Forest of Dean Crematorium

12/11/2025

This week, our site at New Southgate Cemetery & Crematorium, proudly honoured the life of Dorothy Lawrence, believed to be the only woman to serve on the front line during the First World War.

Disguised as a man, Dorothy joined the trenches in 1915 and served with extraordinary courage and resilience. Her bravery, individuality, and pioneering spirit continue to inspire generations.

A new memorial headstone has now been placed at her resting place, ensuring her legacy is recognised and remembered.

Read more about Dorothy’s remarkable story here: https://ow.ly/YS6H50XqB0P

11/11/2025

We recently told you all about our upcoming Christmas Carol and Memorial service at our Crematorium on Friday 5th December at 6pm. If you would like to attend, please call (01594 826624) or email us to confirm your attendance.❤

In addition to this, those who wish to attend also have the opportunity to share a photo of a loved one with us and this will be displayed on a slideshow on our screen during the service.
The deadline for sending your photos is 12pm on Friday 28th November.
Please email your photos to forestofdean@westerleighgroup.co.uk

We hope to see you there ❤

10/11/2025

Will you be attending our annual Christmas Carol and Memorial service?

We are delighted to invite you all to our annual Christmas service on Friday 5th December at 6pm, at the Forest of Dean Crematorium.
As always, we will be joined by a fantastic choir and there will be light refreshments and an opportunity to remember loved ones.

If you wish to attend, please either call the office on 01594 826624 or email forestofdean@westerleighgroup.co.uk to confirm your attendance.

We hope to see you there ❤

09/11/2025

This Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, we honour and remember all those who have served, sacrificed, and lost their lives in service. 🌹

As we come together this weekend and on Tuesday, let us pause, reflect, and show our gratitude to those who fought.

06/11/2025

Work continues to progress well on our new site in Cramlington, Newcastle. Below is a brief update alongside the latest images from site showing how things are shaping up as we close out week 2:

🔹 Plate bearing tests are booked
🔹 Piling scheduled to begin week commencing 17th November – with efforts underway to bring this forward
🔹 Works on the overflow car park are progressing steadily

Great to see strong momentum on this project so early on. More updates to follow as we continue building this important new facility.

31/10/2025

In our latest episode of Before You Go, Matt sits down with Ross Hickton, Managing Director of Hickton Family Funeral Directors, 4th-generation Funeral Director, and National President of SAIF.

Together, they discuss what it means to lead a family business through four generations, the evolving landscape of independent funeral care, and Ross’s vision for the future of the profession.

This episode offers an insightful look at leadership, legacy, and the balance between tradition and innovation in one of the UK’s most compassionate sectors.

Listen now on Spotify: https://ow.ly/krf450XkMiZ

28/10/2025

And we’re off again!

Works on our latest crematorium near Newcastle have started with T. Manners & Sons. We look forward to providing updates and announcing the name and other details about this development in due course.

27/10/2025

We’re proud to announce the official opening of our brand-new crematorium in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh — the first in Scotland to offer families an unprecedented level of personalisation when celebrating their loved one’s life.

At the heart of this beautiful new site is our innovative canvas technology, which transforms the entire front wall of the chapel into an immersive experience through visuals, lighting, and soundscapes — creating a truly unique farewell that reflects each individual’s personality and story.

As part of Westerleigh Group, East Lothian Crematorium represents the next step in our commitment to providing exceptional care, comfort, and choice to families, while setting new standards in sustainability and accessibility.

Learn more about what makes this new site so special: https://ow.ly/HIj150XikaF

24/10/2025

We’re proud to share highlights from our launch event- the unveiling of Scotland’s first immersive funeral venue at East Lothian.

The event brought together funeral professionals, our colleagues, and partners from Obitus to experience first-hand how innovative sound, lighting and visual technology can help families say goodbye in a more personal and meaningful way.

24/10/2025

Bringing the super venue to the South West.

Last night, we welcomed our industry colleagues to Sedgemoor Crematorium to share our exciting plans to introduce the super venue concept here this December.

