The Whakatāne Crematorium and chapel are fully operational again following a major upgrade that temporarily closed the facility for six weeks.
A new cremator has been installed, replacing the previous 16-year-old unit, to support the facility's “ongoing service to local families.”
Whakatāne District Council open spaces operations manager Ian Molony said the project benefits both the community and the environment.
"The crematorium provides an important service for local families, and it's important that we have reliable equipment in place to support that," he said.
"Our new cremator uses modern technology, operates more efficiently and provides improved environmental performance."
Council said the new unit aligns with current Bay of Plenty Regional Council air quality requirements and delivers improved efficiency compared with its predecessor.
"This investment ensures the facility can continue meeting community needs while maintaining current environmental standards into the future,” said Molony.
The crematorium and chapel had been closed since June 9 while the work was carried out, and Molony acknowledged the patience of families and funeral directors affected during that time.
"We appreciate the understanding and support we received while this work was carried out and thank everyone for their patience during the temporary closure."
The Whakatāne Crematorium and chapel are now fully operational.
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