The Gedling Crematorium in Nottinghamshire, has introduced an  ‘immersive experience’ using advanced AV technology. This new service aims to bring warmth and a personal touch to the occasion, making the process more unique and meaningful.

The Westerleigh Group, which owns the crematorium, has worked with AV provider Obitus, to deliver this immersive setup. The experience begins in the waiting room, where mourners can view a gallery of 25 digital frames showcasing images of their loved ones. This visual tribute sets the stage for a more personal and reflective experience as they move into the chapel.

Inside the chapel, personalised visual tributes are projected onto the front wall, creating a backdrop that surrounds the coffin. The system includes ten themed backgrounds—ranging from serene country hills and waterfalls to gentle glimmers and football stadiums—to complement the service.

James Crossland, founder of Obitus, noted, “We launched this project in response to the growing public demand for more personalisation at funerals. It’s taken several years to get to the stage where we’re ready to start using this, but even so, we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible. This is something that will continue to evolve and expand.”

The current system has ten available backgrounds, with plans to increase the variety and capabilities of the technology in the future. The flexible, adaptable nature of the setup means that it can be expanded and customised based on feedback from families, further improving the personalisation of funeral services.

The crematorium and Obitus intend to make the immersive experience as accessible as possible, with plans to extend this technology to other crematoria in the Westerleigh Group.

“While there are ten backgrounds at present, what we’ve got here is essentially a blank canvas with almost endless opportunities moving forward,” Crossland added. “We’re excited to be working with Westerleigh Group to use the latest technology to take funeral services to a new level and plan to continue the development project.”

This project marks a significant step forward in the use of AV technology in creating compassionate, tailored experiences that help families navigate one of life’s most difficult moments.

Find out more here:

obitus.com