Plans are being unveiled for a new crematorium on the northern edge of Maidenhead that offers a ‘less hurried, more local option’ for grievers.

Windsor and Maidenhead does not have a crematorium of its own, with bereaved residents having to travel to Slough Crematorium or further afield to Amersham.

This usually means a journey of around 35 minutes or more for a funeral cortege – not faring well compared to elsewhere in the country, says the company behind the proposals, Elegy.

More remote choices exist at Reading, Bracknell and on the western edge of London.

Slough crematorium was built in 1963 and allows 30 minutes between each funeral.

The Chilterns in Amersham is similarly aged and is one of the busiest crematoria in the country, holding an average of 3,218 cremations per year – about 13 funerals per day.

Developers are set to consult with residents on plans to build in a secluded spot off Switchback Road North and off Long Lane, Cookham.

The chapel would seat 100 people and hold four funerals per day, spacing out funeral services and offering a ‘less rushed funeral experience’ for loves ones. A minimum of an hour will be allowed for each service.

Elegy is led by Richard Evans, who has more than 30 years’ experience working in bereavement. He said:

“There is an urgent need to provide a new purpose-built crematorium to serve families living in the Maidenhead area.

“Our aim is to relieve pressure on existing facilities and to offer a quieter, more dignified setting for local families to hold a personal service closer to home.”