The bereavement centre near Mepal has now been officially named as Lake View.

The announcement coincides with leading contractor Kier moving on site to create a crematorium and natural burial area overlooking the beautiful lake, set to open next summer.

When complete, the community facility promises to provide exceptional care in a beautiful setting, so families can remember, mourn and celebrate the lives of their loved ones in a way that is uniquely personal to them.

Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council which will run the site, said: “Unlike many other crematoriums which people only attend for a funeral, we want Lake View Bereavement Centre to be a place people visit time and time again.

“Whether that is by wandering around the beautiful grounds overlooking the lake, attending a coffee morning to meet others to support them in grief, visiting a planned event or simply appreciating the wildlife in our memorial gardens.

“Death is a part of life – the friends and families that people leave behind want to take time and space to remember their loved ones. That is why once complete Lake View Bereavement Centre is something we’ll be officially dedicating to the people of East Cambridgeshire, enabling them to access and benefit from our beautifully peaceful and wildlife-rich grounds all year round.”

Throughout the project the council is liaising with The Wildlife Trust to ensure endangered plants and animals, which have moved in since the site was last used and now restrict its potential for development, are protected and enhanced. We are also working to build new habitats to bring in other native wildlife.

Many of the materials being used in the build and landscaping are recycled, including recycled plastic waste used for cladding, and a bund of earth which was extracted during the building of Angel Drove Car Park in Ely. This will be used to create an area for planting native trees and wildflowers.

The cremator is one of only a handful in the country to run on electricity which will enable the council to run it on a green energy tariff. The council is also actively seeking grants to add more solar panels, to help to reduce the site’s carbon impact.

Anyone who would like to register an interest in the project can do so by completing our Lake View Bereavement Centre contact form.  

We’ll keep you up to date with the progress of the build and provide opportunities to visit the site and view work in progress.