Crematorium becomes first in Britain to sell alcohol

Mourners will be able to toast the departed at the Westerleigh Crematorium which is opening a bereavement suite complete with bar

Source: The Telegraph

25 Dec 2015

Mourners at the crematorium will be able to drown their sorrows on-site, without needing to travel elsewhere for a wake.

The fully-licensed bar is part of plans at Westerleigh Crematorium, South Glos., to open a bereavement suite which will host post-funeral gatherings.

It is thought to be the first bar of its kind in the UK, and will give families the option of staging the whole send-off at the same venue, without the need to travel.

“The provision of a new hospitality suite will therefore cater for funeral parties who are looking for a simple, dignified event.”

The new hospitality suite, along with a second chapel, will open in February 2016.

A spokesman for Westerleigh said that the design for the new hospitality suite includes a grass roof, with views which make the most of the crematorium’s leafy grounds.

He said: “For many families a wake or celebration after the service is a necessary event and it is not always convenient for them to set off again to meet in a hotel or pub, a point made by a local minister when supporting our planning application.

“The provision of a new hospitality suite will therefore cater for funeral parties who are looking for a simple, dignified event after the funeral, providing an onsite service which is comparable to the traditional funeral tea.”

A pint of beer is served at The Great British Beer FestivalA pint of beer is served at The Great British Beer Festival  Photo: Getty Images

The Westerleigh Group, which owns the crematorium, operates 21 crematoria around the country and aims to open its 30th site before 2020.

“Although in our experience a unique application, Westerleigh were very clear in what they were hoping to achieve.”

The firm plans to obtain alcohol licenses for the majority of its sites.

Ewen Macgregor, a licensing partner at law firm Bond Dickinson, who helped the crematorium secure the licence, said the application was “unique”.

He said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to secure this first alcohol licence for Westerleigh.

“Although in our experience a unique application, Westerleigh were very clear in what they were hoping to achieve.”

Local vicars have also supported plans for a bar at the crematorium, which opened in 1992 and is set in 23 acres of open countryside.

Reverend Michael Swain said: “Many families complain that there is nowhere suitable nearby where you can hold a small gathering for friends and family after the service.

“People do not often like using pubs, they are often too small and difficult to access in any case.”