The construction of Lake View Bereavement Centre, which will offer cremation and natural burials near to Mepal, has officially reached the halfway mark.

The new multi-faith chapel and covered walkway, with its butterfly-shaped roof, can now be clearly seen by anyone passing by the site. An impressive feature is a huge floor to ceiling window which overlooks the beautiful lakeside setting.

Work is also well underway by Kier, our construction partner, on the porte-cochère, function room and smaller chapel of rest.

Elsewhere, groundworks are being undertaken to landscape the site around its existing natural features.

These include preserving an oak tree, which majestically stands to the side of the main chapel, and creating new habitats to bring in native wildlife. Foundations for the flower court have also been set.

When complete, the community facility promises to provide exceptional care in a beautiful setting, enabling families to remember, reflect 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: “Seeing the new steels of the building emerging from the ground is exciting. You can really start to see the potential and – just like its butterfly-shaped structure – see how it will grow into something beautiful and inspiring.

“We’re really lucky to have a passionate team in place who are determined to transform this site into a real asset for our local communities and we’re already getting lots of interest from people keen to follow its development.

“When complete, 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 an organised coffee morning to meet others on their bereavement journey, 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.”

Tom Martin, regional director, Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands, said: “Reaching the halfway mark is a great milestone for Lake View Bereavement Centre and it has been fantastic to see the project progress.

“With sustainability and community at the heart of the design, this project aligns with Kier’s commitment to deliver sustainable infrastructure and to leave a lasting legacy for local communities. Our team has generated more than £680,000 worth of social value on this project to date, including volunteering, apprenticeship weeks and donations to local charities.”

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