Bretby Crematorium set to open its doors to the public as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week
Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 01/05/2017
An event which will tackle the taboo of Bretdying and encourage visitors to think about their funeral is to be held as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.
Central England Co-operative has organised the special open day at Bretby Crematorium on Saturday, 13 May.
Throughout the day, information will be available on funeral planning including examples of bespoke coffins, floral arrangements and tailor-made order of service booklets.
Visitors will also be able to take part in a guided tour of the facilities, including ‘seeing behind the curtain’, Bretby’s state of the art music and visual tribute facilities and the extensive wooded area.
There will also be white horses and a carriage in attendance.
Crematorium manager Nick French said: “We hope people from across the area will come along to our Dying Matters event to learn more about Bretby Crematorium and the team that work here.
“We will be talking about all manner of topics from arranging a funeral to showing people around the site in a bid to dispel any myths or misgivings they may have and to get them to talk and learn about a topic that for many is still seen as taboo.
“Hopefully our open day will enable families to discuss their wishes more readily.”
The event will run from 10am until 3pm at the crematorium in Geary Lane and is free to attend with a light buffet and refreshments.
The open day at Bretby Crematorium is one of eight taking place across East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire as part of a national effort to get people to talk more freely about dying.
Head of Funeral Kevin Crute said: “Funerals are increasingly becoming a celebration of life and every life is different. People want their funeral or that of a loved one to reflect how that life was lived.
“At Central England Co-operative, we are passionate about arranging a funeral that helps families enhance the memories and love for the person they have lost. By hosting a Dying Matters event at Bretby Crematorium, we are going to be able to talk to local communities about bereavement, the importance of funeral planning and how families can create a truly unique tailor-made service.”
The Society will also use the events to speak about encouraging people to record their free Funeral Wishes for loved ones, using an easy to complete online form to ensure that the wishes of those who have passed away are honoured.
Colleagues will be able to talk to visitors about all aspects of funerals, pre-paid funeral plans and any other information people wish to ask.
Central England Co-operative Funeralcare offers a 24 hour service, seven days a week. In addition to arranging funerals, the team are also able to offer advice on floral tributes, monumental masonry, funeral stationery, pre-paid funeral plans and probate advice.
Notes to editors
Please see below a list of events taking place in East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire during Dying Matters Awareness Week:
• Dying Matters talk hosted by Ward and Brewin Funeral Service, based in Swadlincote and Woodville, at 10am on Wednesday, 10 May at Cedar Court Care Home, in Burton
• Open afternoon from 1pm on Thursday, 11 May at HJ Grice Funeral Service, in Station Road, Hatton
• Drop-in information and advice session hosted by WB Bradford Funeral Service from noon on Tuesday, 9 May at the Co-operative Food Store, in High Street, Measham
• Coffee morning hosted by Wellings Funeral Service from 10am on Wednesday, 10 May at Elizabeth Court, in Winshill
• Coffee morning hosted by Dove Funeral Service from 10am on Friday, 12 May at Holly Road Supportive Care Centre, in Uttoxeter
• Dying Matters Week event hosted by AE Grice Funeral Service from noon on Thursday, 11 May at the Co-operative Food Store, in Market Street, Ashby
• Coffee morning from 10am on Friday, 12 May at Co-operative Funeralcare, in London Road, Coalville
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17. The Society recently celebrated being named Leading Co-operative of the Year 2016 by Co-operatives UK. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, 10 florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.
Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2017.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit http://www.centralengland.coop follo,w Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop