Kirkwall gains funeral home

Funeral directors across Scotland attended the official opening of John G Corse’s newest custom-built funeral home.

The impressive new premises sits in the Independent’s own grounds with a huge car park, and the building houses an office/arrangement room with state-of-the art video system for family or extra mourners to watch the service in comfort.

There are also two spacious viewing rooms and a service room, which seats 85, with windows paying tribute to Orkney’s famous standing stones. The whole building is furnished with locally crafted traditional Orkney chairs and tables, and also includes a state-of the-art mortuary and a large garage for the vehicles.

Locals came out in droves to see the funeral home over the opening weekend, with 700 visitors in total. It had been a dream of John Corse’s to build a funeral home on the island, and he and the family said they were delighted with the result.

Among the funeral directors present was SAIF Scotland President Mark Porteous, who said he and fellow SAIF Scotland members were delighted with the facilities created for the islanders.

He said: “The warm welcome and hospitality shown to all SAIF members was second to none. As our most northerly member, John should be proud he has set the benchmark for other SAIF members to follow. With sons Calum and Ross in the business, this three-generation family funeral directors is well placed for the future.”

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