The Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar (centre, right) at Bentley Crematorium with (left to right) Dignity's Steve Wilkinson, commercial accountant; Steve Gant, general manager – crematoria and Michelle Hales, crematorium manager.
Eric Pickles MP visits Bentley Crematorium
On Friday 21 June, The Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar visited Bentley Crematorium & Cemetery in Brentwood.
As Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Mr. Pickles had expressed an interest in discovering more about the facilities offered by the crematorium. This new facility will offer reduced journey times for local bereaved families as until now the nearest crematoria were in Upminster or Chelmsford, 30 – 40 minutes drive away. Mr Pickles inspected the state-of-the-art facility which has a Chapel that is able to seat over 100 visitors with additional standing space for larger services, two large screens in the Chapel which allow for videos and photographs to be displayed during a funeral, a number of musical options, a loop facility to help those that have difficulty with hearing and facilities for the disabled.
The Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles said, “The setting for Bentley Crematorium is peaceful and beautifully landscaped, which I am sure will be of great comfort to the families visiting on what will be, naturally, a sad occasion. I was very impressed by the facilities on offer for services, and the air of quiet calm which surrounds the new building and its grounds. Visiting a crematorium is never going to be a happy event, but this new crematorium offers local families the chance to lay their loved ones to rest with dignity and respect in peaceful surroundings.”
“It was a real honour that Mr Pickles gave up his valuable time to pay us a visit,” said Crematorium Manager, Michelle Hales. “I believe that he was impressed with our commitment to providing a high quality service to the local community.”
Bentley Crematorium & Cemetery was officially opened last March by the Bishop of Bradwell, The Right Reverend John Wraw and the Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr. Ann Coe. It is operated by Dignity, a British company who have 38 other crematoria across the UK.
Other Stories
-
Skipton Funeral Directors becomes new drop-off point for Skipton Food Bank Skipton Funeral Directors has become a new drop-off point for Skipton Food Bank, an independent food bank that provides emergency food parcels for people in the Skipton and Craven area.
-
Harry is flippin' brilliant in pancake race competition On Tuesday 28th March, Harry Hamlin, a Funeral Director at C S Bowyer in Bradford on Avon took part in the towns annual Pancake Race.
-
Fulham Funeral Directors in the Tower of London Fulham Funeral Directors, R Brain and G Gamble & Son had the rare honour of carrying out a funeral at the Tower of London.
-
Historic Ledger Preserved for Future Generations A historic ledger containing coffin plate inscriptions dating back nearly 150 years has recently be rebound and preserved for generations to come.
-
Islington branch supports Pearly King and Queen Event Staff from Thomas Treacy in Islington showed their support for the annual Pearly King and Queen Event on Saturday 24 September at Guildhall in the City of London.
-
Charity Car Wash Raises £543 Staff from Woodfield Park Funeral Home hold car wash to raise money for defibrillators to be installed in all Welsh schools.