Baldarroch Chapel and Crematorium

Aberdeenshire's only purpose-built crematorium, Baldarroch Chapel and Crematorium opened on farmland at Crathes in 2016. It is the first crematorium in Scotland where the staff wear kilts. Developed by Brian Smith Funeral Services of Banchory, the multi-faith chapel was designed by WCP architects of Aberdeen and is designed to look like a falling leaf, signifying the circle of life, with timber cladding and a metal roof. The interior is simple and bright, the roof supported by pine pillars and beams, with furniture in similarly-coloured wood and seating for up to 180 mourners. There is potential for another 150 mourners to stand, with facilities to relay the service to loudspeakers outside for very large funerals. There is an Viscount Envoy 35-F organ and an integrated audio-visual system provides access to a wide range of music, together with two 75" video screens in the chapel and a further two screens in the foyer for slideshows or video clips.

The crematorium is owned jointly by Brian Smith, Graeme Robertson of A.R. Robertson Memorials of Westhill and Tim Purves of Edinburgh-based William Purves Funeral Directors. There were 548 cremations in 2017, its first full year of operation. There is parking for 205 cars and four bicycle stands.


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