Glasgow Crematorium — Historic Cremation Services in Maryhill

Glasgow Crematorium provides funeral and cremation services within the Western Necropolis Cemetery on Tresta Road in Maryhill. Also known locally as Maryhill, Lambhill or Cadder Crematorium, it has two chapels, modern audiovisual facilities and several distinctive memorial options.

Opened in 1895, Glasgow Crematorium was the first purpose-built crematorium in Scotland. The historic Old Chapel seats 150 mourners, while the New Chapel accommodates up to 50 people for smaller and more intimate funerals.

The crematorium welcomes people of all faiths, beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Families can arrange a religious funeral, a humanist or civil ceremony, a personal celebration of life or a direct cremation.

A caring crematorium serving Glasgow families

Glasgow Crematorium serves families from Maryhill, Lambhill, Cadder, Possilpark, Springburn, Bishopbriggs and communities across the city. Its location also makes it accessible from Bearsden, Milngavie, Kirkintilloch and other parts of Greater Glasgow.

The Scottish Cremation Society owns and operates the crematorium as an independent charitable organisation. Since 1895, the society has promoted accessible cremation services while preserving the character of the historic building.

A minister, priest, faith leader, humanist celebrant or civil celebrant can conduct the funeral. Alternatively, relatives and friends may contribute readings, memories, prayers and music.

A funeral director will normally reserve the service time and submit the statutory cremation paperwork. They can also arrange the coffin, transport, flowers, music, webcast and visual tribute.

Glasgow Crematorium Service Times

You can access information about the diary and service times by clinking this link.

Location and surroundings

Glasgow Crematorium stands within the Western Necropolis Cemetery at 19 Tresta Road in the north of Glasgow. The wider cemetery complex lies between Maryhill, Lambhill and Cadder.

The crematorium is sometimes described as being at the Western Necropolis, Maryhill Crematorium or Lambhill Crematorium. These names generally refer to the same historic venue rather than separate crematoria.

Visitors should not confuse Glasgow Crematorium with the Glasgow Necropolis beside Glasgow Cathedral or with other crematoria elsewhere in the city.

Easy access from surrounding areas

The crematorium is accessible from Maryhill, Springburn, Possilpark, Lambhill and Bishopbriggs. Families also travel from Bearsden, Milngavie, Kirkintilloch and central Glasgow.

Tresta Road provides the main approach to the crematorium. However, the surrounding Western Necropolis, Lambhill Cemetery and St Kentigern’s Cemetery form a large and sometimes confusing complex.

Mourners should check whether the funeral will take place in the Old Chapel or New Chapel before travelling. Clear chapel instructions can prevent delays after entering the grounds.

Public transport serves the wider Maryhill and Lambhill area. Routes and timetables may change, so visitors should check their journey before the funeral.

Historic Western Necropolis setting

The Western Necropolis opened in 1882. Glasgow Crematorium followed in 1895, becoming Scotland’s first crematorium.

Mature trees, historic memorials and established paths surround the building. Although the site remains an active cemetery complex, its size and planting create quieter areas for reflection.

The crematorium occupies a historically important position within the development of cremation in Scotland. Consequently, it combines modern funeral facilities with architecture and memorial features dating from the late Victorian period.

Two funeral chapels

Glasgow Crematorium has two service chapels. Families can choose between them according to the expected attendance, availability and preferred atmosphere.

Both chapels support religious, non-religious and cultural ceremonies. They also provide music, visual tributes, webcasting, accessible entrances and induction hearing loops.

The Old Chapel

The Old Chapel seats up to 150 mourners and suits larger funeral services. Its historic character reflects the crematorium’s Victorian origins.

The chapel provides room for a minister, celebrant, readers and musicians. A traditional or secular organist can also accompany the ceremony.

Because the Old Chapel is the larger of the two, families expecting a substantial attendance should ask their funeral director about its availability.

The New Chapel

The New Chapel seats up to 50 people and offers a more intimate environment for smaller funerals. It has modern audiovisual facilities and an electronic organ.

Families may prefer the New Chapel when the funeral will involve only close relatives and friends. Its smaller capacity can create a more personal atmosphere without leaving large areas of unused seating.

The New Chapel has its own nearby parking area. When no service is taking place there, this car park may sometimes provide additional parking for visitors attending the Old Chapel.

