Basildon and District Crematorium & Cemetery

03/10/2025

Our new podcast Before You Go is now live — with the first three episodes available to listen to today from Dr Bill Webster, Emma Britton and Duncan Reynolds.

Hosted by Matt Brook, the podcast invites guests to share open and honest conversations about death, grief, and the way we remember produced in collaboration with Empica.

Listen now to all three episodes and follow us on Spotify to stay up to date with future episodes: https://ow.ly/KZNL50X4emh

02/10/2025

As we countdown to the launch of our first three episodes of Before You Go, take a listen to our latest trailer featuring Duncan Reynolds, Managing Director of Odlings Ltd in Hull — a wholesale masonry business with a legacy of over 150 years.

In this conversation, Duncan and Matt explore memorial options, clear up common misconceptions about memorialisation, and discuss its environmental sustainability.

Listen now and follow Before You Go on Spotify so you don’t miss the full episode when it drops: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4RSuEVD6DiDu3r4k19mSRa?si=6lv0df-7RiSy52KdO8EtJQ

Before You Go · Episode

01/10/2025

In our latest Before You Go trailer, host Matt Brook sits down with Emma the Celebrant — a funeral celebrant from Bridgwater who has supported more than 800 bereaved families since training with the United Kingdom Society of Celebrants in 2020.

Before becoming a celebrant, Emma spent 13 years as a BBC local radio presenter across Somerset and Bristol.

Emma shares her story with honesty and courage: in April 2025, her life changed when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ALK-positive lung cancer — a rare genetic cancer that is incurable but, thanks to modern medicine, can be managed.

Listen to Emma’s powerful conversation in the trailer now, and follow Before You Go on Spotify to hear the full episode this Friday: https://ow.ly/hT3f50X53uh

01/10/2025

A lovely video from Michael over at Babworth Crematorium today showing the process of our living memorials and how they’re carefully prepared for our loved one’s 🌹❤️

30/09/2025

On International Podcast Day, we’re proud to announce the launch of our new podcast ‘Before You Go’, produced in collaboration with Empica.

Hosted by Matt Brook, Before You Go invites a range of guests to have open and honest conversations about death, grief, and the way we remember — topics worth talking about before you go.

The first full episode drops this Friday, but you can listen to the trailer now featuring our first guest, Dr Bill Webster, a grief counsellor who turned personal loss into a lifelong mission to support others.

Listen to the trailer here: https://ow.ly/C5ci50X4emy

Read more about the podcast here: https://ow.ly/BXex50X4faZ

30/09/2025

We are delighted to be only the second crematorium in the world and the only crematorium in the local area to be able to offer inclusive canvas walls in our Riverview chapel. It's fantastic that we are able to incorporate local landmarks when a family are celebrating the life of a loved one. We have the option of local landmark Wat Tyler country park being available as a canvas wall when a loved one's service takes place in our Riverview chapel. Each funeral is individual and unique to that individual, no funeral is the same and we will always accommodate and encourage personalisation however big or small.

Please contact us on 01268584411 for any queries regarding this or if you would like to visit and see all the options available, alternatively please speak to your local Funeral Director for additional information.

27/09/2025

Immersive funeral services are coming soon to two more Westerleigh crematoria!

Over the next few weeks, chapels in Vale Royal Crematorium and Sedgemoor Crematorium will be transformed with cutting-edge technology designed to create truly personal service experiences.

From seasonal landscapes and peaceful natural backdrops to the energy of a football stadium, families will have a wide choice of themes - each customisable to reflect the life being remembered in a unique and meaningful way.

This innovation will give even more families around the country the opportunity to celebrate their loved ones like never before.

Find out more: https://www.westerleighgroup.co.uk/blog/post.php?s=2025-09-26-westerleigh-group-name-two-more-funeral-super-venues

25/09/2025

We are privileged and honoured to offer these options to families when remembering a loved one. There are a number of canvas walls available to personalise a loved one's service in our Riverview chapel. Also, when opting for a music tribute, these 25 photo's are displayed on our beautiful gallery wall in the Riverview waiting room before the service allowing guests to see these memories upon arrival. Please speak to your Funeral Director or contact us on 01268584411 for additional information or to arrange a time to come and have a look in person.

25/09/2025

We are pleased to be supporting Child Bereavement UK's Christmas Concert at The Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, on Monday 1st December 2025.

The concert will feature Adil Ray, Bear Grylls OBE, Dominic West, Naomi Simon (BBC Young Chorister of the Year), and Red Hot Strings.

Funds raised will help Child Bereavement UK continue their vital work supporting children, young people, and families coping with the devastating loss of a loved one.

As one of the charity’s partners, we have pledged to donate at least £100,000 over the next two years to support their work.

Tickets are £40 (early bird until 30 September) or £50 standard.
Find out more and book here:

Join us for an enchanting evening with special guests.

24/09/2025

This week marks 1 year of the Canvas Wall at Gedling Crematorium allowing us to host immersive funeral services for families to celebrate their loved ones.

It's an honour to help families celebrate their loved ones in a uniquely personal way and continue to bring the canvas wall to other Westerleigh Group crematoriums with the help of the team at Obitus.

24/09/2025

We have launched Westerleigh Funeral Plans - trust-backed plans designed to be fulfilled by funeral directors in partnership with Westerleigh crematoria.

Key benefits include fixed pricing, a low admin fee, and three plan options from full attended services to direct cremation.

