Why it matters: The two current cremators, installed in 2012, are approaching their recommended replacement date and present significant maintenance and financial pressures. New environmental regulations also require all cremators to have full abatement technology by December 2029, which the existing equipment cannot meet.
The details: The council is recommending replacing the current gas cremators with new gas-fired equipment, which would reduce carbon emissions by more than half from 261 tonnes to an estimated 107 tonnes per year.
Councillors also want to carry out a major refurbishment of the crematorium facilities, including:
Modernising dated toilet facilities
Repainting all areas and installing new carpets
Creating a covered area for floral tributes
Installing a new covered entrance structure
Upgrading the family viewing room
Adding a second catafalque to enable direct cremations
Installing an electric wheeled trolley to reduce physical strain on staff
The bigger picture: The crematorium, located at the New Cemetery in North Ipswich, is a historically significant facility that serves as a central location for cremation services. However, the current cremators have faced ongoing maintenance issues since their manufacturer ATI went into liquidation in 2020, limiting the availability of spare parts.
What they're saying: Councillor Lucy Trenchard, portfolio holder for parks and climate change, said: "This vital work would ensure we provide families with a continued reliable and respectful service into the future, whilst reducing environmental impact and meeting modern regulatory standards.
"The renovation works would provide those who are grieving with a much-improved, modernised environment for them to say goodbye to their loved ones."
The risks: If one or both cremators suddenly failed, it would cause immediate service disruption, delaying or requiring redirection of scheduled cremations and creating operational backlogs. A long-term failure would significantly reduce capacity, creating prolonged delays and forcing families to wait or seek services at other facilities.
Under new regulations published by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in December 2025, cremators without compliant abatement systems will be limited to just 100 hours of operation per year from December 2029, compared to the current estimated usage of more than 3,500 hours per year.
For context: The proposal being considered includes four main options: closing the crematorium entirely, replacing the cremators with electric alternatives, or pursuing a like-for-like gas replacement with varying levels of refurbishment.
Electric cremators would offer greater carbon emission reductions (to just 30 tonnes per year) but cost approximately £1.1m more than gas alternatives, require 40% more space, and have less established technology with only 2% of the market.
What's next: If approved, the project would be managed through the council's development agreement with Handford Homes Ltd, trading as Handford Developments. Work would be carefully planned to ensure continuity of service throughout the replacement and refurbishment programme.
The bottom line: After 13 years of service, Ipswich Crematorium's cremators have reached their recommended replacement date, forcing councillors to decide whether to invest in modernising the facility or explore alternative options, with new environmental regulations adding urgency to the decision.
