Garden access restricted during crematorium refurbishment

Access to Perth Crematorium’s remembrance gardens will be restricted during ongoing refurbishment work.

Council officials have asked anyone planning to visit the memorial site on weekdays – between 9am and 5pm – to make appointments in advance to secure safe access.

The crematorium building was closed to the public earlier this month as part of a multimillion-pound upgrade.

It is the first make-over since the centre opened in 1962.

Work is also under way on the new A9/A85 road which runs past the facility.

Although closed to the public until early next year, cremations will continue to take place – apart from during an estimated eight-week period when new cremators are being installed.

A council spokeswoman said: “When visiting the crematorium and gardens, visitors should be aware that changes have been made to the entrance on Crieff Road and driveway as part of the A9/A85 roadworks.

“The main crematorium car park is also closed. Limited public car parking space has been made available and is signed on the left-hand side of the entrance driveway, near the building.”

A new water point has been set up for visitors at the summer garden, which is outwith the construction zone.

The book of remembrance has been temporarily relocated to the North Inch Community Campus Library, Gowans Terrace.

Funeral directors and other local groups have been working to ensure that the upheaval does not cause too much upset for grieving families, with St Matthew’s Church opening to large, non-religious funerals.