Plans to expand the mortuary at a Darlington funeral business to help combat delays to services have been approved.
Whitehouse Funeral Service, on West Auckland Road, is set to build a two-storey extension to increase capacity.
It follows families facing longer waits for funeral services due to changes in the medical examiner process, which were introduced in 2024.
John Whitehouse said: "Due to changes in the Medical Examiner process and the delays they are creating, families are facing longer waiting times before funerals can take place, which is causing more distress when it isn’t needed.
"To ensure we continue providing the highest standards of care, dignity, and comfort, we are extending and improving our facilities at our Darlington branch."
Mr Whitehouse explained the extended mortuary will "increase our capacity and allow us to better support families who place their trust in us".
It comes a year after The Northern Echo revealed families in Darlington were waiting up to six weeks to say goodbye to their loved ones after a change in the process of registering a death.
One family said their father was unable to have his traditional family service, because delays meant he would be 'unrecognisable' in an open casket.
“Because of this, we couldn't have an open coffin for him - he is the only one for generations that couldn't observe the traditions of his heritage and was robbed of his final wish,” a family member said at the time.
The approved extension will also involve internal alterations, offering more storage and mortuary space.
Recommended reading
-
Crunch meeting for controversial plans for café near historic monument
-
Plans to open holiday lets in Bishop Auckland market approved
-
Investigation launched after removal of tree in County Durham village
For more notices affecting YOUR area, visit our Public Notice Portal - Public Notices from The Northern Echo
Floorspace will grow by 107 square metres under the new plans, and no parking spaces will be lost during the extension work.
Matching bricks, tiles, and windows will ensure the external design aligns with the original building.
No objections were raised from the Highways, Ecology, Environmental Health, or Arboricultural Officers, and plans were given permission by Darlington Borough Council on February 18.
Share