Hall Hotel, Rothwell Lane, Oulton, between 3pm and 7.30pm.
Ian said: “Local people can come and see for themselves what we are planning to create, how it will look, ask any questions they want and learn more about the exceptional care and support Westerleigh Group provides to the bereaved.
”Local residents are also welcome to complete our survey and share their feedback and comments about the proposed development by visiting http://bit.ly/4hLdp9Y
The purpose-built modern chapel building would contain seating for a minimum of 112 mourners, with overflow standing areas.
There would be 136 parking spaces, including disabled, electric vehicle and coach provision.
To find out more about Westerleigh Group and the exceptional crematoria and cemeteries it operates, and the care and support it provides to tens of thousands of families every year, visit: www.westerleighgroup.co.uk