Co-op Funeralcare officially opens £2.8m care centre in Leeds

Co-op Funeralcare has revealed that it welcomed members of the community to a multi-denominational dedication service for the official opening of its new £2.8m care centre in Leeds.

Councillor Eileen Taylor, who officially cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque to mark the centre open, was joined by other community members including officials from the National Association of Funeral Directors, bereavement groups, charities, local GPs, registrars, hospice leaders and Co-op colleagues.

Loved ones in the region will be taken to the care centre, which is located in Cross Green, to receive the services they or their family have requested, before being taken back to their local funeral home to rest until it is time for their funeral to take place.

As well as having additional ritual washing rooms so that cultural traditions and practises can be carried out in a private and modern environment, the centre also acts as an educational centre for those taking part in the funeral provider’s embalming apprenticeship.

It is just one of Co-op’s three UK locations to offer such educational facilities in addition to Reading and Edinburgh.

Helen Chandler, head of operations at Co-op Funeralcare’s central division, said: “We are delighted that our new care centre has been so warmly welcomed by the wider community in and around Leeds.

“We are very proud that our colleagues will be able to provide loved ones from many diverse communities with sector-leading care in a dignified and private setting. We are also committed to fostering and developing the next generation of embalmers who will be able to develop specialist skills here in Leeds.”