Construction has begun at the site for new crematorium

A ground breaking ceremony at the site of the new West Hertfordshire Crematorium has been attended by council leaders representing the local authorities involved in delivering the project.

This new facility will be a sister-site to the current West Herts Crematorium in Garston, Watford, and is being developed to provide additional capacity in the West Hertfordshire region.

The leaders of Three Rivers and Dacorum councils attended the event on 1 March along with members of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (WHCJC). The project is a collaboration between Three Rivers, Dacorum, St Albans, Hertsmere, and Watford councils.

Featuring a remembrance chapel that sits within extensive landscaped grounds on the land adjacent to the new Poppy Fields cemetery at Bedmond Road by Bunkers Park, the new crematorium in the area will reduce the time that families have to wait to schedule a funeral for a loved-one. It will also enhance the quality of service provided to bereaved families by increasing service times from 40 to 60 minutes so there is more time for individual ceremonies.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “It is impressive to see the progress that has already been made on this very important new and thoughtfully designed building. The new crematorium is a much needed facility and we are pleased to be working closely with our neighbouring councils in order to provide it. Having the right place in which families and friends can say goodbye to their loved ones is so important, and this new building will provide a very special location in which that can happen.”

West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, which includes representatives from all of the local councils in the area, and oversees the management and the operation of the existing crematorium in Garston will also manage the new facility. It will operate on the same basis as the existing crematorium with services running Monday to Friday and general enquiries on Saturdays.

Construction is expected to be completed by Feb/March 2023.