09/10/2026
WEYMOUTH CREMATORIUM
Weymouth Crematorium, adjoining Weymouth Cemetery, was opened on 2 June 1939 by Lord Horder. It has since been extended.
At the time of its opening it was recalled that the first crematorium in England was built by Captain John Hanham in the grounds of his home, Manston near Blandford.
At the time only burials were permitted, but Hanham’s late wife and mother had expressed a wish to be cremated. Hanham was refused permission by the Home Secretary Secretary in 1882, but went ahead and built his own crematorium. No action was taken against him and the first public crematorium was opened in 1885.
Soon after Weymouth Crematorium was opened, the Registrar of Crematoria whose office was at the Municipal Offices, decided to go the Crematorium to see how things were settling in. He entered the building through the back door just as a somewhat nervous attendant was easing the lid on a coffin before putting it in the cremator. He greeted the man, who had his back to him, cheerfully and the man promptly passed out!
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