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The new Hemel Hempstead Crematorium has been officially opened.

The crematorium has been developed by the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, made up of representatives from Dacorum, Hertsmere, Three Rivers, St Albans and Watford councils.

The facility is a sister-site to the award-winning West Herts Crematorium in Garston, which is also overseen by the Joint Committee, and has been built to provide additional capacity for the west Hertfordshire region.

From left, Deputy Mayor of Watford and West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee Member, Cllr Aga Dychton Chairman of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee,
Chairman of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, David Major,
Chief Executive of Watford Council and Clerk of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, Donna Nolan
and Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor — From left, Deputy Mayor of Watford and West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee Member, Cllr Aga Dychton Chairman of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, Chairman of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, David Major, Chief Executive of Watford Council and Clerk of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, Donna Nolan and Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor

The chapel, which overlooks a tranquil reflection pond, can seat up to 140 people and sits within extensive grounds next to Dacorum Borough Council’s Poppy Fields cemetery.

The new site will allow for enhanced quality of service by offering longer service times, ensuring residents can say goodbye to their loved ones in a more personalised way. It will also provide a complementary service to the Garston site, increasing the choice available to residents and reducing waiting times in peak periods.

The Joint Committee representatives marked the official opening on Monday, September 18, when they were able to view the finished facility and tour the site.

Deputy Mayor of Watford and West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee Member, Cllr Aga Dychton, said: "The new Hemel Hempstead Crematorium stands as a testament to our collective vision and unwavering commitment to provide a special and respectful place where people can say goodbye to their loved-ones. We are immensely proud of this new facility which will serve the local area for generations to come, and is a reflection of our compassion and unity."

Hemel Hempstead Crematorium will operate on the same basis as its Garston counterpart, providing the same high quality service, with funerals running Monday to Saturday.

More information is available here

> West Herts Crematorium opened in Garston, Watford in 1959 and is one of the busiest crematoriums in the UK, performing over 3,000 cremations annually for residents in Watford Borough Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council and Three Rivers District Council.

Hemel Hempstead Crematorium (off Bedmond Road) opening times:

> Monday to Thursday, 9am – 5pm

> Friday, 9am – 4:30pm

> Saturday, 9am – 3pm

> Sunday & Bank Holidays, closed

> Poppy Fields cemetery is run by Dacorum Borough Council, further information is available here

New Hemel Hempstead crematorium officially opens its doors