Location and entrance
Waseley Hills Crematorium is located on New Inns Lane, Rubery, Birmingham B45 9TS, opposite Boleyn Road on a bend. The Crematorium is a short distance from junction 4 of the M5.
The entrance displays the Westerleigh Waseley Hill sign.
As you enter, the road will via to the left up an incline top a small roundabout. Proceed over the roundabout (first exit), through landscaped gardens, and a curving driveway around to the right. The site is distinguished by its natural setting, mature trees, flower borders, and views of the rolling hills.
ARRIVAL
- Car Parking
Waseley Hills Crematorium has space for 120 vehicles in marked bays. The parking is, in effect divided into a number of carpark areas.
As one drives up the driveway from the front entrance gate (on Rubery Lane), parking is located on the ‘ring’ road above and opposite the chapel entrance – on the left. There is only one road through the Crematorium .
There are two other ‘traditional’ parking areas you will spot. The first on the right as you drive round the crematorium building and the next ahead of you on the left as the road curves round to the right. There are designated overflow parking areas. They are well signposted, just a short walk from the main chapel entrance.
- Blue Badge parking
There are 10 blue badge (disabled) spaces clearly marked near the main entrance There is step-free access and dropped kerbs for wheelchair users. The distance from these Blue Badge spaces to the chapel entrance is approximately 18 metres (60 feet). The route is smooth, easy and wheelchair friendly.
- Assistance (Guide) dogs
All Assistance (guide) dogs are permitted throughout the site. Water bowls can be provided on request, and the staff is trained in accommodating guests with assistance animals. Please let the staff know if you are bringing a dog to a Service – they will provide dog water bowls if you request it.
GENERAL FACILITIES
- Waiting Room
The waiting room is located to the right of the main chapel entrance door. There are in fact two entrances – one at the front of the building and the second in the corridor just before the entrance into the chapel itself.
The waiting room has 20 comfortable seats, as well as a water dispenser for guests to use. The waiting room is next to the chapel entrance.
- Toilets
Male, female, and disabled toilets are in the main building, to the right of the waiting room (the next door). Facilities are modern, very clean, and accessible, with two disabled toilets available.
ADMINISTRATION
- Office location
The office is located on-site in the main building. Park in a marked bay (as if attending a Service), walk down to the chapel entrance (under the Porte-Cochère – covered canopy) and immediately turn right and follow the contours of the ‘round’ building until you find the office main entrance on your left at the rear of the building.
Address: Waseley Hills Cemetery, Crematorium & Memorial Garden, New Inns Lane, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9TS.
Telephone: 0121 387 0710.
Email: info@waseleyhillscrematorium.co.uk.
Website: https://www.waseleyhillscrematorium.co.uk
- Office opening hours
The office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm. It is closed on weekends and public/bank holidays unless by prior appointment.
- Crematorium grounds opening hours
The grounds are open daily, generally 9:00am–5:00pm; longer hours in summer and shorter in winter. Hours may vary on holidays, please check before setting off.
THE CHAPEL
- Number of Chapels
There is one main chapel, known as the Waseley Hills Chapel. It is centrally located between the waiting room and the floral tribute area.
The ceiling in the chapel is low – unlike many chapels around the country which can be very high, creating sometimes a ‘Caven-like’ atmosphere. Waseley Hills Crematorium has a wonderful, intimate feel. As a result, the sound system is not ‘echo-ey’ or ‘tinny’ – if music is an important aspect to your Service and loved one.
The lighting is not quite subdued, but is at the right level to give comfort and reassurance to people. The lights do not glare or seem overly bright. The overall impression is of a very cozy, beautiful ambience that is so fitting and the ‘right place’ to say goodbye to a loved one. In my opinion, it is one of the nicest modern Crematoria in the West Midlands.
- Porte-Cochère
A large Porte-Cochère canopy covers the chapel entrance, approximately 3.7 metres (12 feet) high, allowing for covered arrival and departure in all weather.
- Chapel Seating
The chapel seats 105 guests comfortably, with more than ample standing room at the rear of the chapel and if need be, outside. Speakers are situated in the roof outside for those that cannot be seated in the chapel but wish to hear the Service.
Inside the chapel, there are approximately 10 rows, each with 10–12 seats. Seats can be moved to accommodate wheelchairs. Seating for the immediate family is generally on the right side of the chapel in front of the lectern.
- Entrance into the chapel
The chapel entrance is to the front of the building under the Porte-Cochère canopy, facing the car park. The entrance has wide comfortable double doors to accommodate several people walking in at the same time. The chapel aisle width is approximately 1.7 metres (5.5 feet) wide.
- Exit door from the chapel
The exit door is to the left-hand side of the chapel (opposite side to the lectern), leading directly to the covered floral tribute area and memorial gardens.
- Catafalque
The catafalque is a fixed feature, finished in natural materials, centrally located at the front of the chapel. It is elevated for easy viewing by everyone in the chapel and does not lower. It is set back in what looks like a separate room.
- Catafalque Curtains
Curtains are an elegant tan-colour, with two moving curtain panels joining centrally; the curtain crosses the front of the catafalque but does not encircle it.
