Plans are being unveiled for a new crematorium on the northern edge of Maidenhead to serve bereaved families in the area.

Developers say the crematorium would provide a less hurried, more local option.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead does not have a crematorium of its own with bereaved residents having to travel to Slough Crematorium or further afield to Amersham for The Chilterns crematorium.

This usually means a journey of around 35 minutes or more for a funeral cortege, which the developers say adds further distress and anxiety at the most difficult of times.

Slough crematorium was built in 1963 and allows just 30 minutes between each funeral.

The Chilterns are similarly aged and are known to be very busy, holding an average of 3218 cremations per year, which equates to 13 funerals per day.

The developers are set to consult with local residents on their plans to build in a secluded spot off Switchback Road North at Long Lane.

The chapel would seat 100 people and hold just four funerals per day, enabling better spacing between funeral services and a less rushed funeral experience for families than at present.

A minimum of an hour will be allowed for each service. 

Elegy is led by Richard Evans who said: "There is an urgent need to provide a new purpose-built crematorium to serve families living in the Maidenhead area. 

"Our aim is to relieve pressure on existing facilities and to offer a quieter, more dignified setting for local families to hold a personal service closer to home."

The crematorium has been "sensitively designed" to match the local character.

The low-profile building will sit down into the slope of the field and will be screened on all sides with trees, hedgerows and extra planting so that it blends into the countryside.

The site is not overlooked by any neighbours, which means that bereaved families will be given privacy. 

Mr Evans added: "We plan to create a beautiful, natural setting for funerals. 

"The development will enhance the existing landscape with extensive extra planting of trees, flowers, hedgerows, shrubs and a wildflower meadow."

Local Funeral Directors have praised the plans including Julian Walker of AB Walker, who runs Berkshire’s largest independent funeral business: "A cremation facility in the area to the north of Maidenhead would better serve the community from within the region. 

"The value to the community to have a facility closer and better able to meet the needs of the bereaved without any delays or additional costs for travel is clear."

Further information has been provided on elegy.co.uk with local residents asked to submit their views.