Open day success at Wealden Crematorium
Publish Date: 11 September 2026
The first ever “Beyond the Farewell” open day at Wealden Crematorium on 19 August was a huge success with more than 150 people taking the opportunity to hear from experts, find out more about the services available and take a look behind the scenes
The event brought together six bereavement sector professionals, who delivered talks covering a wide range of topics. These included the importance of local funeral directors, the environmental and financial benefits of metals recycling, cremator technology, who arranges a funeral when there is no family and how music and images can help turn a funeral into a celebration of life.
The talks proved popular, with many visitors staying for most of the day. There was also considerable interest in tours of the crematorium, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about the processes and to see the crematorium’s new hybrid cremator. Wealden Crematorium is the first in the country to be capable of operating using gas or electricity or a combination of both.
The day also provided plenty of opportunities for conversation helping to bring visitors, speakers and exhibitors together.
A hum of conversation could be heard throughout the day as people shared experiences and thoughts about the day. A coffin made from mushroom attracted a lot of attention as an environmentally friendly burial alternative to traditional coffins.
The entire event was recorded and will soon be available to view on the Wealden Crematorium website.
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said, “The open days run by the Wealden Crematorium team are always very popular with residents, both locally and from further afield. These events provide an opportunity for people to visit, learn more and talk openly about death and bereavement, without the taboo that can sometimes surround the subject.
“Each year, people come along to find out more about death, the services we provide and the processes involved. We have recently been awarded an outstanding accreditation for the crematorium, and I hope everyone who attended the open day could see why. It is a great asset for our district, and we are proud to be able to provide this facility for our communities.”