Baldarroch Chapel and Crematorium

09/05/2025

It is hard to believe that it is 9 years today that Baldarroch Chapel & Crematorium open its doors to the public for the very first time on the 9th of May 2016. During that time over 8000 bereaved families have passed through Baldarroch to say a final farewell to their loved ones. Unfortunately, many of these families had had to utilise on services on more than one occasion. My thoughts on this day are with each and every one of these families. I hope that the tranquil setting, the ambiance of the building and the personal and compassionate service offered by the staff here at Baldarroch has been of comfort to them all during the most difficult of times.

There are numerous people who have contributed to the success of Baldarroch and these individuals are due a well-deserved thank you.

• First and foremost of all my fantastic staff here at Baldarroch namely Jade Garden, Kathy Badcock and Stuart Park. They provide an absolutely first-class service in everything they do in support of bereaved families and funeral directors of North East Scotland and beyond. All of them are absolutely dedicated to their job and nothing is ever too much trouble for them. A fact that is emphasised on a weekly basis by the number of emails and thank you cards we receive from bereaved families expressing gratitude for the way they have looked after during on the most difficult of days. I can say honestly Jade, Kathy & Stuart set a level of customer care that is second to none.

• Our superbly talented organist's Hugh Melvin and Natalie Huntington for their professionalism and flexibility. They both ensure that we always meet the musical requirements requested by families to allow them to say farewell to their loved ones in a fitting and appropriate manner. Music is a hugely important part of a funeral service and without doubt it brings back many fond and happy memories of the deceased’s lifetime.

• All of the officiants who have conducted funerals for delivering their comforting, thoughtful and poignant services which no doubt helps make a difficult day a little bit easier for bereaved families.

• The funeral directors who have used us for their business and the loyalty and friendship they have shown to us since we opened. It is very much a team effort between the funeral directors and ourselves to ensure families wishes for the day of the funeral are met.

I look forward to working with all of these people over the coming years to ensure the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst their family and friends are shown empathy, kindness and looked after with utter professionalism as they come to terms with their loss.

Thank you one and all for your unwavering support, is very much appreciated by not just myself but by each and every family who have suffered the loss of their loved ones. You are all outstanding individuals working in a profession that you are all passionate about; keep up the good work as not everyone is cut out to do your very special job.

Brian Petrie

30/04/2025

We are currently in the process of getting a generator installed here at Baldarroch which will allow us to carry on with funeral services in the event of a power outage. To facilitate the installation process the power at Baldarroch will be switched off between approximately 0800 and 1300hrs on Thu 1 May 25. During this time we will obviously have no computers or telephones so you won’t be able to get in contact with us until the power is restored. We will of course be in the office during this time to host any visitors to Baldarroch.

Finally, we can only apologise for any inconvenience caused. However, the short term pain will be a long term gain when we know that we will no longer be affected by power outages which unfortunately appear to becoming a more regular occurrence.

14/01/2025

We have just been made aware that on Wed 15 Jan 25 there will be roadworks near Baldarroch were a new telegraph pole is being erected. If you exit Baldarroch and turn left towards Crathes School you will come across a 2 way traffic light system approximately 200 meters from the entrance to Baldarroch (i.e. just past Baldarroch farm). Whilst you will be able to travel along this road past the traffic lights for the majority of the day there will be a period of time were the lights in both directions are going to be on red for up and possibly beyond 15 minutes as the new pole is erected. Therefore, you are strongly advised not to travel to/from Baldarroch via that direction on Wed 15 Jan 25. Access to Baldarroch via the A93 (North Deeside Road) will be unaffected so it is recommended that everyone uses that route.

24/12/2024

Following the tragic loss of their 22 year old son Adam, Paula & Scott Lawson approached Baldarroch Chapel & Crematorium earlier this year to suggest installing a ‘Letters to Heaven’ Post Box having read about them in the press and social media. Post boxes to Heaven was initially the idea of 9 year old Matilda Handy who suggested installing a “Letters to Heaven’ post box at crematorium near her home as she mourned her grandparents. She wanted to send them cards and letters and was the first to use the post box when it was installed at a Crematorium near Nottingham and they have since been introduced at numerous locations throughout the United Kingdom.

As a result of this suggestion Brian Smith came up with a plan to build a Cairn with a post box incorporated into it which was more fitting of Baldarroch’s rural location. McAskill Builders were tasked with building the Cairn and it was finally delivered on site on 23 Dec 24.

Paula, Scott and other family members gathered at Baldarroch on the afternoon of 24 Dec 24 where Brian Smith formally opened the Baldarroch Cairn ‘Letters to Heaven’ post box. He thanked Paula & Scott for their initial suggestion about the post box and invited them to post the very first letter in memory of Adam.

The Baldarroch Cairn ‘Letters to Heven’ post box is a communal platform where anyone can deposit their letters and cards. This inclusivity ensures that all bereaved families regardless of their background or beliefs, feel welcome to participate in a meaningful gesture of remembrance for those who have sadly passed away.

05/11/2024

I am very proud to say that Baldarroch Chapel & Crematorium is once again one of the six finalst's in the Scottish Funeral Awards. Thank you so much to the kind people/organisations who took time out of their busy schedules to nominate us for the award of Best Crematorium in Scotland for 2024. It is always nice to be appreciated.

A huge thank must go to my staff here at Baldarroch namely Jade Garden, Kathy Badcock and Stuart Park and of course our hugely talanted organists Natalie Huntington and Hugh Melvin who are very much part of the fantastic team. It is nice to see their empathy and compassion for our bereaved families, hard work, dedication and the fantastic working relationship we have with the funeral directors being acknowledge within the Scottish funeral industry as a centre of excellence. Well to done to you all and keep up the good work.

