Mercia Forest Crematorium holds formal dedication service
In recognition of diverse cultural communities surrounding Mercia Forest Crematorium, the service included representatives from a range of faith groups
Westerleigh Group has recently held a formal dedication ceremony for “one of the most environmentally-friendly” crematoriums in the country, Mercia Forest Crematorium.
The facility officially opened in July 2023 to serve the communities of Walsall, Wolverhampton, Cannock and the surrounding areas.
Westerleigh’s tradition is to dedicate a new crematorium to its community in the presence of funeral directors, celebrants, members of the clergy and senior representatives from many organisations within the bereavement sector, usually roughly 12 months after its opening.
In recognition of diverse cultural communities surrounding Mercia Forest Crematorium, the service included representatives from a range of faith groups.
The service was preceded by the arrival of a Belgian black horse, Asti, supplied by Victoria Carriages, which escorted Pandit Kripa Das Ji, a Hindu priest, from the crematorium’s gates to the entrance to its chapel.
This was because horses symbolise loyalty, respect and power in Hinduism.
The service itself was led by Rev Helen Thorp-Wood, vicar of nearby All Saints Church Bloxwich, who paid tribute to crematorium manager Joanne Taylor and her team for “providing uniquely personal and dignified services for the bereaved”.
Meanwhile, Westerleigh CEO Debbie Smith spoke on Mercia Forest’s planning journey, which took almost 10 years between the site being identified and the facility being opened.
Guests also learned from Pandit Kripa Das Ji about the four stages of misery, according to Hindu tradition, and the importance of a crematorium that was able to offer a spiritual place.
Joanne Taylor, manager of Mercia Forest Crematorium, said: “We’re very pleased to have hosted this special event and dedicated our beautiful crematorium to the communities we serve.
“We are set in 10 acres of woodland grounds with a chapel building which was sympathetically designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape with the use of stone and natural materials.”
She added: “It’s been an honour to serve our community over the last 12 months and make each service uniquely personal for bereaved families. We will continue to support our diverse communities with exceptional care in the months and years to come.”
