Behind the scenes at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium, providing care and compassion for those facing family sadness - Anne Hailes

I knew nothing about the Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium until 10 days ago when a funeral service opened my eyes to this state of the art building. That sounds very cold and functional but that’s far from the truth. Talking to manager Jim Parker gave me an insight into how personal their service is, how unique each of the 1,000 cremations have been since it opened just over a year ago. This will be news for a lot of people and a comfort to those facing family sadness.

Many older generations still prefer to be buried whereas others favour cremation for a variety of reasons - ease of scattering, sending to family, also if there’s a change of address an urn containing ashes can travel with the family.

Jim explained that when someone dies, it’s usually the funeral director who plans and organises everything from paperwork to service details, including music from traditional church to modern pop - for Jim, the most popular is Frank Sinatra’s My Way - the photographs to be used and personal details.

The director will then liaise with the crematorium and family wishes are put into action, including the use of multi-media technology allowing services to be recorded or transmitted to those unable to attend.

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Before the service it’s decided whether the coffin will be carried in and placed on the catafalque or will already be placed there before the mourners take their seats. No matter the denomination or none, as the service comes to a close blue curtains slowly close over it.

Here each service is unique and each lasts 45 minutes six services a day with 15 minutes between for staff to take the coffin to be cremated.

Only one body is cremated at a time. A name plate arrives with the coffin and is carefully placed in each area during the process to ensure the correct remains are passed to the family.

There’s a viewing area specifically for members of the ethnic community who need to see their relative entering the cremator to be burned as per their tradition. This is carefully controlled by John White and Stephen Nelson, trained technicians who also serve as front of house staff; a series of green lights mean they both know when the sequence is ready and the chamber is heated to 850 degrees Celsius.

Eventually the ashes are removed and a powerful magnet sifts out any metal objects. These are recycled, resulting in £14,000 being donated to the Children’s Hospice in the last 15 months. The ashes are available from 2 o’clock the following day.

The front door at the Co Antrim crematorium is reserved for the coffin being borne in and the family welcomed - a crucial time, and John and Stephen are well aware of its importance. John, with 32 years’ experience, previously worked in Roselawn cemetery and crematorium, while Stephen, who is new to the business, did his initial training in the same place. And like all those involved they are aware that first impressions are vital; they don’t get a second chance to receive the family with empathy and professionalism.

“It’s a ministry to us,” John told me. “We get a chance to talk to the minister or priest and the funeral director prior to family arriving and so we get a feel for the situation.” Sometimes it’s a celebration of a life well lived; sometimes it is the tragedy of a young life taken too soon, and this is heartbreaking for all concerned.

It’s interesting that Roselawn Crematorium is a listed building. Opened in 1961, it was the first in Ireland and designed to cater for 700 cremations each year. During the Covid pandemic numbers reached 4,000. At present there are seven such facilities in the Republic and two in Northern Ireland.

Here in Newtownabbey, the Ceremony Room is high, wide and handsome, with chairs covered in blue, walls and ceilings of pale wood, and full length windows looking out into the gardens. The landscaping is impressive - there’s an artificial lake and a memorial garden available to anyone who wants to have some private time, especially those who have chosen to have ashes interred in the above ground family vaults. At the moment an area at the side of the building is being prepared as a scattering lawn.

Prices vary between Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council residents and those from elsewhere; for example, £550 for a resident aged over 18 and £950 for a non-resident.

Jim Parker, who has been in this business since 1993 when he worked at Roselawn, has six staff, all with special training relating to cremation. They will be holding open days on September 21 and 22 from 10am-2pm. Undoubtedly a visit will impress families who want the very best for their loved ones. Details at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.