Hastings District Council clears up cremation confusion

A new, larger cremator was bought in 2015, requiring a new building to house it comfortably and safely. Photo / Warren Buckland

The Hastings District Council is reassuring the community that the crematorium at Hastings Cemetery is running as normal, amid rumours that cremations were not happening while the facility was being rebuilt.

A new, larger cremator was bought in 2015, requiring a new building to house it comfortably and safely, and to address health and safety issues for staff.

This work was completed in November last year, and cremations had been back to normal since then, although there had been some misunderstanding in the community, said council facilities and programmes group manager Alison Banks.

"There appears to be a belief that cremations may not be happening at Hastings Cemetery. That's not so – they have been running normally, apart from about 10 days in November when the cremator was moved into its new building. And we're very pleased that the building is functioning exceptionally well."

At the same time work on the adjacent chapel building to address earthquake strength, its limited size and difficult layout was progressing well, she said.

The new chapel was designed to accommodate 100 people rather than 80, with more room in an adjoining covered deck area, and would allow all of the congregation to see speakers during a service.

Hastings councillor and Hawke's Bay crematorium committee chairman Malcolm Dixon said the progress was pleasing.

"It is going to be a very attractive and practical building that will enable us to provide excellent service now and into the future."

The chapel was expected to open in June.

In January this year, a piece of history was discovered while demolishing the chapel - a 73-year-old pay slip inscribed with a message for the future on the back.

It listed the names of those working on the original building; a message saying World War II was continuing, and itemising rations available each week.

Dated March 1, 1944, the message said: "The 2nd World War is still on but Germany is getting bested. The invasion of Europe expected. German cities are smashed by aircraft. Sugar, tea, butter and meat are rationed: Sugar - three pound per month; tea - half a pound per month; butter - eight ounces per week; meat - one pound nine ounces a week."