Gedling Crematorium carries out Service of Dedication
The Suffragan Bishop of Sherwood, The Right Reverend Tony Porter, was among the many guests to attend Gedling Crematorium’s Service of Dedication on May 18.
The Mayor of Gedling Borough Council, Sandra Barnes, local funeral directors and many others took part in the service for the new Westerleigh Group Crematorium at Gedling, Nottinghamshire.
Prayers and readings were led by representatives of local churches: Canon Phillip Ziomek, Roman Catholic, Reverend Ron Kenyon, United Reform Church, Reverend Moses Aygam, Methodist, and by Victoria Corder a civil celebrant. Soloist Sarah Simmons sang Ave Maria and Fields of Gold.
The Right Reverend Tony Porter gave an address reflecting on his own work with the bereaved over many years and the vital importance of treating all those who mourn with dignity and respect.
The Bishop looked at the importance of the services provided by the burial and cremation sector and expressed his thanks for the professionalism of the staff that work in this area, saying they often do not realise just how much difference they make to people’s lives by doing their jobs well.
The Bishop asked those in attendance to ensure that they remembered the two ‘Gs’: Grieving and gratitude. He said that families and individuals must have time to grieve and all must be grateful for a live lived and reflect on it at a funeral service no matter how many or few people were in attendance.
The Worshipful Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Sandra Barnes, a supporter of the New Crematorium Project, thanked Westerleigh for their investment in the area. She said: “We are just so lucky to have this special place, because it is absolutely stunning and very tastefully done. We couldn’t ask for anything better”
Richard Evans, the managing director of The Westerleigh Group, thanked the Bishop for his address, the Mayor of Gedling for her support and that of her Council Colleagues over several years and to everyone for attending the service.
