| Seafield Cemetery and Crematorium Seafield Road Edinburgh EH6 7LD Telephone 0131 554 3496 |
| The Leith Cemetery Company Ltd opened Seafield Cemetery in 1887 and carried out its first burial the following year. The company changed its name to the Leith Cemetery and Crematorium Company Ltd when it opened Seafield Crematorium in 1939. In 1965 Edinburgh Crematorium Ltd acquired the assets of the Leith Cemetery and Crematorium Company Ltd. The crematorium is now a listed building. On April 22nd 1939 The Scotsman newspaper gave the following description of the Crematorium; It is the first crematorium in the south-east of Scotland specifically built for the purpose, and the planning is based on the latest examples in this country, and on the Continent, and introduces one or two new features for buildings of this type. Messrs W. N. Thomson, Leith,are the architects. The design makes extensive provision for floral decoration of the exterior of the building. Flanking the classic portico at the main entrance are large built-in flower boxes where it is intended that an attractive display of flowers and shrubs should be a permanent part of the decorations. In the construction of the building a new type of facing material has been used. It is composed of reconstructed granite and is of fine substantial appearance. The chapel, providing accommodation for about 150 mourners, represents a distinct break with the traditional style of church architecture, but, although modern in character, an effect combining dignity and simplicity has been secured. The floor is of polished oak, while the catafalque is of Swedish light green marble, and the catafalque itself of selected Swedish dark green marble, with a base of Cippolino, an uncommon Italian marble. In the apsidal end behind the catafalque is a niche containing a panel by Mr. W. Macaulay, a young Edinburgh mosaic artist, who has studied in Greece. The design is in the form of a cross, with the dove of peace descending towards it, and below the cross there is worked into the mosaic the Inscription—Jesus hominum Salvator. Illuminated with concealed floodlighting, the mosaic is seen through an ornamental wrought-iron grille. Bayliss, Jones, & Bayliss, Ltd., Wolverhampton, supplied the wrought-iron work. Lecterns and table behind the catafalque were specially designed for the building. They are executed in natural waxed oak by Messrs J. & T. Scott, Edinburgh. The entire building is heated by the electric convector system, and the chapel is lit by specially designed indirect wall brackets, the apsidal end and catafalque being emphasised by concealed flood-lighting. Woodwork throughout the building is finished in natural colour and waxed. |
| SEAFIELD CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM |