New Crematorium Chapel Takes Shape

18 March 2011, 14:46 | Updated: 18 March 2011, 14:54

The new Oak Chapel at Crownhill Crematorium is taking shape as its opening approaches.

The High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe, and Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Debbie Brock, visited the new chapel on 17 March to see how the works are progressing.

The building is now fully watertight and the internal finishes are taking place with specialist glass units for the stained glass windows to be installed next month.

The woodland setting incorporating formal gardens, woodland trails, and water features to provide a variety of reflection choices are progressing well with final planting and seeding now taking place.

The official opening of the new chapel is expected to take place in June 2011.

The new 145 seat chapel will be a distinctive, high quality public building with state of the art audio visual facilities.

Its sustainable features incorporate, recycled materials, energy reuse, low energy usage, a sustainable urban drainage system, wildlife features and enhanced gardens of remembrance. 

Cllr Mike Galloway, Cabinet member with responsibility for the Crematorium said: “I look forward to the opening of this important new multi-faith facility which incorporates a number of innovative environmental benefits and is surrounded by a rich and diverse natural habitat.”

The £6.2m project is jointly funded by Milton Keynes Council and Milton Keynes Partnership from Growth and tariff funding.  Kier Marriott has been appointed as main contractor with the project managed by Tim Jones of Turner & Townsend.  Principal Architect Adrian Morrow headed up the Milton Keynes Council design team.