Thornbury Crematorium

The need for a new crematorium facility

There are currently four crematoria used by local funeral directors: Canford Crematorium in Westbury on Trym; South Bristol in Bedminster Down (both within Bristol City Council administrative boundary); Westerleigh, south of Yate; and Coney Hill in Gloucester.

Research amongst local funeral directors shows that these four facilities are all over-subscribed with waiting times extending to over two weeks and sometimes longer  when death rates are higher; for example when in the winter when death rates can be 40% higher than average.

The increasing demand for cremations is driven by the ageing population across the UK. The picture is mirrored in South Gloucestershire as the tables below demonstrate.
 

Research carried out amongst local funeral directors has revealed that booking a convenient service time is becoming increasingly difficult. Additionally travel times to these crematoria can take between 35-55+ minutes depending on chosen location and time of day.

• Canford and South Bristol undertake 4000 cremations every year, an average of 16 a day
• Westerleigh anticipates 600 funerals at their increased facility rising to 1100
• There are no known plans to develop or expand the existing local authority facilities at Gloucester or Canford
• Canford Lane also has little designated parking and no on-site facilities for refreshments
• Westerleigh will be adding to its facilities in the future, with planning permission for a second chapel and refreshment area

Thornbury Crematorium will provide a peaceful and continuous environment for people to visit and remember their families and friends.