Temporary arrangements made as crematorium closes

Temporary arrangements for funeral services have been announced while Worcester's crematorium is closed for refurbishments.

Services will be held at KGV Community Hub in Ash Avenue instead of Astwood Crematorium from 4 August.

Cremations will then be carried out at Redditch Crematorium before ashes are returned to the hub for collection.

The Astwood Cemetery grounds will remain open for burials during the nine-month refurbishment.

Councillor Zoe Cookson said she hoped the short distance between the hub and crematorium would reduce the inconvenience caused.

"Generations of Worcester people have said farewell to their loved ones at Astwood Crematorium and we wanted to keep the level of disruption to a minimum during the essential refurbishment works."

Cookson added the council's bereavement team was working hard to ensure the hub would provide an "appropriate atmosphere for grieving families to pay their respects".

The refurbishment will include new furniture, fittings and equipment at the chapel and the gas-fired cremators at the crematorium will be replaced with an electric model.