CEMETERY & CREMATORIA DEVELOPMENT.

Dedication service at site that opened earlier this year

Dedication service at site that opened earlier this year

by Crematorium Editor Westerleigh News

Crematorium to be blessed by the Bishop

A crematorium was due to be blessed by the Bishop of Leicester today. The service was to mark the official dedication of Great Glen Crematorium, which has been operating since March and has held almost 400 funerals.

The bishop, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, was being joined by representatives from across Leicestershire’s spectrum of beliefs. There were to be prayers from Deacon Kevin O’Connor, of the Catholic Church of St Mary’s, Wigston, and from the Rev Fran Rhys, of the Methodist Ministry of Great Glen Readings were to be given by the Rev Kim Ford, of St Cuthbert’s Church, Great Glen, and by two local celebrants, Jane Humphries and Keith Baker. Prayers were also to be led by priests on behalf of Hindus and Sikhs.

Tudor Choir was to provide music and Coun Grahame Spendlove-Mason, chairman of Harborough District Council, was due to give an address. A spokesman for operator Westerleigh Group said the bishop would acknowledge the importance of the spacious, tranquil and natural setting the facility provides. The crematorium has an 108-
seater chapel and a digital music system alongside a traditional organ.

Helen Bozon, manager of Great Glen Crematorium, said: “We are very grateful for all of the support from funeral directors, celebrants and clergy who have helped to ensure the service is tailored to local needs. “It is always so reassuring to hear what a difference the new crematorium has made to families in the area. “We are determined to deliver on our promise to provide the best level of care so we can make that very difficult day a little bit easier.”

The crematorium was allowed on appeal after planning permission had been refused by Harborough District Council in 2013. Opponents had said the location, close to Stoneygate Primary School, was inappropriate. The school said it did not think it was appropriate for mourners attending services to hear the noise of children playing, or for children as youngas three tobenear sucha site.

County councillor Dr Kevin Feltham said: “The councillors decided this was not an appropriate location and they were right.” Westerleigh said Great Glen was one of the largest crematoria to be built in the past 20 years. It is set in more than 60 acres.

Taken From Leicester Mercury