LOCATION AND ENTRANCE
Mercia Forest Crematorium is located on Broad Lane, Essington, WV11 2RJ.
The crematorium location is readily accessible from major routes such as Junctions 10 or 11 on the M6. Broad Lane is a well-known road connecting nearby communities such as Wolverhampton (7-miles), Walsall (4-miles), and Cannock (7-miles).
When approaching Mercia Forest Crematorium, the entrance is clearly signposted. If you are approaching from the south (exiting Bloxwich into country side) the crematorium will be on your left. Approaching from the north, the crematorium will be on your right immediately after Broadlands Golf Club.
Look out for the distinctive Westerleigh-colours signpost. The entrance is large, so turning into the crematorium drive (whichever direction) is easy and safe. For those walking, a side gate and pavement is also accessible leading to the chapel and office.
ON ARRIVAL
The Mercia Forest Crematorium road system is based on a 'one way' route plan. As one enters, the road will lead you around to the left and then gently around to the right where you will get a great view of the crematorium chapel and the initial and main parking bays. If these bays are full, carry on round past the chapel and an 'overflow' carpark will be on your right as well as along the drive way.
- Car Parking
There are 75 standard parking spaces for cars and two spaces for coaches. There are enough car spaces for large attendee Services. The car park is directly opposite the entrance to the chapel. The on-site over-flow parking areas are within easy walking distance of the chapel.
- Blue Badge Parking
Four Blue Badge spaces are available, clearly marked with signs and pavement paint and located close to the building entrance. The route from Blue Badge parking to the chapel door is flat and approximately 10–20 metres (30–65 feet), and is fully wheelchair accessible. The area is flat.
- Assistance (Guide) Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome inside the crematorium and chapel as well as in the grounds. Water bowls can be provided, and staff are trained to support those with guide or assistance dogs.
GENERAL FACILITIES
- Waiting Room
The waiting room is located to the left of the main chapel door entrance (approximately 10 metres (30 feet) from the chapel door. The waiting room has about 50 seats, a free water fountain or bottles, and restroom access, making it a comfortable shelter for those arriving early (out of any inclement weather).
- Toilets
Male and female toilets, including accessible disabled toilets, are located in the main building to the right (and around the corner) from the chapel entrance door. There is one wheelchair-friendly facility available, clearly sign posted. The toilets are immaculately maintained and cleaned.
ADMINISTRATION
Office Location and Contacts
- Office: The office is located in an attached building to the chapel to the left of the chapel entrance doors, and 'around the corner'.
- Phone: 01922 660 560
- Email: merciaforest@westerleighgroup.co.uk
- Website: www.merciaforestcrematorium.co.uk
Office Opening Hours
- Monday–Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
- Weekend/Public Holidays: Closed
Crematorium Grounds Opening Hours
- Grounds are generally open during office hours and for memorial visits by arrangement. Details and questions can be checked with the office by calling the above number.
THE CHAPEL
- Number and Name of Chapels
There is one main chapel at Mercia Forest Crematorium. The chapel is light and airy with large windows on the right hand side. Its floral displays are elegant, beautiful and create a serene, calm, and welcoming feel in the chapel. There is a doorway from the waiting room into the corridor before the inner chapel door entrance.
- Chapel seating
The chapel seats up to 112 people, with additional standing room. The seats are arranged in rows, each providing a clear view to the front; arrangements allow for wheelchair users, and some seats can be moved to accommodate individual needs.
- Porte-Cochère
The main entrance to the chapel is centrally located, covered by a porte-cochère (canopy) large enough for cars and hearses to unload passengers directly in front of the doors. The wide central aisle makes access easy for wheelchairs and large groups.
A covered porte-cochère is present, allowing for sheltered arrival and departure. This canopy is high enough for funeral vehicles and provides shelter for mourners.
- Exit door
The exit door (for families leaving the chapel after a Service) is located at the front of the chapel on the right hand side. The double doors lead to the floral tribute area and gardens as well as the car park area.
- Catafalque
The catafalque (platform where the coffin rests during the service) is situated at the front of the chapel, designed as a central focal point. It is fixed rather than movable, and remains at the front throughout each service.
The catafalque is surrounded by curtains that draw together during the committal. Curtains are a neutral colour (cream / tan), opening and closing smoothly from either side and travelling across the front of the catafalque area. They do not close around the catafalque.
- Music and Technology
Music and video tributes are streamed to the chapel by Obitus, a leading provider of funeral music and visual tribute systems. Livestreaming (webcast) and "watch again" options are available for those that cannot attend the Service in person. A hearing loop is available to assist those using hearing aids.
