SAIF Golden Charter

New crematorium for Kent

A brand new crematorium is due to open next month to serve the Kent communities in and around Herne Bay, Whitstable and Canterbury.

Herne Bay Crematorium will be the 40th site within Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with other facilities 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 will be one of the most environmentally-friendly crematoria in the country.

Herne Bay Crematorium, in Bullockstone Road, is set within 14 acres of picturesque grounds, surrounded by mature woodland and agricultural fields.

At the heart of the site is a contemporary chapel building which is light, airy and welcoming, with a seating capacity of 105 and significant additional space available.

Its size and décor will provide an intimate environment for smaller gatherings, while being able to comfortably accommodate larger congregations.

The site has 89 standard parking spaces and four accessible parking spaces, plus an overflow car park.

Herne Bay Crematorium features the latest advanced filtration and abatement technology, including NOx abatement, which will make a significant contribution towards offsetting the site’s carbon footprint.

And to reduce its dependency on external sources of energy, a solar photovoltaic system, zonal heating system and low energy lighting are being installed Furthermore, the site will be fitted with electric vehicle charging stations to accommodate charging of four vehicles.

Westerleigh Group has built its reputation on providing exceptional care in all that it does and working with the bereaved to create uniquely personal funerals for their loved ones.

Herne Bay Crematorium has a modern media centre offering live webcasts, an almost unlimited music library, through its partner Obitus, and two high-resolution tribute screens which can be used for slide shows and other tributes. There are also additional tribute screens located within the main entrance lobby and externally under the porte cochere.

The first manager of the new crematorium will be James Brown, who has been manager of another Westerleigh site in Kent, Charing Crematorium, since July 2022.

James joined the funeral sector in 2012 after finishing university, as a chapel organist at Charing and Barham crematoria.

In August 2016 he joined the team at Barham full-time as a crematorium assistant, before transferring to Charing in 2019, first as assistant manager and then manager.

He said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge of managing a brand-new, purpose-built facility and being able to reach out to the funeral directors and families in and around the Herne Bay area.

“I want Herne Bay Crematorium to become a very good neighbour and establish an extremely positive presence in the local community.”

To find out more about Herne Bay Crematorium, its facilities and the services it offers, visit here.