Wigan Crematorium chapel has just played host to its first wedding as local funeral director Diane Davies tied the knot with Craig Winstanley, while the bride’s boss officiated.
“Craig and I wanted a quaint little chapel. I’m down there on a daily basis; it’s a lovely place with fabulous staff. And it can be like any church: not just for grief but for celebration too,” says Davies, who works at Varty’s Funeral Directors, which is just down the road from the historic chapel.
Davies’ boss Bill Varty was the officiating minister (the legal formalities took place on a separate occasion) and the wedding was very much a funeral sector family affair with practitioners from across the industry playing a variety of other important roles.
The crematorium staff handled the doors and music; a retired florist who used to work with Varty’s decked out the chapel with flowers; memorial jeweller Bernadette Breheny made bespoke wedding rings for the happy couple. Breheny also made the bride’s engagement ring.
Davies hopes other couples might now look on the chapel as the perfect location for an intimate service. “Perhaps other people will now consider using the chapel, including those whose loved ones have had funerals there and want to feel close to them on such a special occasion,” she says.
The service took place with the backing of the local council.