New state-of-the-art technology installed at Gedling Crematorium will offer families the chance to say goodbye in their own way to a loved one.
The crematorium on Catfoot Lane can now offer a ‘funeral of the future’ allowing loved ones to uniquely personalise services using the projections of dynamic backgrounds in the chapel which are accompanied by co-ordinated soundscapes and lighting.
The innovative experience is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh Group, who own the crematorium, and the UK’s leading audio-visual provider to the bereavement industry, Obitus.
Families can start their remembrance as they gather in the waiting room prior to the service by viewing the Gallery – a collection of 25 digital frames uploaded with images of their loved one.
Inside the chapel, the Canvas service allows personalised visual tributes to be projected onto the front wall, making it part of the theming that surrounds the wider wall space, creating a thoroughly immersive visual and audible experience. The Canvas transforms the whole area around the coffin into a themed backdrop.
High-spec audio equipment and customisable lighting enables the team and families to uniquely tailor the chapel, waiting room and entrance areas to reflect the life of the loved one being remembered.
To begin with, there will be a choice of ten dynamic backgrounds, from Country Hills and Waterfall to a Gentle Glimmer and a Football Stadium, but over time, the background options available will increase.
Debbie Smith, chief executive officer at Westerleigh Group, said: “We’ve always been committed to making the services we host as uniquely personal as possible, which is also an ambition of our partners at Obitus.
“We’re extremely excited to be able to offer the funerals of the future, today, transforming the way the bereaved say their final farewells.
“This offers the opportunity for family members and friends to come together, not only to mourn and grieve but to become fully immersed in celebrating the lives of their loved ones in a way that nobody else in the world can do.
“Some families have already experienced the new technology and the initial feedback has been extremely encouraging, with people telling us they have been able to give their loved one a memorable send-off they would have loved.
“We would like to thank all the Funeral Directors and celebrants who have supported us and bereaved families through the introduction of this exciting development.”
James Crossland, the founder of Obitus, said: “We launched this project in response to the growing public demand for more personalisation at funerals.
“It’s taken several years to get to the stage where we’re ready to start using this, but even so, we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible, and this is something that will continue to evolve and expand.
“While there are ten backgrounds at present, what we’ve got here is a essentially a blank canvas with almost endless opportunities moving forward. The system is extremely flexible and adaptable.
Gedling Crematorium’s new service options of canvas and gallery can be seen by visiting: www.gedlingcrematorium.co.uk/personalising-a-funeral or www.obitus.com/canvas, and can be booked through funeral directors.
