East Lothian Crematorium — Personalised Funeral Services near Edinburgh

East Lothian Crematorium provides a modern, peaceful setting for cremation services near Musselburgh and Edinburgh. Its spacious chapel, landscaped memorial gardens and extensive parking make it a practical choice for families from across East Lothian and the surrounding area.

Operated by Westerleigh Group, the crematorium welcomes people of all faiths, beliefs and cultural traditions. Moreover, its distinctive audiovisual technology allows families to create a highly personal ceremony using music, photographs, themed images and complementary lighting.

A caring crematorium serving East Lothian

East Lothian Crematorium and Memorial Gardens officially opened in 2025. It stands on Old Craighall Road, north of Old Craighall village and close to Musselburgh.

The location makes it accessible to families from Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Prestonpans, Tranent, Portobello, Haddington and other communities across East Lothian and Midlothian.

Families usually arrange the crematorium through a funeral director. The funeral director can coordinate the booking, submit the required paperwork and organise the chosen music and visual tributes.

Another Westerleigh crematorium in Scotland

Westerleigh Group also operates Bishopbriggs Crematorium near Glasgow. Opened in 2024, it provides a modern 120-seat chapel, extensive parking and landscaped memorial grounds for families across East Dunbartonshire and Greater Glasgow.

Location and surroundings

The crematorium occupies a quiet rural site with views across the surrounding landscape. Carefully maintained grounds, a Garden of Remembrance and dedicated scattering areas provide peaceful places for families to return and reflect.

Although the crematorium is close to Musselburgh and Edinburgh, its countryside setting feels calm and secluded. In addition, seasonal planting and landscaped areas soften the modern architecture and create an appropriate environment for remembrance.

Travelling to East Lothian Crematorium

The crematorium is situated on Old Craighall Road, close to the A1 and the Edinburgh City Bypass. Therefore, it is conveniently placed for visitors travelling from Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.

Drivers should use the postcode EH21 8XB for satellite navigation. As the site is relatively new, visitors may also wish to check their route before setting off.

Public transport may require a walk or a connecting taxi. Consequently, anyone unfamiliar with the area should plan the complete journey in advance.

Parking at East Lothian Crematorium

There are 106 allocated parking spaces, including six accessible bays. An overflow car park provides additional capacity for larger funerals.

Electric vehicle charging points are also available in the main car park. However, families expecting a particularly large attendance should inform the crematorium beforehand so the team can help manage the arrangements.

Chapel and funeral facilities

The contemporary chapel is light, spacious and welcoming. Floral displays and private views of the grounds help create a warm atmosphere without favouring a particular religion or belief.

The chapel can host Christian, non-religious, humanist and other faith-based ceremonies. Families may also incorporate cultural traditions, personal readings or contributions from relatives and friends.

A uniformed chapel attendant remains available throughout the ceremony to help the service run smoothly.

Chapel capacity at East Lothian Crematorium

The chapel seats approximately 112 mourners and also provides standing room. For larger funerals, additional mourners can gather within the entrance lobby and beneath the covered chapel canopy.

External speakers allow people outside the main seating area to hear the ceremony. Visual monitors in the waiting area and chapel foyer also help mourners follow the service when the chapel reaches capacity.

Families expecting a large attendance should discuss this with their funeral director and the crematorium before finalising the arrangements.

Immersive visual tributes

East Lothian Crematorium was the first crematorium in Scotland to introduce an immersive funeral experience of this kind. Instead of limiting photographs to a conventional screen, the Canvas system can project imagery across the entire front wall of the chapel.

Families can choose themed backgrounds, personal photographs and complementary lighting. Options range from simple colours and floral designs to more distinctive scenes, such as Edinburgh Castle or a football stadium.

The waiting room can also display a gallery of photographs. As a result, the tribute can begin when mourners arrive and continue throughout the ceremony.

Enhanced options may include a welcome screen, a photograph and name displayed in the chapel, and a slideshow of up to 25 images accompanied by music. Additional fees and preparation deadlines may apply.

Music, webcasting and recordings

The Obitus music system provides access to an extensive catalogue of hymns, classical works and contemporary music. If a particular piece is unavailable, the funeral director may be able to request it in advance.

A discreet camera at the back of the chapel allows families to arrange a live webcast. This provides secure online access for relatives and friends who cannot attend in person.

Recordings and keepsakes may also be available after the service. Families should discuss webcasting, photographs and audiovisual tributes with their funeral director early enough to meet the submission deadlines.

Accessibility and visitor comfort

The crematorium provides level and step-free access throughout its main visitor areas. It also has ramps, accessible toilets, a hearing loop and six designated accessible parking spaces.

A modern waiting room gives mourners somewhere comfortable to gather before entering the chapel. Meanwhile, the covered entrance offers shelter during poor weather.

