Electric cremators could be used to cut costs

Grimsby Crematorium could use electric cremators instead of gas ones in a bid to cut emissions and costs.

North East Lincolnshire Council said the move would cost £4.7m and would be a much cheaper option than replacing ageing gas ones.

If approved at a cabinet meeting in February, an extension would have to be built at the Weelsby Avenue site to house the new equipment.

A spokesperson said: "Electric models would have lower operating costs and there would be no need for temporary cremators during installation, avoiding significant hire costs."

The authority said it would utilise a £1.5m grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme toward the cost, with the remainder coming from council borrowing.

The council said a switch to electric cremators would also help in its ambition to reach net zero by 2030.

The spokesperson added: "By contrast, replacing the gas cremators would cost between £5.7m to £6.6m, involve 12 weeks of downtime and provide no environmental benefits.

"It would also require the hire of temporary cremators at a cost of £40,000 per week in rental and lost income. Gas cremators would not qualify for grant funding."

The crematorium team visited Rushcliffe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire to see how it operated and said they were satisfied electric cremators would work well in Grimsby.

If approved, installation is planned for Spring 2027.

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