Cash needed for Bradford crematoria

Proposals include a new purpose built facility within the next three years in the south of Bradford to replace Scholemoor Crematorium followed by another in the Keighley/Shipley area within the next five years to replace Nab Wood.

The replacement of the existing cremator at Oakworth Crematorium with a mercury filtering cremator is also on the cards. All three crematoria buildings are currently over 110 years old and all have limited facilities and capacity particularly within the chapels.

The plans, to be discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council’s executive, say investment is needed too to prepare identified land for the continuation of the Muslim Burial Ground at Scholemoor beyond 2021.

A business case will be developed to test that the estimated investment is cost neutral over a 15-20 year period.

Coun Sarah Ferriby said: “It is important that we invest in future provision.”