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A visit to the crematoria today shows that the original concept of siting them in peaceful and tranquil surroundings has obviously been achieved.  

Wakefield District Council as the Cremation Authority, is a member of the Federation of British Cremation Authorities and adheres strictly to the Federation's code of cremation practice.  

Pontefract Crematorium was opened in 1959 and covers an area of 7.5 acres (approximately) and Wakefield Crematorium, which opened two years later, in 1961 covers approximately 7 acres.  

An Electronic Book of Remembrance has recently undergone a trial at Pontefract Crematoria. This is housed in a touchscreen cabinet and displays scanned copies of all pages in the Pontefract Crematorium Books of Remembrance. Information is also provided on the range of memorials available and a video shows memorial entries being carefully inscribed by highly skilled calligraphers and artists.

During the trial period of three months, the pages were accessed on over 800 separate occasions and over 4,000 individual pages were viewed.

Following lots of positive comments from users, the trial model is due to be updated to a permanent model  with a larger screen in March or April 2006.

Opening times at Pontefract & Wakefield Crematoria for the Crematoria Chapels and the Books of Remembrance are:

Situated adjacent to Crigglestone Cemetery on Standbridge Lane, the Crematorium has an open aspect with views over fields to the leisure complex at Pugneys Water Park. Situated on fairly high ground, the Crematorium stands out clearly to the visitor being sited directly on the main road. Junction 39 should be used for visitors leaving the M1 Motorway whilst traffic from Wakefield City Centre is advised to use Barnsley Road (A61). Signs indicating the Crematorium are sited in the area.

First Cremation 
Name:- Sarah Jones 
Address:-  9 Arncliffe Road, Wakefield 
Date of Cremation:- 23 October 1961 
Aged:-  69 years

Size of Crematorium  Approximately 7 Acres   

Opened in 1961, Wakefield Crematorium, like its near neighbour at Pontefract, is a relatively small purpose-built establishment. Whilst lacking some of the characteristics of the larger crematoria which are normally set in large wooded areas away from the gaze of the passing public, Wakefield provides all that is required for an establishment of this nature.  

The chapel is quite airy and provides seating for approximately 72 on "bench type" pews. The grounds are beautifully kept with large lawned areas interspersed by formal rose beds, which provide a festival of colour during the summer months. Situated throughout the grounds are a variety of commemorative memorials, which are available to the bereaved as a tangible form of Remembrance. Extensions to the grounds were provided in 1990 to accommodate a much needed additional car park together with a landscaped area now known as "North Meadow".  

As with the Crematorium at Pontefract, the original equipment was replaced in the mid 1980’s and had installed the very latest gas fired cremators capable of operating automatically by the use of computers. However as a result of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 we were again faced with the replacement of the Cremator units prior to 1st April 1998   Occupying such an open position on the main road, the Crematorium is easily accessible to the visitor.