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The ICCM Journal | Summer 2021 | V89 No. 2
Sirhowy Valley Crematorium and Memorial Garden Westerleigh Group opened its 35th crematorium for business on Thursday 4th February 2021
The crematorium is very well placed to serve the local community in the Pontllanfraith, Blackwood and surrounding areas as the nearest crematoria previously were all over 10 miles away, with journeys for families taking over 30 minutes in a funeral cortege. The building of Westerleigh’s 35th crematorium at Sirhowy Valley has been the result of several years of dedicated work by the development team led by Ian McArdle, Chief Property Officer, which has been fundamental in delivering this beautiful new facility. The crematorium situated in the heart of the Sirhowy Valley on a four-hectare site has been beautifully and sympathetically designed to offer a place of peace and seclusion which is so important to families arranging a funeral service for their loved ones. The chapel is light and spacious and finished in Welsh pennant stone on the exterior with a warm and comfortable interior that has picture windows along one side which frame the panoramic views across the beautiful countryside. The chapel is equipped with a state-of-the-art media system supplied by Obitus with two large screens for visual tributes and there is the facility to webcast services all over the world. The crematorium has the latest generation of Facultatieve fully abated cremators with NOx abatement making this one of the most environmentally efficient crematoriums in the UK. Jon Deacon the crematorium manager who was for many years a funeral director serving the local area said “ I am delighted to be taking up the role as crematorium manager at Sirhowy Valley at a time when local communities are experiencing exceptional levels of pain and heartache due to the pandemic. Our new crematorium set in beautiful grounds coupled with our absolute commitment to delivering a uniquely personal service will provide a dignified place for a final tribute.” Alan José Group Ambassador
