Oakfield Gardens Crematorium - Flitwick, Central Bedfordshire Council
Oakfield Gardens Crematorium in Flitwick, Bedfordshire was completed in May 2024. Treske were selected for the supply of the furniture and soft furnishings for this brand-new crematorium facility built for Central Bedford Council. We collaborated closely with Matt Donald at DT Architects and the team at Space Maker Developments in the design and layout of the interior of this site. Treske closely coordinated with the client, Central Bedfordshire Council to ensure that everything required from the furniture was factored into the initial brief.
The building is very contemporary in style whilst remaining sympathetic to its semi-rural surroundings and our furniture needed to blend with this architectural style. The furniture was designed needed to be light and flexible whilst at the same time being strong enough to stand up the rigorous daily requirements of a busy public access building.
The furniture for the main chapel has all been supplied in a ‘lightly fumed’ oak with a very natural colour palette chosen for the upholstery and curtain fabrics. This light and contemporary theme helps to contribute to the overall feeling of calm and solace through the entrance hall, waiting areas and into the main service chapel.
Treske provided an adjustable height lectern allowing Celebrants and other users (with the simple push of a button) to adjust the height of the lectern to suit their requirements. Treske also worked very closely with Sam Wood and the Obitus team for all the AV requirements, focussing on making sure the microphone, control panel and curtain switches were precisely placed on the lectern top to maximize user friendliness.
The bespoke catafalque designed for this project pivots around a 90-degree axis and thereby allows the easy loading and unloading of the coffin at the start and finish of each service. The chapel attendants can also rotate the catafalque to present the coffin sideways on if this is required by the families or funeral directors.
The completion of this stunning new facility at Oakfield Gardens Crematorium, Flitwick ensures that mourners and funeral directors within the Bedfordshire area now have one of the best facilities in the UK to say a final and very fitting farewell to their loved ones.
