Work has started on repairs to Thorncliffe Crematorium in Barrow following the recent fire.
The fire caused significant damage and the repairs required are extensive, including to the roof and building structure.
As well as carrying out the fire damage repairs, it has also been agreed to take this opportunity to invest in upgrading and improving Thorncliffe’s cremators and associated systems.
This will secure the building for the future and ensure it has more up-to-date and resilient facilities.
Since the fire in March, investigations have been carried out on site to understand the extent of the damage, carry out structural and electrical surveys and to progress recovery efforts and a clean-up of the site as quickly and safely as possible.
The council has continued to update funeral directors to help support affected families and help them to make arrangements during this difficult period of disruption.
Chapel‑based services were able to resume from 15 April, allowing families to continue to hold ceremonies at Thorncliffe as planned.
The work to carry out the repairs and upgrades to the cremators is expected to take several weeks, with an aim to resume cremations at Thorncliffe from late July/early August.