Funeral service times

Standard funeral appointments provide 45 minutes, including the time required for mourners to enter and leave. Families should therefore plan the ceremony to fit comfortably within the available period.

A 90-minute extended appointment is also available. This may help when a funeral includes several readings, a large attendance or religious and cultural customs that require more time.

Cremation services take place:

• Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 3.45pm
• Saturday: 9.00am to noon

The crematorium closes for services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Access to some memorial facilities may remain available on Boxing Day and 2 January.

Music and personalisation

Both chapels use a modern digital music system with an extensive collection of hymns, songs and instrumental pieces. Families can choose music for the entrance, reflection, committal and departure.

Glasgow Crematorium also has experienced resident organists. Traditional hymns and secular organ music can therefore form part of the ceremony when requested.

Families should submit music choices through their funeral director before the relevant deadline. Early selection gives the media team time to source and check each piece.

Photographs and visual tributes

Screens in both chapels can display a single photograph, slideshow or professionally prepared tribute.

A single image may remain visible throughout the funeral. Alternatively, families can combine photographs with music to reflect different stages of the person’s life.

The available choices include simple slideshows, music tributes and themed presentations. A family-produced video can also be shown after the media team has checked its format and quality.

Visual tribute packages have different prices. Families should confirm the cost and submission deadline before choosing an option.

Funeral webcasting and recordings

Both chapels offer secure live webcasting for relatives and friends who cannot attend. This can help people participate when distance, illness or travel difficulties prevent them from reaching Glasgow.

A webcast package may include live viewing and access to the recording for a limited period afterwards. Digital downloads and physical keepsake copies may also be available.

The family receives private viewing details to share with invited guests. Webcasting should be arranged before the funeral, as the crematorium may not retain an unrequested recording.

Accessibility and visitor comfort

Both chapels provide wheelchair access and induction hearing loops. An accessible toilet is located behind the main crematorium building.

An on-site wheelchair may be available for visitors who need assistance. Staff can also help mourners reach the chapel or suitable seating.

Defibrillators are available in both chapel areas, and members of staff receive emergency first-aid training.

Families should tell their funeral director about any specific mobility, hearing or seating requirements. Advance notice allows the crematorium team to prepare suitable assistance.

Tea and coffee

Tea and coffee are available from the reception area near the New Chapel car park. This provides a simple refreshment option for visitors before or after a service.

The reception area is not a complete funeral reception venue. Families wishing to hold a wake will need to arrange a separate location in Glasgow or the surrounding area.

Parking at Glasgow Crematorium

Glasgow Crematorium has two car parks, one serving each chapel area. However, the official information does not publish a fixed number of spaces.

Parking can become limited when a large funeral takes place or services overlap. Visitors should therefore arrive in good time and park carefully.

Drivers should not leave vehicles beside cemetery gates, on narrow internal roads or on grass verges. Poorly positioned vehicles can obstruct funeral processions and other cemetery visitors.

When the New Chapel is not in use, its car park may offer additional space for people attending the Old Chapel. Alternative access to the New Chapel is available through the St Kentigern’s gate on Tresta Road.

Families expecting a high attendance should discuss parking with the crematorium before the funeral. Car sharing may also help where practical.

Gardens of Remembrance and memorial options

Glasgow Crematorium offers several ways to remember someone within its historic grounds. These include the Garden of Reflection, Garden of Remembrance wall tablets, Books of Remembrance and the Columbarium Tower.

Families can visit most memorial facilities throughout the year during the published opening hours. However, access to the Columbarium Tower requires more careful arrangements because of its position above the Old Chapel.

Garden of Reflection and scattering ashes

The Garden of Reflection sits behind the crematorium near the New Chapel. Families can arrange for ashes to be scattered there and may attend the appointment.

A short ceremony can accompany the scattering. Families may also bring fresh flowers, although permanent objects cannot remain in the garden.

Scattering is free when the cremation took place at Glasgow Crematorium. A charge applies when the ashes come from another crematorium.

The scattering service is available throughout the year except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Garden of Remembrance wall tablets

Granite memorial tablets sit on two dedicated walls within the Garden of Remembrance. Gold lettering provides space for a personal inscription.