Anyone with a specific accessibility requirement should contact the crematorium before the funeral. Advance notice helps the team provide suitable assistance.

Service length and cremation options

East Lothian Crematorium offers attended services from Monday to Saturday. Sunday services may also be available by request.

A standard daytime booking provides 60 minutes of chapel use, with approximately 40 minutes available for the ceremony. This gives families time for music, readings, a eulogy and quiet reflection without making the service feel hurried.

Early morning services provide 30 minutes of chapel use and allow approximately 20 minutes for the ceremony. Twilight appointments offer the same overall chapel time as a standard daytime service.

Families who need a longer ceremony can request additional chapel time for an extra fee. This may help when a funeral includes several speakers, cultural traditions or a large attendance.

The crematorium also provides unattended direct cremations. These take place without mourners or a funeral ceremony, although suitable music may accompany the coffin into the chapel.

Floral tributes

After the ceremony, mourners leave through a sheltered floral tribute area. This gives families time to view the flowers and speak with other people who attended the funeral.

Floral tributes usually remain on display for 2 days, including the day of the service. Alternatively, families may donate suitable flowers for the crematorium team to display within the chapel or grounds.

Anyone wishing to collect particular flowers, cards or personal items should agree the arrangements with the crematorium.

Cremated remains and ashes

The crematorium normally prepares the ashes for collection by the following day. Either the funeral director or the applicant for cremation can collect them. Another relative will need written permission from the applicant.

Families may choose to:

• Collect the ashes for safekeeping
• Scatter them in a communal or private area
• Inter them beneath a garden memorial
• Place them within an above-ground memorial
• Take them elsewhere for burial or scattering

A communal scattering within the crematorium grounds is normally available without an additional charge when the cremation took place there. Families can attend the scattering or ask the team to carry it out privately.

Anyone who remains unsure can speak to the memorial team before making a final decision. There is no need to rush into choosing a permanent resting place.

Memorial gardens and remembrance options

East Lothian Crematorium offers a broad selection of memorials within its landscaped grounds. Available choices may include benches, birdbaths, natural stones, plaques, vases, cremation tablets and living memorials.

Miniature graves and above-ground vaults can provide a defined resting place for cremated remains. By contrast, communal memorials offer a simpler tribute within a shared area.

Families can also arrange an inscription in the Book of Remembrance or choose jewellery, urns and other keepsakes. Since dedication periods and prices differ, the memorial team can explain the current choices during an appointment.

Cremation fees and practical costs

Fees vary according to the time and type of service. Standard daytime, early morning, twilight, weekend and unattended cremations may each have different prices.

The main cremation fee will usually cover the chapel, staff, administration, cremation and basic use of the music system. However, enhanced visual tributes, webcasting, recordings, extended chapel time and memorial products may cost extra.

The crematorium charge forms only one part of the complete funeral cost. Other expenses may include the funeral director, coffin, transport, celebrant or minister, flowers and printed orders of service.

Prices are reviewed regularly. Therefore, families should request the latest fee schedule and a complete quotation before confirming arrangements. A cremation cost calculator may also help with initial budgeting.

Opening times at East Lothian Crematorium

The crematorium office opens from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Memorial appointments are available during the same hours.

The grounds open at the following times:

• April to September, Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 6.00pm
• October to March, Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
• Weekends and public holidays: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Opening times may change during exceptional weather or holiday periods. Visitors making a special journey should telephone first.

Contact details

Address: East Lothian Crematorium and Memorial Gardens, Old Craighall Road, Musselburgh, Edinburgh EH21 8XB
Telephone: 0131 392 7844
Email: eastlothian@westerleighgroup.co.uk
Office opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Website: East Lothian Crematorium official website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking at East Lothian Crematorium?

Yes. East Lothian Crematorium has 106 allocated spaces, including six accessible bays. An overflow car park and electric vehicle charging points are also available.

How many people can attend a funeral at East Lothian Crematorium?

The chapel seats approximately 112 mourners and provides additional standing room. Speakers and visual monitors also allow people in the lobby, waiting area and beneath the covered entrance to follow the service.

How long is a service at East Lothian Crematorium?

A standard booking provides 60 minutes of chapel use, with around 40 minutes available for the ceremony. Early services provide 30 minutes of chapel use and approximately 20 minutes for the funeral.

Can a funeral at East Lothian Crematorium be watched online?

Yes. Families can arrange a secure live webcast through their funeral director. Recordings and other media keepsakes may also be available for an additional charge.

Are there toilets at East Lothian Crematorium?

Yes. Accessible toilet facilities are available, together with step-free access, ramps and a hearing loop. Anyone needing additional support should contact the crematorium before attending.