OAKWORTH Crematorium has been officially reopened following a £3 million refurbishment.

Work at the site was finished in March, but a ceremony has now been held to formally unveil the new-look facilities.

The event was attended by community leaders and representatives of different faith groups.

Provided as part of the revamp is a modernised, larger chapel.

And a new, energy-efficient cremator has been installed.

It will produce fewer mercury emissions and cut output of nitrous oxide, contributing to improved air quality.

With new-style cremators being much larger than previous models, the crematorium had to be completely redesigned to accommodate the equipment.

The chapel has been fitted with a new floor, ceiling, heating, ventilation and lighting. And extensive work on the roof has included repairs to leaks.

Bradford Council says feedback so far from users of the revamped site has been positive.

The refurbishment scheme forms part of the council’s bereavement services strategy, which aims to modernise and upgrade the district’s cemeteries and crematoria.

A new crematorium is currently under construction at Heaton, which will replace the facility at Nab Wood.

Plus a new crematorium in Bierley will replace a current one at Scholemoor Cemetery.

Around 3,000 cremations a year are currently carried out at the three crematoria managed by Bradford Council.

The three cremators at Scholemoor and two at Nab Wood are almost two decades old and operating seven to eight years beyond the manufacturer’s stated working life.

Once the work is completed on the district's other new crematoria, the cemeteries in which the old crematoria are located will remain open to the public.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: “I am delighted that we were able to mark the completion of the scheme to upgrade Oakworth Crematorium and improve the valuable service it provides.

“We want to be able to offer a compassionate and high-quality bereavement service for our residents, which is appropriate for all religions and beliefs.

“Our bereavement services strategy aims to ensure that people receive the best possible service, wherever they live in the district, as well as addressing the need to reduce harmful emissions and increase energy efficiency.”

The building work at the Oakworth site was carried out by Bermar Building Co Ltd, of Allerton in Bradford, and the project was designed by Rex Procter and Partners – supported by Treglown Architects, Furness Partnership and Novo Integration Engineers.