Community · Wiltshire-wide
North Wiltshire Crematorium upgrades technology to offer personalised funeral services
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
The North Wiltshire Crematorium has unveiled a major technology overhaul, allowing families to create highly personalised funeral services through new digital displays and streaming.
North Wiltshire Crematorium has completed a comprehensive technology upgrade, introducing a range of new features designed to offer families more personal and immersive funeral experiences. The renovations, which site manager Lorraine Beckinsale described as a way to create lasting positive memories during difficult times, include advanced sound and projection systems.
Among the key additions are a large canvas wall capable of displaying images, dynamic lighting, and automated blinds to adjust the environment within the chapel. The facility has also installed high-definition televisions and surround-sound audio systems, alongside new camera technology that allows services to be livestreamed to family and friends across the world.
The move towards increased personalisation follows a survey conducted by Westerleigh Funeral Plans, which suggested that over 92 per cent of participants favoured greater control over the details of a funeral service. Matt Brook, head of division for the firm, noted that this demand for bespoke arrangements is a growing trend among families.
As part of these new services, the crematorium can offer tailored themes for memorial services. For example, the facility can project images of the County Ground onto the chapel walls and use lighting schemes inspired by the iconic red of Swindon Town Football Club. Similar options featuring local landmarks, such as the Wiltshire White Horses or the Great Western Railway, are also available to families at no additional cost.
The upgrades extend beyond the chapel, with the newly renovated waiting areas now equipped with screens to allow those outside to view live proceedings. Ms Beckinsale believes these improvements help provide a more private and comfortable setting for those attending a service.
The investment, estimated to cost in the hundreds of thousands, represents a shift in how the crematorium aims to support the community. By offering these digital tools, the team hopes to ensure that every service can be as unique as the life of the person being honoured.
Source: Wiltshire Times · View original