There is a choice of curtains: Voile curtains only. This allows one to partially see the coffin behind the voile curtain.
Secondly, just the main curtains closing (no voile).
Or thirdly, the voile followed by the main curtain closing. As the curtains close, the light in the Catafalque area will fade out to darkness.
- Music Streaming and Webcast
The chapel uses Obitus for music, webcasting, and tributes. A full hearing loop is available for visitors with hearing aids.
- Visual Tribute
There are two large TV screens/monitors located at the front of the chapel for visual tributes, images, and videos.
A Halo Photo (a Portrait photograph of your loved one/deceased) can be displayed during the Service – Free of charge.
A Visual tribute – 25 (or more) images set to a piece of music beautifully edited together (by Obitus) can be viewed on both screens. There is a cost to this.
- Organ/Piano
No. An organ/keyboard is not available at Waseley Hills Crematorium.
- Allotted and Service timings
The standard allotted chapel time ('The Allocated Slot') is 60-minutes. The Service time is 40-minutes, with one service allocated per hour.
A choice of shorter or longer ceremonies is available – depending on your needs and wishes (single, double slots – for bigger number of attendees, or you wish to put more songs, poetry, Tributes, readings and so forth into your Service).
For Attended Direct Cremations for you, family and friends (see Distinct Cremations), allotted chapel time can be 30 or 60 minutes (that is, the total chapel allotted time – not the Service time). Please call me for a no obligation discussion of the various options and ideas.
CREMATORIUM FACILITIES
- Cemetery
A new cemetery opened on the site in January 2024. The cemetery offers both lawn and traditional sections for graves.
Families can place flowers and objects according to guidelines: fresh flowers are permitted, and rules on ornaments and kerbstones vary between lawn and traditional grave sections. Please talk to the staff at the Crematorium for more details and pricing.
- War Graves
There are no formal war (CWGC) graves at the cemetery.
- Gardens
The manicured Memorial gardens cover an area of approximately 12 acres. The gardens include various wildflowers, seating benches for contemplation, and various quiet seating areas.
AFTER THE SERVICE
- Wake / Reception facilities
There are a number of local venues locally to choose from.
- Coffee shop
No. The is no coffee shop is on site.
ASHES
- Burial (Interment of Ashes)
Yes. Ashes may be interred in the cemetery, memorial gardens, or family columbarium.
- Scattering
Yes. Scattering of ashes is permitted in designated areas of the memorial gardens.
MEMORIALS
- Floral Tributes, displays, wreathes and bouquets
Floral tributes are placed on stands in a covered area just outside the chapel exit.
- Removal of Flower Tributes
Flowers must be removed within 5 days of the service, as per grounds maintenance policy. The Tributes can be collected anytime up to five days after the Service.
- Book of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance is in a dedicated room adjacent to reception and open during regular working hours.
- Family Columbarium
Yes. The columbarium is located in the memorial gardens.
- Memorial Wall Plaques
Yes. Memorial wall plaques are located on dedicated walls along garden paths.
- Wake/Reception Facilities (onsite)
No. There are no on-site facilities for wakes or receptions.
- Heaven Post Box
Yes. Heaven Post Box is currently available for posting letters.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
- Safe Places Venues
Waseley Hills Crematorium is not formally designated as a 'Safe Places Venue' but offers support for vulnerable visitors.
- Awards and Recognitions
The site is accredited by the Westerleigh Group, a Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities member, and is recognized for environmental standards and community service.
Prior to the purchase and the start of the building of Waseley Hills Crematorium, the land was primarily greenbelt countryside – on the boundary between Bromsgrove and Birmingham.
The landscape of the area was predominantly rolling hills, pastures and small sections of woodland. It was privately owned and used as a Pony paddock and open grazing land. The land was in private hands for around 30 years.
The land (approximately 20 acres) wasn’t used for much and was of little value, income wise. The owner tried to find a higher-value use for his land. However, with Greenbelt status, this proved hard as there were so many restrictions of what one can and can’t do.
H2 Land Step in
H2 Land, a company that specializes in helping clients with their land, taking them through the planning and development process; helping the landowner maximize their asset stepped-in and advised the private landowner. The change in the status of the land for funeral purposes was the key.
H2 Land found the need for local cemetery and cremation services. Nothing is easy and things take time. H2 Land through diligence and hard work overcame the Greenbelt various restrictions with ideas and suggestions.
The site was sold to The Westerleigh Group (the UK’s largest independent owner and operator of over 40 crematoria and cemeteries in the UK) who then hired Stride Treglown architects (based in Bristol) to achieve their goals in creating an environmentally and eco friendly crematorium.
The main chapel was designed by Stride Treglown architects (based in Bristol) and constructed by Stepnell construction (based in Rugby, Warwickshire).
Construction starts
Construction finally started in June 2021. The development was completed in just 38 weeks - from footings to finishing. The Westerleigh Group has owned the crematorium from the beginning and remains its current operator.
Just under a third of the land (approximately 8-acres) is currently undeveloped and is subject to future planning applications as for its potential use.
Westerleigh's commitment
Westerleigh is constant in their belief to focus on respecting nature and the natural landscape. In 2024, a cemetery was created on the land. Their high standards will be applicable to this area too.
