Message from the Chairman

On the 4th August 1960, the first Cremation took place at the then new Durham Crematorium, which had been built at a cost of £60,000.00.

Almost 50 years later, it is my privilege to chair the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee that has been responsible for the operation of Durham Crematorium since it’s inception.

The Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee has always striven to provide the highest standards of operation, the best levels of service to the Bereaved and to maintain the grounds to a high standard.

There have been many challenges along the way with new legislation often being the trigger for improvement and so it is once more as the Committee has recently approved a £2.3million scheme to install new Cremators and Mercury Abatement Plant together with improvements to the roadways and the provision of a new and larger Car Park.

The works will commence early in 2011 and will be completed in time to meet tough new Emission Regulation before the end of 2012.

This will be a challenging time as the Crematorium will continue to operate as normal during these works and every effort will be made to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible to the Bereaved, Funeral Directors, Clergy and Funeral Celebrants.

These works will ensure that once again Durham Crematorium will have the very latest efficient and clean Cremators, and the best facilities to meet the challenges of the next 50 years.

Councillor Maria Plews
Chairman of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee

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