Dedication service at Sirhowy Valley Crematorium

Funeral directors, celebrants, members of the clergy and senior representatives from many organisations within the bereavement sector came together for a Service of Dedication at Sirhowy Valley Crematorium.

The facility is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 36 other sites across England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully-landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

It is Westerleigh Group’s tradition to dedicate a new crematorium to its community, an occasion which usually takes place approximately 12 months after its opening.

Sirhowy Valley Crematorium opened in February 2021. It was originally planned to hold the Service of Dedication in Autumn of that year but, like so many events, it had to be postponed because of the pandemic.

The service of Dedication was led by Father Mark Owen, The Church of Wales Area Dean, who was joined by Teify Ebeneezer, a local Baptist Minister, and civil celebrants John Thompson and Gwyn Davies.

Father Mark expressed his gratitude for Sirhowy Valley Crematorium, which meant grieving families no longer faced a long journey in order to honour their lost loved ones.

He said it was important for the bereaved to be able to mourn and that Sirhowy Valley Crematorium offered a beautiful, local setting while its staff provided exceptional care.

Teify Ebeneezer also praised the team at the crematorium for ensuring that ‘nothing requested is ever too much trouble’ when it comes to caring for the bereaved.

Sirhowy Valley Crematorium Site Manager Jon Deacon thanked everyone for supporting the crematorium since it opened, especially given all the restrictions introduced in response to the coronavirus crisis.

He said he was proud that his team had been able to take care of the loved ones of so many local families since Sirhowy Valley Crematorium opened.

Ed Lane, Westerleigh Group’s Operations Director, gave an address which outlined the journey that was taken from the first suggestions that a new Crematorium was needed to identifying a site and then constructing the crematorium.

Civil celebrant Gwyn Davies read a poem he had written especially for the Service of Dedication, which was a reflection of the crematorium and its place in the community.

No Dedication service would be complete without music and singing, especially in Wales.

Several hymns were sung by the congregation and soloist Kaysha Louvaine performed moving versions of Bridge Over Trouble Water and The Impossible Dream.

The service was followed by lunch in a marquee at the site.

Mr Deacon said: “It was a dignified and beautiful service, and I would like to thank everyone who attended and who has supported Sirhowy Valley Crematorium since we started serving the local community.”

To find out more about Sirhowy Valley Crematorium, visit www.sirhowyvalleycrem.co.uk