Dedication service at Stirlingshire crematorium

Funeral directors, celebrants, members of the clergy and senior representatives from many organisations within the bereavement sector came together for a Service of Dedication at Stirlingshire Crematorium

Stirlingshire Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 36 other sites across England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully-landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

It is Westerleigh Group’s tradition to dedicate a new crematorium to its community, an occasion which usually takes place approximately 12 months after its opening.

Stirlingshire Crematorium was opened on 30 May 2019 and its service of dedication was originally planned for the spring of 2020 but had to be postponed because of the pandemic.

The service was led by Reverend Colin Renwick, Minister of Dunblane Cathedral and Moderator of the Presbytery of Stirling. He was joined by Jean Porter, Deacon for the Church of Scotland, and Irene Gardner a Civil Celebrant, who both regularly officiate at Funeral Services at Stirlingshire Crematorium.

Moderator Colin said: “A crematorium in Stirlingshire was long overdue and, very quickly, the community has grown to value this facility, the staff, and the service it offers.”

Jean Porter agreed with the words of Moderator Colin, and expressed her appreciation of the crematorium, which conducted its first service in May 2019.

She spoke warmly about the exemplary care provided by the dedicated team at Stirlingshire Crematorium, led by Site Manager Donnie Connor, and thanked them for the valuable contribution they make to those who mourn within the surrounding communities.

Donnie Connor said: “We’re very pleased to be able to finally host this special event.

“It’s been a very challenging time, going into lockdown just 10 months after our crematorium opened.

"We’ve stood by and supported our community, both before and during the pandemic and it will be our honour to continue to serve local families at such difficult times, when they lose loved ones.

“We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for our dedication service and who has supported us in any way during the first few years of our crematorium establishing itself in the community.”

To find out more about Stirlingshire Crematorium, visit www.stirlingshirecrematorium.co.uk