Gilroes Crematorium — Funeral and Cremation Services in Leicester

Gilroes Crematorium provides cremation services for families throughout Leicester and the surrounding parts of Leicestershire. Located within Gilroes Cemetery on Groby Road, it has two non-denominational chapels, modern audiovisual facilities and peaceful Gardens of Remembrance.

The crematorium opened in 1902 and remains an important part of Leicester’s bereavement services. Leicester City Council manages the site, which welcomes religious, cultural and non-religious funeral ceremonies. Families can arrange an attended funeral, a simple unattended cremation or a personal celebration of life.

A caring crematorium serving Leicester families

Gilroes crematorium serves communities from across Leicester, including New Parks, Beaumont Leys, Braunstone, Glenfield, Western Park, Belgrave and the city centre. Its position also makes it convenient for families travelling from Groby, Anstey, Ratby, Kirby Muxloe and other nearby areas.

The crematorium reflects the cultural and religious diversity of Leicester. Both chapels provide flexible, non-denominational spaces, allowing families to include prayers, readings, music and traditions that hold personal significance.

A funeral director will normally arrange the booking and coordinate the necessary paperwork. However, Leicester City Council also allows families to organise an independent funeral without employing a funeral director.

Location and surroundings

Gilroes Crematorium stands within the extensive grounds of Gilroes Cemetery on Groby Road, Leicester. Although the site lies within the city, its mature trees, lawns and memorial areas create a quieter environment away from the surrounding roads.

Gilroes Cemetery and Crematorium share the same entrance and address. Therefore, visitors should check which chapel or part of the grounds they need before travelling.

Easy access from Leicester and surrounding areas

The crematorium is on the north-western side of Leicester, close to the A50 and Leicester’s outer ring road. Its location offers relatively straightforward access from the city centre, the M1 and neighbouring communities.

Families frequently travel to Gilroes from Glenfield, Groby, Anstey, Ratby, Beaumont Leys, Braunstone and New Parks. In addition, the site is accessible from towns and villages elsewhere in Leicestershire.

Public transport serves the wider Groby Road area. However, routes and timetables can change, so visitors should check their journey before the day of the funeral.

Peaceful cemetery grounds

Gilroes Cemetery opened in 1902 and covers a large, established site. Mature planting and extensive lawns give the grounds a traditional character, while designated memorial areas provide places for quiet reflection.

Because Gilroes contains both a working cemetery and a crematorium, visitors may see burial services taking place elsewhere in the grounds. Clear funeral instructions can help mourners reach the correct chapel without delay.

Chapels and funeral facilities

Gilroes Crematorium has two non-denominational chapels. Each offers a dignified setting for Christian, Hindu, Sikh, humanist and other religious or non-religious ceremonies.

Families may choose a formal service led by a minister, priest or other faith representative. Alternatively, a celebrant, relative or friend can lead a personal ceremony. A funeral can include readings, prayers, recorded music, live contributions and a period of quiet reflection.

Chapel capacity at Gilroes Crematorium

Each chapel seats up to 100 mourners. Additional seating is available in the side-chapel viewing rooms, helping the crematorium accommodate larger gatherings.

External speakers can relay the service when attendance exceeds the available indoor space. Nevertheless, families expecting a particularly large funeral should discuss this with the crematorium and their funeral director beforehand.

The two chapels allow the site to hold separate services while retaining a respectful setting for each family. Mourners should confirm whether the funeral will take place in the East Chapel or West Chapel before arriving.

Funeral service times at Gilroes Crematorium

Funeral appointments are available from 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Each booking provides one hour of chapel time, including the arrival and departure of mourners.

This arrangement gives families more time than the shorter appointment periods used by many crematoria. Even so, the funeral ceremony must leave enough time for people to enter and exit the chapel. An additional hour can be booked when a longer service is required.

Saturday morning cremations may also be available on request. These depend on staff availability and usually involve an additional charge.

Music and personal tributes

Families can choose music that reflects the beliefs, personality or interests of the person who has died. The chapel’s digital music system offers access to a broad collection of songs, hymns and instrumental pieces.

A single photograph can remain on the chapel screens during the service. Alternatively, families can arrange a slideshow, a sequence of photographs set to music or a family-produced video.

Visual tributes require preparation before the funeral. Therefore, photographs, videos and music choices must reach the provider by the relevant deadline. The funeral director can explain the available packages, current charges and submission requirements.

Webcasting and funeral recordings

Gilroes Crematorium offers secure webcasting for relatives and friends who cannot attend in person. A camera at the back of the chapel records the ceremony discreetly and streams it through a private online service.

Depending on the chosen package, the webcast may remain available for a limited period after the funeral. Families can also request a digital download, USB memory stick, DVD or other recording keepsake.

Webcasts and recordings usually cost extra. Consequently, families should request them when making the funeral arrangements rather than waiting until the day of the service.

Accessibility and visitor comfort

An induction hearing loop assists mourners who use compatible hearing aids. External speakers also help people follow the ceremony when they need to remain outside the main chapel.

Gilroes Crematorium has a waiting area, public toilets and parking spaces for disabled visitors. Accessible routes connect the principal visitor areas, although anyone with particular mobility needs may wish to contact the office before attending.

