The Chapel of Remembrance at Distington Hall Crematorium has reopened and now offers a tranquil space for you to remember loved ones.

The chapel, a separate building in the grounds of the main crematorium, has undergone extensive refurbishment and is open from 9am until 4pm every day without an appointment.

Families use it to peacefully reflect and remember, or leave flowers.

The room now also houses a unique memorial tree sculpture.

People can purchase a personalised, inscribed metal leaf to be hung on the custom-made wrought iron sculpture.

They can also buy a weather proof replica leaf to keep and display at home.

Mayor Mike Starkie said: "As well as a wonderful interior refurbishment, the chapel also has an important new addition - a baby memorial book.

"This book is on a lectern within the chapel and it is there for anyone who has been touched by the loss of a baby to write their tributes in.

"The various improvements that have been carried out here over the last year will make a big difference to families.

The Chapel is a calm, reflective environment and there are some lovely new ways to commemorate their loved ones."

The crematorium now has a new recycling and preparation area outside the Chapel of Remembrance.

Mayor Starkie added: "We found people often didn't know what to do with the plastic wrapping from their flowers, so this provides a place where it can be removed and recycled. There are recycling containers for plastic, card, flowers, glass, metal and for general waste."

The unwrapped flowers can then be placed into the chapel's new vases, which themselves are made from recycled plastic. The council is asking that any flowers, placed in the chapel or around the grounds, have all the wrapping removed first, to reduce litter.

The inscribed Book of Remembrance is still on display each day in the Chapel of Remembrance. It is always open at the current date and is visible under a

protective case. Anyone who wants to view another page can do so just by making an appointment. For more information about the crematorium or any of its services, please email distingtonhalladmin@copeland.gov.uk or call 01946 830561.

The current limit for mourners in the main chapel at Distington Hall Crematorium is 80 - this allows the services to continue in a Covid-safe environment. Although there is no standing inside the building, there is no restriction on the number of people allowed to stand outside and listen to the service through loud speakers.