New crematorium to open in the West Midlands

A brand new, state-of-the-art, crematorium is being built to serve the communities of South Birmingham, Bromsgrove and North Worcestershire.

Waseley Hills Crematorium is due to open in January 2022.

It is being developed by Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 35  sites across England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully-landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

The new crematorium will enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape of rolling open hills, hedgerows, pastures and pockets of woodland, providing a peaceful and special setting for services.

Families will be able to find comfort in the tranquillity offered by a lovingly landscaped Garden of Remembrance, which offers the dignified and fitting place for a loved one’s memorial.

The first site manager of Waseley Hills Crematorium, Joy Edgington, said: “It’s a unique opportunity, being the first manager of a brand-new crematorium.

“We have the chance to make the right impression from the start which is invaluable towards ensuring the success, and a positive reputation.

“I know my team and I have very high standards and we are looking forward to working with the community so that our very differently-designed facility will soon become the crematorium of choice within the local community and for people from further afield.” 

Although this is Joy’s first role with Westerleigh Group, she is no stranger to the industry, having managed another crematorium for 10 years and, before that, working as a trainer in the same company’s head office client service centre for another ten years, teaching teams how to look after and care for those they had contact with. 

She added: “When I was growing up I didn’t have a dream job, I just wanted to be able to help people. 

“Like most individuals in the industry, Crematorium Site Manager wasn’t on my radar when I was young. Funerals were a taboo subject and it was by luck that I happened to register at a recruitment agency looking for client service representatives for a funeral company. 

“I thought the funeral industry was initially going to be a stepping-stone for me, working for a crematorium initially for logistics, but it turned into my dream vocation and I can’t imagine doing or wanting to do anything else. 

“I was drawn to Westerleigh Group because there is a wonderful family feel to the company, which truly supports and looks after its employees, so we can all excel in looking after and caring for those who have need to use our facilities. 

“I’m delighted and proud to be here at the start of Waseley Hills Crematorium and excited to have the opportunity to assist local families and give something back to the community. 

“Westerleigh have welcomed me with open arms and I’m ecstatic to be working for such a caring company and thrilled to be able to serve the community in which I live. 

“We’re fortunate that we have the opportunity to provide best practice right from the start and I won’t settle for anything less as we strive to be the first-choice crematorium for the local and extended area.” 

“Westerleigh Group’s family feel and mission statement will be at the heart of everything we do and how we care for all who have need to visit us.” 

She said that, once it opens, Waseley Hills will have an open-door policy. “We want families to know we are here for them not only on the day of a funeral but before and after too.” 

“We’re keen to support our local community and we also want to help the environment as well. The infinity roof on our chapel is to be a growing roof, which means it will be covered in wild planting, making it invisible from the sky, but also full of flowers for local bees.” 

“While we provide the utmost excellence in grounds development, the surrounding undeveloped land will be allowed to naturally grow to provide habitat for local wildlife.” 

“We’ve even got plans to have a nature trail and information posts to let visitors know what to look out for.” 

“It means visiting our site will enable focused reflection and downtime for families and individuals who just want to escape from the world for 15 minutes or so.”