THE CITY of London’s old crematorium is to be given a �1million makeover in the spring.
The Grade II listed building in Manor Park, which has been used as a chapel for the past 10 years, is to get its first spruce-up since it was mothballed and replaced by a new crematorium in the ’60s.
Gary Burks, superintendent and registrar of City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, said: “We hope to begin the job in the spring and are currently putting it out to tender.”
The makeover to the listed site in Aldersbrook Road was approved by the City of London Corporation two years ago.
Work will include replacing the roof, repairing the chimney stack, rewiring and general refurbishment of the chapel.
The job is expected to take around eight months to complete.
Built in 1904, following the Cremation Act of 1902, the building was the first municipal crematorium in London and the 10th in the country.
It adjoins the City of London Cemetery, which was opened in 1856.
A Grade I listed landscape, it is one of the largest municipal cemeteries in Europe and is the final resting place of many famous names, including eminent 17th century scientist Sir Robert Hooke, England World Cup-winning football captain Bobby Moore and two of Jack the Ripper’s murder victims.
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