WORK to build East Renfrewshire’s first crematorium is underway.

The multi-million pound project will see the new business take shape on 15 acres of greenspace in Barrhead, meaning mourners can attend funerals closer to home.

Horizon Cremation, who are behind the development, had hoped to have the crematorium up and running at the site to the west of Glasgow Road, next to St Conval’s Cemetery, by the end of this year.

However, delays caused by coronavirus restrictions mean these plans have been pushed back, with December 2021 now being earmarked as a realistic date for the first funerals.

Jeremy Hamilton, director of Horizon Cremation, told the Barrhead News: “We are really pleased to be on site. We are on site later than we had hoped but the journey has now started.

“This development will make a huge difference to Barrhead families and the wider communities across East Renfrewshire by providing a dedicated, high-quality and inspiring crematorium facility.”

The new crematorium will be able to seat up to 100 people within the main ceremony hall, with a floor-to-ceiling feature window offering uninterrupted views across the surrounding countryside.

There will also be a large public waiting area with capacity for a further 100 people and secure webcast services will be available, allowing mourners – such as those who are based overseas or housebound – to watch the funeral if they are unable to attend in person.

Outside the crematorium, there will be extensive landscaped gardens, including a memorial space that people can return to at any time in order to remember their loved ones.

The team behind the Barrhead development already operate a successful crematorium within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Opened in 2018, the Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium is being used as a template for the new business in East Renfrewshire.

Mr Hamilton said: “In due course we will be out and about to meet the community. We are excited because we are so passionate about what we do.

“We do believe we have managed to make something at the Clyde Coast that is special and different and we want to replicate that in Barrhead.

“We want to help make the bereavement and funeral service as special and memorable as possible.”

Mr Hamilton added: “The new crematorium at The Hurlet will significantly
help Barrhead families when care and support is most needed.”