Hartlepool funeral home is blessed after refurbishment

Co-op Funeralcare’s Strathmore House in Hartlepool’s Stockton Road has undergone a refurbishment, and the representatives of three faiths took part in the service to bless the rooms and the building.

Rev Janet Burbury (Church of England), Father Jim Angus (Roman Catholic) and Rev Janice Trimble (Methodist), all gave their blessing to the building during a service in the chapel.

Deputy Mayor of Hartlepool, Coun Paul Beck, opened the service and the Deputy Mayoress, his wife Mary, read a poem.

Eddy Miller, principal funeral director at the funeral home, said: “We have had quite a big refurbishment, so we needed to hold the service of re-dedication.

“It is comforting for families to know the rooms have been fully blessed for the deceased to rest in.

“Even if families are non-religious, it is still lovely to know that their loved ones are in a calm, sacred place, where families can come and spend time with them.”

The funeral home has four rooms of remembrance, where the deceased are placed, as well as a chapel where funeral services can be held.

It also has a catering suite if family want to hold a wake there.

Mr Miller said the previous purple theme in Strathmore House has been replaced by a cream and grey colour scheme.

He said: “It is very calming, so people can come along and not feel overwhelmed by the decor.”

Strathmore house was built in the 1870s and bought by Hartlepool’s Co-operative Society in 1945.