Forest of Dean Crematorium

24/10/2025

We’re proud to share highlights from our launch event- the unveiling of Scotland’s first immersive funeral venue at East Lothian.

The event brought together funeral professionals, our colleagues, and partners from Obitus to experience first-hand how innovative sound, lighting and visual technology can help families say goodbye in a more personal and meaningful way.

24/10/2025

Bringing the super venue to the South West.

Last night, we welcomed our industry colleagues to Sedgemoor Crematorium to share our exciting plans to introduce the super venue concept here this December.

Thank you Obitus for your help on the night.

Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e9XWfkXP

Images of the chapel after installation have been kindly provided by Basildon and District Crematorium & Cemetery, also operated by Westerleigh Group.

16/10/2025

The future of funerals is coming to Vale Royal!

This week, Vale Royal Crematorium was proud to host a preview evening for local funeral directors and celebrants, offering a first look at the immersive Super Venue technology arriving this November.

As the only crematorium in the north of England to introduce this innovative technology, we’re proud to be leading the way in transforming how families can honour their loved ones — creating farewells that are more personal, meaningful, and reflective of individual lives.

Featuring dynamic Canvas walls, atmospheric lighting, and carefully curated soundscapes, this technology brings a new level of personalisation and experience to the funeral service.

A big thank you to our colleagues and to the team at Obitus for the engaging presentation and Q&A session.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we share more glimpses of this exciting development.

09/10/2025

It’s been another productive week on site, with strong progress across several areas with City Gate Construction.

Inside the chapel, Obitus made a successful start yesterday with the installation of projectors, a lobby screen, and speakers. This week, the focus is on completing lighting and sound elements so that floor preparation can begin tomorrow.

Plasterers are back on site addressing walls now that the lighting is in place, helping to minimise future snags. Electricians and decorators continue to work efficiently alongside the mechanical team, who have confirmed that all commissioning should be complete by Friday.

Externally, all trees around the car park have now been planted, and work on the hedging has begun. The Floral Tribute area is complete and ready for fencing, with block paving and kerb work continuing. The entrance area is also being cleared, marking another step forward towards completion.

The site is really starting to take shape, and it’s great to see the teamwork and collaboration driving steady progress as we prepare to open towards the end of this month.

09/10/2025

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

08/10/2025

Curious about who’s joining us next on Before You Go?

Our host Matt Brook welcomes a range of guests for open and honest conversations about death, grief, and the way we remember — important topics worth talking about before you go.

Follow us on Spotify and be the first to know when new episodes drop: https://ow.ly/ytfs50X4eaa

07/10/2025

A photo taken from last week on a beautiful, sunny day.
Following Storm Amy, the team have been working hard to ensure the site has been cleared of any fallen branches or debris.
We do still ask all our visitors to take extra care when visiting us this week. ❤

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

Westerleigh Group now offers Westerleigh Funeral Plans, created to help funeral directors provide those looking to plan ahead with peace of mind through fixed-price, trust-backed funeral plans.

These plans guarantee a cremation at any Westerleigh Group crematorium and include flexible options to meet families’ needs, all supported by low admin fees and straightforward onboarding for a funeral director.

If you’re a funeral director interested in offering these plans, please contact us at fdplans@westerleighgroup.co.uk or find more info here: https://ow.ly/Kt6n50WYG94

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

At the Forest of Dean Crematorium, we truly believe that the team should receive numerous training opportunities to learn about all different situations that we may encounter. This means we are well equipped and able to support our families and visitors in many circumstances.

Today, Keisha attended the Dementia Awareness training session hosted at The Forest of Dean District Council offices. This session was very informative and highlighted the worries and concerns that those with Dementia may face and the worries their family and friends may have.

Keisha also got to enjoy a coffee and a delicious brownie whilst there. ❤

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 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.

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/UBVX50WYFZ5

18/09/2025

Keisha, the Assistant Manager at the Forest of Dean Crematorium, recently visited Ernest Heal and Sons Funeral Directors for the day and spent the day learning about their processes and day to day runnings.

Building strong rapports with our Funeral Directors is so important to us. Whilst the work we do at the Crematorium is different to the work they do, it is so important to have a good understanding of their work so that we can work together effectively and provide care and support to those who need it.

Thank you to all staff at Ernest Heals for being so welcoming. ❤️

05/09/2025

❤❤

On this Fundraising Friday we'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to Forest of Dean Crematorium who have generously donated £800.

"At the Forest of Dean Crematorium, we have recently noticed an increase in deaths by tragic circumstances. This recent increase sparked an important conversation amongst the team and made us think about what we can do to help. Prevention of su***de is often seen as a taboo subject, but it is something so vitally important to discuss."

The team recently met with our very own Nia, and chose to support our work helping children and young people across the Forest and the wider county.

"We hope our donation of £800 enables them to continue the important and often life-saving support."

03/09/2025

We recently donated £800 to Let's Talk Well from our Metals Recycling fund.
Nia came to visit us to say thank you and to meet the team here at the Crematorium. It was lovely to hear more about the amazing work they do.

Some words from Nia:
"Here at Let’s Talk Well we provide a safe space for young people to talk, be heard and offload when things get tough. Last year over 4,000 young people turned to us for support – without donations like this from Forest of Dean Crematorium we couldn’t continue this free service for children and young people in our county, so we’re incredibly thankful for this donation."

We feel honoured to have been able to help them continue the wonderful work they do.

Mental Health is often a taboo subject, but it's so important to talk about it. ❤

26/08/2025

Funeral Director Spotlight.. 💛

We are very happy to share another one of our wonderful Funeral Director's who we work closely with.

Gordon Blake Funeral Directors


Gordon Blake Funeral Directors is an independent, family-run business serving the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas since 1982. They offer a range of funeral services, from traditional funerals to direct cremations, and are known for providing a personal and caring service to bereaved families. The company is now owned by Ernest Heal & Sons Funeral Directors Ltd but maintains its commitment to local families and traditions.



Michael Kennerley, branch manager of Gordon Blake Funeral Directors commented, “I am very proud to work at Gordon Blake Funeral Directors and continue to maintain the standards and ideals that Gordon Blake began. I am fortunate to have two wonderful colleagues (Julie who looks after our Cinderford Branch and Rose at Lydney) who are often the first point of call for our bereaved families. Between us, and all the team, we strive hard to provide the very best service we can to the communities we serve”.



For more information on the services Gordon Blake Funeral Directors provide, please visit www.gordon-blake.co.uk

15/08/2025

Our Covid Memorial has had a mini makeover with new granite and slate.The area has also been planted up with new plants.

Covid seems so long ago, but the mark it left will never be forgotten. This memorial is a reminder of the strength, bravery and fighting spirit shown by those who faced it, helped cure it or sadly lost their lives to Covid. Our lives were altered for many different reasons, but community spirit helped us all keep pushing through the hard times. 💙💛❤

11/08/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION..

The Crematorium is currently experiencing a power cut.
Rest assured, all services will continue as planned today, with contingencies in place to ensure families/friends can say their goodbyes.
We hope National Grid can resolve this very soon and we sincerely thank you for your understanding of this circumstance. 💛