Why this Teesside crematorium has been named Cemetery of the Year

Staff at a Redcar crematorium are celebrating after being named Cemetery of the Year.

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management awarded Kirkleatham Memorial Park and Crematorium in the Small / Medium Burial Ground category.

Bosses of Memoria, which owns and operates the site, have praised the staff for their hard work, commitment, and dedication.

“This award is such a wonderful pat on the back for our team,” said Gillian Johnston, Kirkleatham manager.

“It acknowledges that we really go above and beyond to try and provide a reliable, friendly and quality service.

“My team and I are thrilled.”

This is the third national award for the funeral group in two years, which offers a range of choice over a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach across its 11 sites.

The site offers both traditional and natural burial, and is set in beautifully landscaped gardens that have been described as “restful, rural, and appropriate”.

Memoria CEO and founder, Howard Hodgson said: “Our teams at Memoria strive to provide the very best service, whether it be burial or cremation, to families at what is often their most difficult hour.

“I think we have been successful in these awards because we strive to offer people a wide range of choice and at a price they can afford.

“We are delighted to have now been recognised at three of our 11 locations recently. “Winning Cemetery of the Year is well deserved by the Kirkleatham team.”

The funeral group provides a range of cremation services, including direct cremation, where there is no ceremony or mourners present, and celebration of life services, where times are extended to include personal eulogies, photographs, and music choices.

Direct cremations cost roughly £1,000 and have become increasingly popular as a more cost-effective option in comparison to traditional Victorian funerals, which can cost around £5,000.

Celebration of life services cost roughly £2,000, whether one or two-hour, and are fully tailored towards remembering a loved one in a way which is personal to them.

Further information about Kirkleatham Memorial Park & Crematorium is available here.

Family-run Memoria Ltd is the third largest crematorium business in the UK that also owns Affordable Funerals, which specialises in unique funerals.

Source: https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/kirkleatham-crematorium-cemetery-award-funeral-21478887