Although our visit will be made as informal and gentle as possible, it is still at a crematorium, and we will be faced unequivocally with the stark realities of death. We are very aware that this could be very upsetting for some, especially those that have recently been through a significant bereavement. Our aim is simply to bring you better knowledge and understanding, not to cause further upset. So please do not book if you think it might be too much or too soon. Our guides have a wealth of experience dealing with sensitive situations and will of course be compassionate and mindful when delivering the tour.

We are hoping to arrange further tours throughout the year should you wish to book on a later date.

Feedback from our visit in March 22

·        This visit was really amazing - it was such a powerful session and it was a real privilege to be invited behind the scenes to witness the things that we saw. It was definitely a very unique opportunity to be able to ask questions to a group of professionals in a very safe space so well done all round and to Spice for putting it on.

I can't praise the crematorium staff enough - they made us feel at ease and were so understanding and empathetic they made it clear that we could ask anything at all. What brilliant people. They were well prepared and their professionalism and respect for their roles shone through.

It has definitely changed the way I feel about dying and death and will help me start conversations in my family - I can use what I have learned to open the subject and I might even use the funeral planning checklist we came away with to talk through with my parents.  I no longer get that knot in my stomach when I think about funerals now - literally it has had an overnight effect. I would actually like to come again because I have since thought of more questions. 

·        Really enjoyed the evening, found it absolutely fascinating. Spice host friendly, staff at the crematorium were exceptional at making you feel welcome and at ease. I would definitely book this type of event again as it’s a chance to visit places that you wouldn’t get to see normally. Joining details spot on, the whole evening was very pleasant and informative. 10/10 for the staff, superb.

·        Hi there Last night I was fortunate enough to attend the behind the scenes visit to the crematorium in Cannock. It was a very informative and inspiring visit and the staff there, were so compassionate and professional. The only criticism I have (and it’s not spice or Cannock Crematorium’s fault) was that a lady in the group sneakily took a photo on her mobile phone of the coffin as it was being prepared for the crematory. I found this hideously in appropriate and it stopped me going to the pub after.

·        Really enjoyed this event, it was very well organised and the staff were very passionate and informative about their jobs, which we all know can be a difficult subject to talk about.

·        I found the whole event to be extremely interesting and informative and given the subject matter, it was dealt with in the most respectful and dignified manner.

All the staff/speakers were lovely and were happy to answer any questions that were asked.

I liked the fact we were given a helpful ‘checklist’ at the end of the evening of things to consider regarding our own deaths and I shall be certainly looking at this to make the whole process easier for my loved ones.

·        I was a little apprehensive about attending the Spice event because of the subject content. I needn't have worried. Jo and all the various members of the presentation team really put us at our ease by being warm, friendly, and managed to come across as being light hearted but retained the utmost respect for their profession. 

The Crematorium was easy to find- even in the dark. We were welcomed with tea, coffee hot chocolate and introduced to one of the managers, a local funeral director, Jo herself, and the gentleman that works the Cremator machine. We were split into three groups. Mr O'Malley, a local funeral director talked to us about what services they can provide. Jo talked us through various options that could be chosen for a funeral at their Crematorium. I found it appealing that there is one hour between slots and not the usual half an hour at the council run Crems. Jo was very sensitive and explained that we could leave the tour at any time if we felt overwhelmed and sit in a quiet room. Liam and Dan explained in detail the process of cremation and explained how the cremator works. We were able to see the machine and ask questions. It was a little noisy in the room!

There was no charge for the event but a voluntary donation for Ukraine was encouraged. Afterwards we were invited to have a yummy pork bap and chips for the princely sum of £5 at the Five Ways Inn which was only a 2 minute drive, a fitting end to a most enjoyable evening.

I would thoroughly recommend the experience.

·        I found this event very informative and helped to dispel a lot of myths about cremation. I was made very welcome and Jo the manager of the crematorium was very pleasant and put us all at ease in a very unusual situation.

I would very much recommend this event to anyone who feels they may be able to cope with this event, I myself was apprehensive but now pleased I attended.