There are two high-resolution TV screens (monitors) in the chapel for displaying visual tributes and photographs. The 'Halo' photograph (a single portrait of the deceased) on the screen is provided free of charge (if wanted). Other Tributes are chargeable.
- Organ/Piano
A digital organ/keyboard is not available in the chapel. Families may also request other forms of live music to make the Service intimate, personal and a Celebration of Life.
TIMINGS
- Allotted and Service timings
In keeping with Westerleigh chapel standard timings, each chapel is allocated a 60-minute slot for services. The usual Service length is 40 minutes, with one Service arranged every hour.
We, (myself, Westerleigh and Distinct Cremations) understand that every farewell is unique. Should you wish to hold a shorter or longer ceremony, I can arrange single or double slots to suit your wishes—whether for more attendees, or to include additional music, poetry, readings, or Tributes in the Service.
For Attended Direct Cremations with family and friends, the allocated chapel time may be either 30 or 60 minutes; this refers to the total time in the chapel, rather than the Service itself. If you would like to discuss your options or explore ideas, please feel free to reach out to me for a supportive and obligation-free conversation.
FACILITIES
- Cemetery & Gardens
Mercia Forest Crematorium does not have a traditional burial cemetery, but interment and scattering of ashes are offered in the memorial gardens, which cover about 10 acres. Benches and seats are scattered throughout for quiet reflection.
- War Graves
There are no war graves at this site.
AFTER THE SERVICE
- Wake / Reception Facilities
There is a selection of local venues available for wake or reception gatherings following the service. The Mercia Forest Crematorium have a list of venues used or recommended by families they have used. The list is not an endorsement from Mercia Forest Crematorium.
Coffee shop
There is currently no coffee shop or café on the crematorium site and no regular refreshments are sold. I would suggest visitors should plan to bring their own or visit one of the nearby local venues after the service. Only water in the Waiting room is available on site.
ASHES
Burial (interment of Ashes)
Ashes may be interred in the cemetery, memorial gardens, or within a family columbarium, in accordance with established protocols.
Scattering
Scattering of ashes is permitted within designated areas of the memorial gardens.
MEMORIALS
- Floral Tributes
Floral tributes are to be placed in the dedicated floral tribute area, which is directly accessible from the chapel exit. There is no independent flower room; arrangements should be made with your funeral director or Mercia Forest Crematorium office for the delivery and collection of flowers before and after the service. All tributes will remain for five days after the service in the floral tribute area, families are asked to collect them within five days if they wish to keep them.
- Book of Remembrance
Located onsite; entries arranged through the office.
Memorial Walls/Plaques
- Located in the gardens, mounted to stones or wooden panels.
Wake/Reception Onsite
No dedicated facilities onsite; see Wake Reception Facilities above.
Heaven Post Box
Currently not available.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
- Safe Places Venues
Mercia Forest Crematorium is currently not designated as a Safe Places Venue.
- Awards and Recognitions
Westerleigh Group, a Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities member, is a recognized provider with professional memberships and an established reputation for quality and care.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The company Indigo Landscape Architects (based in Salisbury) was contracted by The Westerleigh Group to orchestrate the creation of The Mercia Forest Crematorium.
Along with their partners, McPhillips (Wellington) Limited (based in Shropshire) an award winning civil engineering and building company co-ordinated resources, logistics, planning and designing.
The land prior to clearing and building was a brown field site, largely covered in vegetation with mature and semi-mature trees covering the whole site. The majority of the site was cleared for landscaping and building work.
Jack Moody Group were amongst the team of companies to create the soft landscaping of the grounds.
One specification given to the contractors was for the back of house operations (the Cremator and equipment) had to be completed 10 weeks before the practical completion. This was achieved.
The logistical specifications and brief were extensive; the trees, hedges and soft landscaping had to be established before the hand-over to Westerleigh. All this set against the prevailing south Staffordshire weather. Once again everything was achieved.
The Westerleigh Group is leading the way when it comes to greener crematoria in the UK. Their sites aren’t just about providing a service—they’re also packed with clever technology designed to keep the air cleaner and cut down on harmful emissions. For example, they use advanced filtration systems, including special NOx abatement tech, which helps tackle pollutants and reduce their carbon footprint.
But they don’t stop there. The Group has embraced some smart energy-saving ideas too, like solar panels and a system that captures and reuses heat from the cremation process. This means they rely much less on traditional energy sources. Add in features such as zonal heating, which only warms up spaces when and where it’s needed, and low-energy lighting throughout, its a setup that’s efficient, sustainable, and forward-thinking.
Westerleigh has found a way to marry environmental responsibility with modern efficiency, setting a strong example for how essential services can care for both people and the planet. This is just one reason I love to conduct Services at Mercia Forest Crematorium and the other Westerleigh chapels.
