Barrow Crematorium Reopening Delayed Until Late September
The reopening of Barrow’s Thorncliffe Crematorium has been delayed again, prompting criticism from Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham over the continued disruption facing bereaved families.
The crematorium has remained closed since a fire caused significant damage to the roof and structure of the building in March. Westmorland and Furness Council had previously hoped cremations could resume in late July or early August, but the latest update places the expected reopening in late September.
Extensive structural repair work began at the end of June, including the replacement of the building’s roof and chimneys. The scale of the damage and the specialist nature of the work have contributed to the extended timetable for restoring the facility.
The cremators have been unavailable since the fire, meaning cremations cannot currently take place at Thorncliffe. Services at the site were also suspended from early July because of the nature of the main repair programme.
Some chapel based services were able to resume temporarily in April following initial cleaning work. This allowed families with ceremonies already booked to use the chapel while the wider repair project continued.
The council has said that progress is being made across the site, with internal redecoration and painting now completed in several areas of the building. Work on the roof remains ongoing as contractors continue with the structural repairs.
Alongside repairing the damage caused by the fire, the council is also upgrading the cremators and associated equipment. The authority said the additional work is intended to create a more resilient and efficient facility once services resume.
Michelle Scrogham welcomed the progress and additional investment at Thorncliffe but said she was disappointed that the reopening had been delayed again. She argued that the continued closure was prolonging disruption for families dealing with bereavement.
The MP called on the council to provide a clear and realistic timetable for the reopening. She also urged the authority to maintain regular communication with residents, particularly if any further delays emerge during the remaining stages of the project.
Ms Scrogham said families should have greater certainty about when cremation services will return to Barrow. She also expressed hope that the revised late September target could now be achieved following the previous changes to the expected completion date.
The MP has also received concerns from residents about the condition and maintenance of the cemetery surrounding the crematorium. She said she had raised those concerns with the council and wanted to see a clear plan for addressing the issues.
The cemetery is an important place of remembrance for families across the Barrow and Furness area. Ms Scrogham said it should be maintained to the standard expected by local residents, particularly while families continue to face disruption caused by the crematorium closure.
Westmorland and Furness Council has defended the revised timetable, describing the repair programme as complex because of the scale of the fire damage and the specialist equipment involved. The authority said the progress achieved so far was encouraging.
A council spokesperson said contractors and key partners were continuing to work together to complete the repairs and improvements safely and efficiently. The authority said services and cremations would resume as soon as possible, with late September currently anticipated.
The council has not yet provided a confirmed reopening date. Officials said further information would be issued once the timetable had been confirmed, leaving families and funeral service providers waiting for greater certainty over when cremations can return to Thorncliffe.
The latest delay means the crematorium will remain out of operation for several months after the March fire. With roof repairs still continuing and specialist equipment work forming part of the wider project, the council is now working towards restoring full services in late September.
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