The Midlands' greenest crematorium is set to open in Nottinghamshire next week. Rushcliffe Oaks crematorium will be launching on Monday, April 3, after years of planning and construction by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Located in a modern, contemporary building in Stragglethorpe, the crematorium has a focus on nature and is the greenest crematorium to date in the entire Midlands region. The site will allow families to give their loved ones a sensitive, peaceful and respectful send off.
The main room in the building is the hall, which has capacity for 120 people. However, the innovative design of the doors and windows from the entrance means that the windows can be pushed away to open the room up for an extra 80 to 90 people.
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In the heart of the room is the catafalque, a decorated wooden frame to support the coffin, and unlike many crematoriums, there is no curtain that separates it from the room.
Instead of closing a curtain at the end of a service, the crematorium will instead offer a lighting sequence to signify the end of a service. The facility is operationally carbon neutral, as the site has its own solar panels and energy-efficient lighting.
Rather than a traditional gas cremator, Rushcliffe Oaks will use a greener electric-powered cremator, which will lower CO2 emissions by up to 85 percent. The authority’s Director of Development and Economic Growth, Leanne Ashmore, said: “We are so proud to be able to offer our residents and people of Nottinghamshire a beautiful new place to say goodbye and to remember their loved ones.
"Our whole focus has been to provide a modern and peaceful setting with a connection to nature that is environmentally conscious. The attractively-landscaped grounds and tranquil memorial garden provide a communal space for quiet reflection and remembrance of loved ones."
She continued: "Rushcliffe Oaks offers a wide range of memorial options which have been conscientiously sourced, mainly from local suppliers and using natural materials. There is also a digital book of remembrance where you can write a free message of condolence.
"We have a wonderful, dedicated team on-site who are committed to providing a professional and personal service for all visitors, sympathetic to all who have been bereaved.”
There are also screens in various rooms within the crematorium so that loved ones can watch the service clearly even if they are stood at the back, or if they need to go to another room, such as the dedicated family room.
Manager, Rhonda Churchill, said: "This will be for so many things, so if someone is upset when they are collecting ashes and just need a minute, or perhaps if some in the service has a child and they need to come away for a minute. There's a screen so they can still watch the service."
The grounds of the crematorium consist of a reflection garden which can be viewed from inside the chapel, a memorial garden, the Quercus woodland and wildflower meadow which create a sustainable home for wildlife. Within the garden there is also a memory tree where families can have a golden leaf put on the tree in memory of their loved ones.
The crematorium will provide up to six services each day, and already has services booked in for next week. The crematorium will be operated and managed by Rushcliffe Borough Council, from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
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