Work to build crematorium chapel starts

Work has begun on the new chapel at a £3.2 million crematorium in the Black Country ready for services to held at the site next summer.

The octagonal steel frame of the chapel in West Bromwich is now up, which will have views across Sandwell Valley from a huge window that will dominate the rear wall of the building in Forge Lane. Work on the car park was completed in October. Now builders from G F Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd have turned to building the landmark chapel.

There will also be other buildings on the new site, next to the current crematorium facilities.

Crematorium services will move to the new building next summer when work will start to demolish the old building.

The existing chapel will then become a walled garden with a cafeteria looking onto it. There will be new toilets, offices, interview rooms for families to discuss their requirements and a florist's shop.

Sandwell Council's neighbourhoods chief, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, said: "The view from the new chapel will be stunning.

"The site is changing week by week and the rate of work is quite impressive.

"The feedback we are getting from visitors to the crematorium has been very good and we are keeping people informed about what is happening through leaflets, posters and signs around the site.

"We are also keeping in touch with local funeral directors so they know exactly what is going on."

G F Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd's director and general manager, Peter Hood, said: "We are very pleased to have secured this prestigious project.

"Our team is co-ordinating our works closely with the council staff, respecting the sensitive nature of the site at every stage."

The old crematorium will be in use right up until the new one is ready.

Architects Martin Critchell designed the new building, which will include a covered walkway.