Work has begun on a new crematorium on the outskirts of York which is set to offer state-of-the-art funerals.
The building of the North York Crematorium and Memorial Gardens, in Sand Hutton, is underway ahead of a planned winter opening.
It features technology which allows bereaved family and friends to put on personalised funeral services, according to Westerleigh Group which is behind the venue.
The company’s crematoria and cemeteries lead Ed Lane said the new site was an important step in expanding their offer of high-quality and beautifully-designed facilities.
It comes after the facility, which will seat 112 guests, was approved on appeal in 2024 after North Yorkshire councillors refused plans the previous year.
The crematorium is being built on roughly 5ha site off the A64 near the York Biotech Campus and the village of Sand Hutton.
Westerleigh stated the location had been chosen so that it is accessible for families in York and North Yorkshire but it will also be available for people further afield.
It is set to feature audio-visual technology from Obitus which allows personalised themes to be displayed on a canvas at the front of the chapel.
Images on the canvas can be accompanied with co-ordinated lighting and sound.
The images could include pictures of the deceased or visual or themed tributes and webcasts of services would also be offered.
Westerfield Group’s SuperVenue set up will allow pictures of loved ones or orders of service to be displayed on welcome screens outside the chapel.
A moveable catafalque, the structure supporting the coffin, can be put in the centre of the chapel or closer to mourners in accordance with their wishes.
Services will typically be an hour long but the bereaved will have the option to extend them.
A welcome garden is set to frame the approach to the crematorium and provide an outdoor gathering area for people to meet and contemplate all-year round.
Westerleigh operates 42 crematoria and cemeteries across the UK.
They stated the one in Sand Hutton had been sustainably designed and would be among the most environmentally-friendly crematoria in the UK.
Westerleigh’s crematoria and cemeteries managing director Ed Lane said they were excited to introduce people in the York area to the exceptional levels of care the firm proudly upholds.
He said: “We’re especially pleased to be able to incorporate the SuperVenue technology into this development and through it, offer the bereaved an option to personalise a final farewell to unprecedented levels.
“There will be a wide range of canvas options reflecting landscapes, seasons, pastime and even sports to allow families select one that reflects their loved one the most to then frame the service itself.”
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