Middleton Crematorium

Overview

Background

The cremator and related equipment at Middleton Cemetery are over 30 years old, unreliable, non-compliant, and potentially dangerous. They cannot be upgraded to meet the new Mercury Emissions regulations set for January 2027. Repairs costing around £60,000 are required to keep it operational until then, but it will not be compliant after that and therefore unusable.

Middleton Crematorium is one of the least attended in the UK, with approximately 400-450 cremations per year. An independent industry report suggested that with such low attendance, Middleton Cemetery would not be financially viable in the private sector recommending all cremations should be carried out at the Council’s other crematorium in Rochdale. The equipment at Rochdale is far more efficient due to its age, is compliant with current and proposed emissions regulations, and easily holds enough capacity to manage any additional cremations from services held at the Middleton Chapel. Utilising Rochdale for all cremations increases the efficiency of the cremators therefore reducing overall fuel costs contributing towards the detailed saving.

Options

Option 1: Stop using the cremator but continue holding services at the chapel. Following the service with the family's prior agreement, the deceased would be respectfully transported to Rochdale Crematorium for cremation. Ashes to be collected as usual through the Funeral Director or directly from the Cemetery office at Rochdale Cemetery within 48 hrs of the cremation. This practice is common in many Crematory Chapels throughout the UK and is currently how services are conducted at Middleton, pending a decision on proposals.

Pros:

• Saves approximately £40,000 per year on fuel and maintenance from 2025/26 onwards. This saving would be used to contribute to the councils overall financial pressures mitigation work.
• Services will continue as now at the chapel without major disruptions.
• This method is already in use at many Crematory Chapels throughout the UK, including Middleton, pending funding required to carry out short-term repairs due to recent cremator failure and serious safety concerns.

Cons:

• The deceased would need to be transported to Rochdale Crematorium for cremation, which might be seen as inconvenient or distressing for some families however would only be done with the family’s full knowledge and agreement and with the utmost care and respect.

Option 2: Remove the old cremator and replace with a new cremator which complies with new cremator mercury emissions abatement legislation- (from 2027). The capital cost to do this is estimated to be between £740,000 and £1million. The chapel would remain its current size and there would be no tangible changes to services and the actual building etc.

Pros:

• New cremators would meet the Mercury Emissions regulations set for January 2027.
• Upgrading to new equipment would improve reliability and safety.

Cons:

• Approximately £740,000 to £1m required for the new cremator with abatement.
• There would be no annual savings on fuel and maintenance.
• There would be less reduction of carbon emissions as heating cremators for 1 or 2 cremations per day is inefficient.
• The facility would likely need to close for a significant period during the upgrade, causing temporary disruption.
• As opposed to option 3 below, there would be no opportunity to increase the size of the chapel to accommodate larger services and in-turn provide for many customers who at present opt for a service out of the borough due to size and parking restrictions at Middleton.

Option 3: Remove the cremator and related equipment and use the space to increase the size of the chapel from its current capacity of approximately 55 (seated and standing) to around 100. The capital cost is approximately £350,000.

Pros:

• Saves around £40,000 per year on fuel and maintenance.
• Removes the emissions and contributes to our carbon reduction aspirations and related benefits
• Expands the chapel's capacity from approximately 55 to around 100, accommodating more attendees.
• The upgrade could enhance the overall experience for attendees by providing improved memorial offers, parking and inclement weather facility which the current site struggles with.
• Future proofs the facility and by increasing our memorial offer and capacity, it will help residents and undertakers to utilise much-more and in turn contribute to improving the financial viability of this particular cemetery and crematoria whilst securing a continued local offer.

Cons:

• Approximately £350,000 one-off funding required for the expansion.
• The facility would need to close during the upgrade, causing temporary disruption.
• Similar to Option 1, cremations would need to be carried out at another site.