North WiltshireCrematorium to broadcast covid-safe Christmas service

North Wiltshire Crematorium is taking steps to bring Christmas comfort to all in spite of the uncertain times.

The crematorium, at Royal Wootton Bassett, will webcast a one-hour Christmas Carol and Remembrance Service on Friday, 11 December at 5.30pm.

The Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent operator of cemeteries and crematoria, usually hosts such services at all of its 34 sites nationwide, including North Wiltshire, which people can attend in person.

Covid-19 restrictions mean that, as with many other live events, this is not going to be possible this year, so the Westerleigh Group has come up with an alternative so ensure that people don’t miss out altogether.

Earlier this year, the group announced it had invested in new webcasting services because of restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend funeral services - and now that technology is going to be used to ensure everyone can view a virtual service with a mixture of traditional carols and readings.

Dana Dumville, Site Manager at North Wiltshire Crematorium, said: “We wanted to make sure we could provide something this year that would definitely be able to take place, regardless of whatever lockdown restrictions may, or may not, be in place.

“We know that it won’t be quite the same as our popular live services, which we very much hope to be able to return to hosting again next year.

“But Christmas is likely to be different for most people this year. And with so many other seasonal events being cancelled, such as live concerts and Christmas markets, we wanted to ensure we could still offer a way for people to join in a festive activity and to remember their loved ones at this time of year.

“In some ways, the fact that it is going to be so different this year may make these webcast services even more memorable.”

A link to the service will be put onto the North Wiltshire Crematorium website so that people will be able to view it on December 11. It will then be available on demand.

There is no need to register in advance in order to view the services, and no tickets are required; people just need to visit www.northwiltshirecrematorium.co.uk and click on the link.