Families can choose between different tablet sizes. The memorial normally has a fixed lease period, with the option to renew when the initial term ends.

Special sections commemorate people who served during the world wars. These provide a shared place of military remembrance within the garden.

Books of Remembrance

The Books of Remembrance provide lasting written memorials. The relevant page opens each day so that an inscription appears on its chosen anniversary.

A digital version is available online throughout the year. Families can search by name or date and view an entry from home. If you want to search for a particular entry from the Glasgow Crematorium Book of Remembrance then click this link.

The physical Books of Remembrance are available during the memorial-facility opening hours. Last admission takes place 15 minutes before closing.

Columbarium Tower

The historic Columbarium Tower stands above the Old Chapel and provides niches for cremated remains. Marble details, five levels and a stained-glass dome make it one of the crematorium’s most distinctive memorial features.

Niches are offered for a fixed lease period and can be renewed. However, space is limited.

Because access passes through or close to the Old Chapel, the tower is generally available on Sundays or by prior arrangement. Families may hold a small ceremony when placing the ashes.

Attended and direct cremation services

An attended funeral allows relatives and friends to gather in either chapel for music, readings, prayers and personal tributes.

An attended direct cremation provides a brief committal rather than a complete funeral service. Up to ten relatives or friends may attend while a chapel attendant reads words of committal and music plays quietly.

An unattended direct cremation takes place without mourners or a chapel ceremony. The family may then arrange a memorial service or celebration of life elsewhere.

The crematorium also allows families to hire a chapel for a memorial service when the cremation or burial takes place somewhere else.

Fees vary according to the service, length and chosen audiovisual options.

Glasgow crematorium publishes its current prices, but families should confirm the total before booking. You can see their prices here.

The cremation fee forms only one part of the wider funeral cost. A cremation cost calculator can help families understand the likely effect of the funeral director, coffin, transport and personal choices.

Collecting cremated remains

Following the cremation, the ashes can be collected by the applicant, an authorised representative or the funeral director.

Identification may be required at collection. Families should confirm who has authority to receive the cremated remains and when they will be ready.

The ashes are normally provided in a sealed biodegradable container with the cremation certificate. Families may then transfer them to a decorative urn or keepsake if they wish.

Alternatively, relatives can arrange a scattering in the Garden of Reflection or place the ashes within a Columbarium Tower niche.

Memorial opening times

The Book of Remembrance and walled Garden of Remembrance open:

• Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Saturday: 9.00am to 1.00pm
• Sunday: 11.00am to 3.00pm

Last admission is 15 minutes before closing.

The Garden of Reflection beside the New Chapel has unrestricted access. Access arrangements for the Columbarium Tower differ because the entrance is connected to the Old Chapel.

Opening arrangements can change at Christmas and New Year. Visitors should telephone before making a special journey during public holidays.

Contact details

Name: Glasgow Crematorium
Also known as: Maryhill Crematorium, Lambhill Crematorium or Cadder Crematorium
Address: Western Necropolis Cemetery, 19 Tresta Road, Glasgow G23 5AA
Crematorium: 0141 946 2895
Booking and administration office: 0141 886 6644
Email: info@glasgowcrematorium.co.uk
Service times: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.45pm; Saturday, 9.00am to noon
Website: Glasgow Crematorium official website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking at Glasgow Crematorium?

Yes. Glasgow Crematorium has two car parks, although no fixed capacity is currently published. Parking can become limited during large funerals, so visitors should arrive in good time and avoid blocking cemetery gates, internal roads or grass verges.

How many people can attend a funeral at Glasgow Crematorium?

The Old Chapel seats up to 150 mourners. The New Chapel seats up to 50 and provides a more intimate setting. Families should confirm which chapel has been booked before travelling.

How long is a service at Glasgow Crematorium?

A standard funeral appointment lasts 45 minutes, including time to enter and leave the chapel. A 90-minute extended service can be booked when a family needs additional time.

Are there toilets at Glasgow Crematorium?

Yes. An accessible toilet is available behind the main crematorium building. Both chapels also provide wheelchair access, hearing loops and staff assistance.

Can a funeral at Glasgow Crematorium be watched online?

Yes. Both chapels offer secure live webcasting. Families can also arrange recordings, digital downloads and physical keepsake copies. These services should be requested in advance, and additional charges may apply.