Construction work begins on Tea Rooms at Gorleston Crematorium

Gorleston Crematorium is located within the Magdalen Lawn Cemetery and provides services to the residents of the borough and surrounding areas 365 days a year. At present, the facilities include a large waiting room, a chapel with a capacity of 120 people and a withdrawing area.

The capital investment for the project was originally approved at Full Council in September 2019, with the procurement exercise beginning at the start of 2021. The funding agreed will allow a new structure to be built adjacent to the existing car park and close to the Crematorium building.

The new tea rooms and function area will be able to accommodate 45 covers internally, and potentially up to 55 covers with different seating styles in the main function room, depending on the family requirements.

A customer and visitor survey at the crematorium and cemetery grounds confirmed the popularity for this type of facility. Out of 100 people surveyed, the results showed that 92% thought a tea rooms with wake facility would be popular and 85% of those who completed the survey said they would use the facility.

Cllr Carl Smith, leader of the borough council, said: "Being able to offer somewhere families and friends can meet and pay their respects means we can better meet the needs of those who visit or use the crematorium and its grounds."