Parndon Wood Crematorium

13/08/2026

Work is continuing to move forward at both our new crematorium developments in Cramlington and Vale of York.

At Great North Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, the chapel roof is now fully boarded and ready for membranes, while work continues on the gable end. Electrical works are progressing inside the chapel, alongside window installation and further works to the cremator room, where ceiling boarding is nearing completion.

At Vale of York Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, block paving and external works are progressing, while first-fix electrical and mechanical works continue internally. The cremator room is also taking shape, with high-level painting complete and ceiling boarding underway.

It’s great to see both projects continuing to progress, with each development moving closer to completion. We look forward to sharing further updates as work continues.

23/07/2026

There's no right or wrong way to say goodbye. Every family deserves the opportunity to create a meaningful farewell.

https://youtu.be/xFC65kRbGRw?si=SrV1weHrCVd3CMHr

She lived life in colour — and her farewell reflected it. This film...

15/07/2026

We're proud that our support extends beyond the services we provide to families every day.

Through our corporate charity partnerships, we're helping organisations make a real difference to people, communities and the environment.

Our latest Charity Impact Report's from Winston's Wish - giving hope to grieving children, Child Bereavement UK, Cruse Bereavement Support and World Land Trust showcases just some of what these partnerships have achieved over the past year, from supporting more than 250,000 bereaved adults, children and young people, to enabling free bereavement support for families across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and funding the protection of 1,354.5 acres of vital wildlife habitat.

We're incredibly grateful for the life-changing work they do and are honoured to support their missions.

Take a look through the report below to see the difference these partnerships are making.

10/07/2026

Every new crematorium becomes more than a place for funerals; it becomes part of the community it serves.

This week, we were honoured to hold dedication services for our two newest Scottish crematoria – Bishopbriggs Crematorium and East Lothian Crematorium & Memorial Gardens.

Bringing together funeral directors, celebrants, members of the clergy and representatives from across the bereavement sector, these special services marked an important milestone in formally dedicating both crematoria to their local communities.

Since opening, both sites have been supporting families with compassionate care, while building strong relationships with local funeral professionals, charities and community organisations. The dedication services reflect our ongoing commitment to providing beautiful places of remembrance where families can celebrate life, reflect and find comfort.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this significant occasion. We look forward to continuing to serve our Scottish communities with the exceptional care that defines Westerleigh Group.

Read more here:

09/07/2026

We are incredibly proud to announce that five of our crematoria have achieved Outstanding ratings following independent inspections by The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities - FBCA.

These inspections assess more than 145 aspects of service delivery, recognising the highest standards of care, professionalism and operational excellence. Achieving an Outstanding rating reflects the dedication, compassion and expertise our teams demonstrate every day while supporting families through some of life's most difficult moments.

A huge congratulations to the teams at our Outstanding-rated crematoria. Your unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for the families and communities you serve is something to be immensely proud of.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/HPIS50Zl1zx

07/07/2026

We’re delighted to celebrate the successful launch of our newest SuperVenue at Forest Park Hainault Crematorium.

Congratulations to the Forest Park team on hosting a fantastic launch event, and to our Westerleigh Group speakers, Claire Butcher, Emily Skelton and Adam Mayers, who officially unveiled the new SuperVenue to funeral industry professionals.

The event showcased the beautifully transformed chapel, marking an exciting new chapter for both the crematorium and the local Essex community.

The new SuperVenue offers families an exceptional level of personalisation, enabling truly unique and meaningful farewell experiences unlike anything else available in the local area. It also encourages important conversations about loved ones’ wishes, helping families create services that reflect the life, personality and memories of those they are honouring.

A special thank you to H L Hawes & Son for kindly providing one of their coffins for the evening, and to Reverend Andrew Bryant, Steve Cheal and Sagar for their support in presenting the evening’s service showcases. Your contributions helped bring the SuperVenue experience to life and made the event such a success.

Read more about the reopening here: https://ow.ly/Er7C50Zl0Wm

03/07/2026

We're pleased to share our latest podcast episode featuring Lisa Dicker, General Manager at Bristol Dementia Action Alliance.

In this thoughtful conversation, Lisa shares what it really means to live well with dementia, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting the importance of connection, community, and compassionate support.

Together, we explore the often-overlooked experience of anticipatory grief, why emotional support for families and carers should begin much earlier, and the role dementia-friendly communities play in helping people remain connected and independent. Lisa also discusses the challenges facing the sector, from changing perceptions to securing sustainable funding for vital community services.

This episode is a reminder that dementia support isn't just about end-of-life care, it's about helping people live as fully and meaningfully as possible throughout their journey.

Episode available now on all major podcast providers: https://ow.ly/6rb050ZjVoO

02/07/2026

We are proud to share that Mercia Forest Crematorium has been rated Outstanding following an independent inspection by The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities - FBCA.

The inspection assessed more than 145 aspects of service delivery across eight key areas, recognising the exceptional standards of care, professionalism and service provided by the team. Achieving an Outstanding rating is a reflection of the dedication and compassion our colleagues demonstrate every day in supporting families during some of life's most difficult moments.

At Westerleigh Group, independent inspection plays an important role in helping us maintain the highest standards across our crematoria. It provides reassurance to the families and communities we serve that they can expect exceptional care, dignity and professionalism at every stage of their journey.

Congratulations to everyone at Mercia Forest on this well-deserved achievement. Your commitment to providing outstanding care continues to make a meaningful difference to the families you support every day.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/9Kwe50ZjwJi

30/06/2026

This June, we are proud to mark the 90th anniversary of Charing Crematorium, the first crematorium to serve the communities of Kent.

Since opening in 1936, Charing Crematorium has supported generations of families with care, compassion and dignity. Its rich history includes the cremation of Dr William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1944, a significant moment that helped shape the wider acceptance of cremation in Britain.

Today, as part of Westerleigh Group, Charing Crematorium continues to provide meaningful and personalised farewell services, supporting families across Kent.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone and honour the important role Charing Crematorium has played in the community for the past 90 years.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/cJG450ZiIAM