The first funeral services were held today (December 4) at Essex's newest crematorium.

Maldon Fields is the first crematorium ever built in the Maldon District, which means that bereaved families from Maldon and the surrounding area will have access to a local funeral and cremation service instead of having to travel longer distances to Chelmsford, Colchester and Basildon crematoria.

Leader of Maldon District Council, Cllr Richard Siddall, visited the new facility on the occasion of its opening to the public: "I am pleased to see that Maldon Fields Crematorium has begun to serve the local community in their new state-of-the-art facility," said Cllr Siddall.

"This new Crematorium is set in tranquil countryside and will provide a dignified space for farewells to loved ones closer to home."

Unlike many other Essex crematoria, Maldon Fields will provide up to an hour for each funeral service, giving families time to gather and remember their loved ones in a dignified way. 

It will provide an additional choice for a less hurried service for families from further afield, such as Chelmsford, Colchester and Basildon.

"We want to give people the space and time to grieve," said Richard Evans, the Director of Maldon Fields.

Inside the new Crematorium Chapel. (Credit: Maldon Fields)

"We have all been to crematoria where we feel like we are on a conveyor belt but Maldon Fields will be different and it has been so pleasing to see the reaction of families – the best compliment is to hear that we don't look like a crematorium at all, just a beautiful place to hold the most important of events. We're just relieved to be finally open and ready to serve the bereaved."

The need for the new crematorium has been highlighted by how families from across the area have chosen Maldon Fields for their service from as far afield as Chelmsford, Witham, Southminster and Tiptree, as well as from Maldon itself.