Short History of Cremation in Southampton

Southampton Corporation first considered building a crematorium at Southampton (Old) Cemetery in the 1890s but the idea was dropped through a lack of interest in cremation.
When in the 1920s further consideration was given to building a crematorium in Southampton, the site chosen was in Hollybrook Cemetery. However, the plan did not proceed due to objections, and subsequently a vacant building at South Stoneham was converted for the purpose in 1932.
This only had one chapel and, as early as 1946, it was realised that the building would become unsuitable in view of the growth in the number of cremations and also because of the development of the adjacent airport and planned changes to the South Coast Road now the M27 motorway. Hardmoor Copse on Bassett Green Road was
identified as a suitable site and approved by the local council in 1951. Preparatory work on the design of the building and negotiations for the purchase of the fourteenacre site began in 1967 and were completed in 1971. A dedication ceremony, led by the Bishop of Winchester, was held at the Crematorium on the 27 September 1973,
and the building opened on 8 October of that year.
The old crematorium at South Stoneham was demolished in 1974 to make way for the M27 motorway. The topsoil from the original garden was removed by hand to its present location and now forms the South Stoneham Garden of Rest.

Facts about cremation in Southampton
1. The first modern cremation to take place did so on the 13th July 1932.
2. 192 cremations took place during 1933
3. The 179,000th cremation service was held during April 2005.
4. Approximately 3500 cremations are carried out each.
5. Approximately 82% of deaths in Southampton result in cremation.
6. The crematorium is one of the five largest in the UK.