Waiting facilities allow mourners to gather before the funeral begins. However, arriving too early can coincide with the previous service. Around ten to fifteen minutes before the stated start time will often provide enough time to park and meet other mourners without creating a lengthy wait.

Parking at Gilroes Crematorium

Gilroes Crematorium has a public car park within the grounds, including designated disabled parking. Drivers enter the site from Groby Road and should follow the internal signs towards the crematorium.

The car park can become busy when a large funeral takes place or when services overlap. Therefore, visitors should allow extra time to park and walk to the chapel.

Mourners sharing transport may find it easier to arrive together. Families expecting a high attendance should also ask their funeral director whether any special arrival arrangements are advisable.

Gardens of Remembrance and memorial options

The Gardens of Remembrance offer families a peaceful place to visit after the cremation. They sit within the wider cemetery grounds and contain several areas for ashes, memorials and quiet reflection.

Families can arrange for cremated remains to be scattered within the grounds. A member of staff can carry out the scattering privately, or relatives can attend an appointment. Ashes from another crematorium may also be accepted, although different charges and documentation requirements apply.

Alternatively, cremated remains can be buried in a dedicated plot or placed within an above-ground memorial vault. The right choice will depend on whether the family wants a permanent resting place, a named memorial or the freedom to keep or scatter the ashes elsewhere.

Books of Remembrance

The Crematorium has Books of Remembrance in the Remembrance Building near the front of the crematorium. The books provide a lasting memorial, with each inscription displayed on its corresponding anniversary date every year.

Families can choose entries of different lengths and may add an emblem. The digital Book of Remembrance allows people to view an inscription online throughout the year and can include additional photographs, a poem or a short biography.

Memorials within the grounds

Memorial choices include plaques, granite vaults, vase tablets, roses, trees and benches. Some memorials can hold cremated remains, while others provide a dedicated place to visit and remember.

Several memorials are offered for a fixed lease period rather than permanently. Families should check the dedication length, renewal arrangements and maintenance conditions before ordering.

The Cemetery also has dedicated cremated-remains plots. These allow ashes to be buried in a named location with an approved memorial.

Attended and unattended cremations

An attended cremation includes the use of a chapel for family and friends. The ceremony may contain music, readings, prayers, photographs and spoken tributes.

Lower-cost attended appointments are normally available during selected morning times. These still provide chapel time but may help families manage the overall cost of the funeral.

An unattended cremation takes place without mourners or a chapel ceremony. Families may choose this option when they prefer to hold a memorial service or celebration of life elsewhere.

Cremation fees generally cover the cremation, essential administration, medical referee charge, environmental surcharge, cremation certificate and a suitable ashes container. An attended fee also includes use of the chapel and the standard music system. Webcasting, elaborate visual tributes and keepsakes normally cost extra.

Because prices change periodically, families should request the latest fee information before confirming their arrangements. A cremation fee will also form only one part of the total funeral cost.

Collecting or scattering cremated remains

Following the cremation, the ashes can be released to the person authorised on the cremation application. A funeral director may collect them on the family’s behalf, or the applicant can arrange collection directly.

Families may keep the ashes, place them in an urn, bury them, scatter them at Gilroes or choose another meaningful location. Permission may be necessary before scattering ashes on land owned by someone else.

Gilroes crematorium can scatter ashes without relatives present at no additional charge when the cremation took place there. Families who wish to attend must make an appointment, and a fee may apply.

The crematorium includes an ashes container within its standard cremation charge. However, decorative urns and keepsakes will cost extra.

Visiting Gilroes Crematorium

The cemetery grounds open daily from 8.00am. Closing times may vary, so visitors planning to view a memorial later in the day should confirm the current hours with Leicester City Council.

Funeral services generally take place between 8.30am and 4.00pm from Monday to Friday. Saturday morning services may be arranged subject to staff availability.

The Remembrance Building allows visitors to view the Books of Remembrance. Those making a special journey may wish to telephone first, particularly on weekends and bank holidays.

Contact details

Address: Gilroes Crematorium, Groby Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 9QG
Telephone: 0116 454 1016
Email: cemeteries@leicester.gov.uk
Service times: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.00pm
Website: You can access the website here

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking at Gilroes Crematorium?

Yes. Gilroes Crematorium has a public car park within the grounds, along with designated disabled parking. The car park can become busy around large funerals, so visitors should arrive in good time.

How long is a funeral service at Gilroes Crematorium?

Bookings provide one hour of chapel time, including the arrival and departure of mourners. Additional chapel time can be booked if the family needs a longer ceremony.

How many people can attend a funeral at Gilroes Crematorium?

Each of the two chapels seats up to 100 people. Further seating is available in the side-chapel viewing rooms, while external speakers can relay the ceremony for larger attendances.

Can a funeral at Gilroes Crematorium be watched online?

Yes. Gilroes Crematorium offers secure live webcasting and funeral recordings. Families can also order digital downloads and physical keepsakes. These services should be arranged through the funeral director before the submission deadline.

Are there toilets at Gilroes Crematorium?

Yes. Public toilets are available at the crematorium. The site also provides disabled parking, accessible facilities, waiting areas and induction hearing loops in the chapels.

Are there any other crematoriums in Leicester?

Yes, there are 3 more in Leicester. They are South Leicester Memorial Park based in Countesthorpe, Loughborough and also Great Glen.