10/06/2024

Just a reminder that the roadworks outlined on the post below commence today. Everyone travelling to Baldarroch over the next 8 to 10 weeks should allow themselves plenty of time to time to navigate their way through the traffic lights which will no doubt cause delays.

We have been informed by Aberdeenshire Council that with effect from Mon 10 Jun 24 there will be roadworks in operation which will affect the flow of traffic coming and going from Baldarroch. The work will include street lighting and footpath widening on the A93 (North Deeside Road) at Crathes which will mean 4 way traffic light system will be in operation which will run for a period of between 8 to 10 weeks. The traffic lights will be on the A93 heading East and West at Crathes, the junction with the A957 (Slug Road) and the junction at the unlisted road leading to Baldarroch (i.e. the area shown on the attached map). These traffic lights will no doubt significantly slow down the flow of traffic using Baldarroch. Can I please ask that you inform all of your staff, officiants and principle mourners of these forthcoming roadworks and advise them to allow plenty of time to navigate the traffic light system. Any inconvenience caused is very much regretted but totally outwith our control.

06/06/2024

We have been informed by Aberdeenshire Council that with effect from Mon 10 Jun 24 there will be roadworks in operation which will affect the flow of traffic coming and going from Baldarroch. The work will include street lighting and footpath widening on the A93 (North Deeside Road) at Crathes which will mean 4 way traffic light system will be in operation which will run for a period of between 8 to 10 weeks. The traffic lights will be on the A93 heading East and West at Crathes, the junction with the A957 (Slug Road) and the junction at the unlisted road leading to Baldarroch (i.e. the area shown on the attached map). These traffic lights will no doubt significantly slow down the flow of traffic using Baldarroch. Can I please ask that you inform all of your staff, officiants and principle mourners of these forthcoming roadworks and advise them to allow plenty of time to navigate the traffic light system. Any inconvenience caused is very much regretted but totally outwith our control.

09/05/2024

8 years ago today Baldarroch Chapel & Crematorium open its doors to the public for the very first time; where has the time gone! My thoughts on this day are especially with the thousands of bereaved families who have passed through Baldarroch during this time to say a final farewell to their loved one. Unfortunately many of these families have had to use Baldarroch on more than one occassion. I hope that the tranquil setting, the ambiance of the building and the personal and compassionate service offered by the staff here at Baldarroch has been of comfort to them all during the most difficult of times.

There are numerous people who have contributed to the success of Baldarroch and these individuals are due a well-deserved thank you.
• First and foremost of all my fantastic staff here at Baldarroch namely Jade Garden, Kathy Badcock and Stuart Park who provide an absolutely first-class service in everything they do in support of bereaved families and funeral directors of North East Scotland and beyond. They are all absolutely dedicated to their job and nothing is ever too much trouble for them. A fact that is emphasised on a weekly basis by the amount of emails and thank you cards we receive from bereaved families expressing gratitude for the way they have looked after their nearest and dearest.
• Our superbly talented organist's Hugh Melvin and Natalie Huntington for their professionalism and flexibility. They both ensure that we always meet the musical requirements requested by families to allow them to say farewell to their loved ones in a fitting and appropriate manner. Music is a hugely important part of a funeral service and without doubt it brings back many fond and happy memories of the deceased’s lifetime.
• All of the officiants who have conducted funerals for delivering their comforting, thoughtful and poignant services which no doubt helps make a difficult day a little bit easier for bereaved families.
• The funeral directors who have used us for their business and the loyalty and friendship they have shown to us since we opened.

I look forward to working with all of these people in the future to ensure the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst their family and friends are shown empathy, kindness and looked after with utter professionalism as they come to terms with their loss.

Thank you one and all for your unwavering support is very much appreciated by not just myself but by each an every family who have suffered the loss of their loved ones. You are all outstanding individuals working in a profession that you are all passionate about; keep up the good work as not everyone is cut out to do your very special job.

Brian Petrie

09/05/2023

It is hard to believe that it is 7 years ago today since Baldarroch Chapel & Crematorium open its doors to the public for the very first time. My thoughts are with all of bereaved families who have passed through Baldarroch during this time to say a final farewell to their loved one. I hope that the tranquil setting, the ambiance of the building and the personal and compassionate service offered by the staff here at Baldarroch has been of comfort to them during the most difficult of times. There are numerous people who have contributed to the success of Baldarroch and these individuals are due a well-deserved thank you.

• First and foremost of all my fantastic staff here at Baldarroch namely Jade Garden, Kathy Badcock and Stuart Park who all provide an absolutely first-class service in everything they do in support of bereaved families and funeral directors. They are all absolutely dedicated to their job and nothing is too much trouble for them. A fact that is emphasised on a weekly basis by the amount of e-mails and thank you cards we receive from bereaved families expressing gratitude for the way they have looked after peoples nearest and dearest.

• Our superbly talented organist's Hugh Melvin and Natalie Huntington for their professionalism and flexibility. They both ensure that we always meet the musical requirements requested by families to allow them to say farewell to their loved ones in a fitting manner. Music is a huge and important part of a funeral service and without doubt it brings back many fond and happy memories of the deceased’s lifetime.

• All of the officiants who have conducted funerals for delivering their comforting, thoughtful and poignant services which no doubt helps make a difficult day a little bit easier for bereaved families.

• The funeral directors who have used us for their business and the loyalty and friendship they have shown to us since we opened. I look forward to working with all of these people in the future to ensure the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst their family and friends are shown empathy, kindness and looked after with utter professionalism as they come to terms with their loss.

Thank you one and all for your unwavering support is very much appreciated by not just myself but by each an every family who have suffered the loss of their loved ones.

Brian Petrie