Everyone invited to open day to mark golden anniversary of Great Yarmouth Crematorium

For this golden anniversary, we're throwing open the doors to the Crematorium and inviting people to come and take a look around, ask questions and meet bereavement staff, from 10.30am to 3pm.

With light refreshments provided, this special open day will include a memorial service at noon, led by The Rev Peter Paine, culminating in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Cllr Mary Coleman, the mayor.

At both 11am and 1.30pm, the Bereavement Services team will lead guided tours around the whole crematorium, including the chapel, floral wreath cloister and behind-the-scenes. No cremations will be happening on that day.

The team will demonstrate the chapel's new media system, which enables audio-visual tributes and live web-casting during services. They will also showcase Ashes into Glass, a service which enables people to have ashes set and preserved in unique hand-crafted silver and gold jewellery, such as rings, pendants and earrings.

The open day will also feature competitions, displays and other demonstrations.

Funeral Motorcycles will display a Harley Davidson motorcycle hearse for people to admire. East Coast Funerals will bring a hearse and a wicker coffin, as well as asking people to guess the top 10 funeral songs to win a meal for two with entertainment at Gunton Holiday Village. Abbey Memorials Stonecraft Ltd will have a demonstration of hand-engraving.

Central England Co-op will showcase a limousine and run two raffles: one to win a hamper and one to win an afternoon tea at Barnby Garden Centre Café. Meanwhile, Kirkley Florist, Lowestoft will be exhibiting examples of floral tributes and running a raffle to win a basket of flowers, with all proceeds going to East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Cllr Coleman said: "Great Yarmouth Crematorium is the place where we come together, as families, as friends and as communities, to share memories and celebrate life. The team there provide the very highest standards of compassionate customer care and the latest services and choice.

"This 50th anniversary is a golden opportunity to recognise the enduring role of the crematorium within our community, to remember the people who have passed through its doors, to thank the team and to discover more about how this modern facility operates.

"Everyone is welcome, and the team look forward to meeting you. If you'd like to come and look around, you do not need to book, please just come along. Please note that anyone wishing to take one of our tours is asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start times of 11am and 1.30pm."