To find out more email: fdplans@westerleighgroup.co.uk

Full details here: https://ow.ly/AEWE50WYG1V

24/09/2025

Westerleigh Group has launched Westerleigh Funeral Plans - trust-backed plans designed to be fulfilled by funeral directors in partnership with Westerleigh crematoria.

Key benefits include fixed pricing, a low admin fee, and three plan options from full attended services to direct cremation.

To find out more email: fdplans@westerleighgroup.co.uk

Full details here: https://ow.ly/AEWE50WYG1V

23/09/2025

There are various canvas wall options available in our Riverview chapel to support with the service of a loved one being personalised. This canvas wall of Hadleigh Castle is a local landmark to our crematorium here in Basildon and was suggested by one our our local Funeral Directors S. Stibbards & Sons We have a number of canvas walls available for when a loved ones service takes place in our Riverview chapel. Please contact us on 01268584411 for any enquiries regarding all the options available.

21/09/2025

It was a pleasure to attend the Cribb talks event on Thursday evening. A very insightful evening with great presentations from Dr Bill Webster, Andrea Woodside and Robert Stephenson. Thank you T Cribb & Sons for your hospitality and welcome.

Tomorrow is our second event talking about the past, present and future of the funeral trade, with guest speakers including Dr Bill Webster, Andrea Woodside and Robert Stephenson. It is due to be an interesting evening with industry leaders sharing their knowledge and experience.

Please register your interest in the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/M48xJpvd7W

19/09/2025

Beautiful photos from a recent service at Treswithian Downs Crematorium this week, featuring a horse-drawn carriage.

A touching and memorable way to celebrate a loved one’s life.

18/09/2025

Westerleigh Funeral Plans have now launched. These trust-backed funeral plans are designed to offer those looking to plan ahead peace of mind, with a guaranteed cremation at any Westerleigh Group crematorium.

The plans are offered, and the funeral conducted through local funeral directors and include:
• A range of service options – from traditional attended to direct
• Fixed pricing to protect against rising costs
• Low admin fees
• Dedicated account support and onboarding

If you're a funeral director and would like to find out more about how these plans can support your local community, please visit our website: https://ow.ly/Vzui50WYFYu

18/09/2025

It was a pleasure to host funeral directors yesterday evening at Herne Bay Crematorium for the first of three information evenings introducing our new trust-backed Westerleigh Funeral Plans.

The event was a valuable opportunity to share how these plans can be fully personalised so that families benefit from their local funeral director's expertise and full range of services.

If you were unable to join us but would like to find out more, please visit: https://ow.ly/bmYi50WYATF

10/09/2025

Over the past year, our Sip and Support virtual mental health drop-ins have become a valued space for colleagues to connect, share, and support one another. Thanks to the incredible engagement across the business, we’re excited to take things to the next level - by welcoming external experts and charities to bring fresh insights and professional guidance to the conversation.

To mark Su***de Prevention Day, we were honoured to welcome Josie from Survivors of Bereavement by Su***de - SOBS. Josie delivered a powerful and eye-opening session on the ripple effects of su***de and how we can offer meaningful support to those left behind.

She also led a moving and thought-provoking discussion, where we explored the power of language, the weight of stigma, and what it truly means to bring comfort and peace of mind to families navigating unimaginable loss. We look forward to working with SoBS in the future and making a difference within the bereavement sector.

07/09/2025

We are pleased to be supporting the ‘Gone Too Soon’ memorial service that is taking place on Saturday 4th October at 10.30am in our Riverview chapel. All are welcome to attend.

27/08/2025

Thank you to all of our industry colleagues who joined us yesterday evening to see first-hand our newly transformed Riverview Chapel and understand how it will support families in Basildon, Essex and beyond.

Developed in partnership with Obitus the chapel has been designed to transform how we celebrate life and honour memory of a loved one. With cutting-edge technology, tailored sound and visuals, and immersive themes, the chapel enables a level of personalisation not currently available anywhere else locally.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the preview, and to Obitus for the innovation that has helped us bring this vision to life.

Learn more about our transformation here: https://ow.ly/l44550WM0lT and contact our team if you’d like to arrange a tour of our new facilities.

17/07/2025

It was a pleasure to welcome so many of our local funeral directors and celebrants yesterday evening as we unveiled our new immersive services, coming soon to Basildon Crematorium.

We will be only the second location in the world to offer this pioneering experience — a truly transformative step in how we’re able to celebrate loved ones and their individual stories. Captured through dynamic Canvas projections, lighting and soundscapes, families will be able to personalise services in ways never before possible.

We look forward to keeping you updated on this exciting journey as we work together with Obitus to bring our chapel to life.

30/06/2025

Memorials are more than objects—they're stories, memories, and love made lasting.
With our new Online Memorials website, you can create a lasting tribute, whether it’s a keepsake, urn, or unique piece of memorial jewellery.
Visit : https://www.basildoncrem.co.uk/memorials-online/

15/06/2025

On this Father's Day, we hold in our hearts everyone who is remembering a much-missed father, or father figure 💙

Our Gardens of Remembrance remain open to all who seek a quiet space for reflection and remembrance. Whether you choose to visit, light a candle, or simply take a moment in your own way, we hope today brings comfort and cherished memories.

10/06/2025

Just to make everyone aware that London road is closed from the roundabout at Rectory road approaching the crematorium. Access to the crematorium is only accessible via saddlers farm roundabout due to water main works along London road.