Thank you Obitus for your help on the night.

Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e9XWfkXP

Images of the chapel after installation have been kindly provided by Basildon and District Crematorium & Cemetery, also operated by Westerleigh Group.

23/10/2025

💛💛💛

Please respect their final journey … ❤️🚘

An important message from R.W. Mann & Son Funeral Directors in Leominster:

“Just lately we are having more and more drivers on the roads being impatient and trying to push in on the Funeral Cortège’s in between the Hearse and the Limousines with bereaved family members in, and even on funerals with our horses too.

“This is happening to the point where accidents have nearly been caused because someone just wants to cut in or to cut through.

“We appreciate we drive slower, but this is someone’s final journey, and this is done out of respect.

“Whether this makes you 30 seconds, one minute or two minutes late for where you need to be, think about that person who has passed and the families that are following.

“A final journey is so precious.” 🤍

16/10/2025

The future of funerals is coming to Vale Royal!

This week, Vale Royal Crematorium was proud to host a preview evening for local funeral directors and celebrants, offering a first look at the immersive Super Venue technology arriving this November.

As the only crematorium in the north of England to introduce this innovative technology, we’re proud to be leading the way in transforming how families can honour their loved ones — creating farewells that are more personal, meaningful, and reflective of individual lives.

Featuring dynamic Canvas walls, atmospheric lighting, and carefully curated soundscapes, this technology brings a new level of personalisation and experience to the funeral service.

A big thank you to our colleagues and to the team at Obitus for the engaging presentation and Q&A session.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we share more glimpses of this exciting development.

03/10/2025

Our new podcast Before You Go is now live — with the first three episodes available to listen to today from Dr Bill Webster, Emma Britton and Duncan Reynolds.

Hosted by Matt Brook, the podcast invites guests to share open and honest conversations about death, grief, and the way we remember produced in collaboration with Empica.

Listen now to all three episodes and follow us on Spotify to stay up to date with future episodes: https://ow.ly/KZNL50X4emh

24/09/2025

Westerleigh Group has launched Westerleigh Funeral Plans - trust-backed plans designed to be fulfilled by funeral directors in partnership with Westerleigh crematoria.

Key benefits include fixed pricing, a low admin fee, and three plan options from full attended services to direct cremation.

To find out more email: fdplans@westerleighgroup.co.uk

Full details here: https://ow.ly/AEWE50WYG1V

18/09/2025

Westerleigh Funeral Plans have now launched. These trust-backed funeral plans are designed to offer those looking to plan ahead peace of mind, with a guaranteed cremation at any Westerleigh Group crematorium.

The plans are offered, and the funeral conducted through local funeral directors and include:
• A range of service options – from traditional attended to direct
• Fixed pricing to protect against rising costs
• Low admin fees
• Dedicated account support and onboarding

If you're a funeral director and would like to find out more about how these plans can support your local community, please visit our website: https://ow.ly/UBVX50WYFZ5

18/09/2025

Keisha, the Assistant Manager at the Forest of Dean Crematorium, recently visited Ernest Heal and Sons Funeral Directors for the day and spent the day learning about their processes and day to day runnings.

Building strong rapports with our Funeral Directors is so important to us. Whilst the work we do at the Crematorium is different to the work they do, it is so important to have a good understanding of their work so that we can work together effectively and provide care and support to those who need it.

Thank you to all staff at Ernest Heals for being so welcoming. ❤️

05/09/2025

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On this Fundraising Friday we'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to Forest of Dean Crematorium who have generously donated £800.

"At the Forest of Dean Crematorium, we have recently noticed an increase in deaths by tragic circumstances. This recent increase sparked an important conversation amongst the team and made us think about what we can do to help. Prevention of suicide is often seen as a taboo subject, but it is something so vitally important to discuss."

The team recently met with our very own Nia, and chose to support our work helping children and young people across the Forest and the wider county.

"We hope our donation of £800 enables them to continue the important and often life-saving support."