Gornal Wood Crematorium to be refurbished
Refurbishment work totalling more than £1 million will get underway at Gornal Wood Crematorium next month.
Starting from 2 June, the £1.1 million programme of work will mostly focus on the chapel and its outside area, replacing some of the original 1960 decoration and furniture.
There will be a complete shutdown period of 6 weeks from 7 July to 15 August, when most of the work is expected to be carried out, and during this time the facility will not be able to accommodate services.
Stourbridge Crematorium will be open as normal throughout and Gornal Crematorium is expected to reopen for funerals from 18 August, with some restrictions expected initially.
When completed, the chapel will be able to accommodate more mourners, increasing capacity from 90 to 120. Work to the chapel will include internal and external decoration, the installation of air conditioning and improved heating, new carpets and lectern, new furniture and seating, an upgraded music media system, renovation to the toilets and the installation of another fire door.
The toilets will have level access, meaning they are wheelchair friendly, and a new disabled access ramp will be added to the external access area for one of the waiting rooms.
Externally there will be the resurfacing of the wreath terrace where floral tributes are placed after a funeral service, the erection of a new and larger canopy at the front of the crematorium, work to the driveway in front of the crematorium, installation of an EV charger and lighting to the main car park.
The crematorium will also have a full electrical rewire and drainage improvements made, with works expected to be fully completed by September.
Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said:
“We are undertaking refurbishment work to ensure Gornal Crematorium remains of a high standard.
“The work will mean the chapel can accommodate larger funerals, whilst offering up to date technology so that people can commemorate their loved ones in a variety of different ways.
“We are working closely with our contractors to ensure disruption to the service is minimised as much as possible.”
There were 9,961 cremation services at Gornal Wood Crematorium between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2025. Due to changes in emissions legislation, upgrades were made to the crematorium equipment in 2012.