Douglas Borough Chapel can be found within the grounds of Douglas Borough Cemetery on Glencruthery Road in Douglas. The Cemetery and Chapel opened in 1899 and the first burial took place on 1st June 1899.
The crematorium contained within the Chapel building only opened in 1961. This is the Islands only crematorium. It performed its first cremation on 12th December 1961.
Burials at the Cemetery are now limited to those who own existing graves and consequently the Chapel today mainly hosts services for those who have expressed a wish to be cremated.
The Chapel which has been described as quaint can accommodate 70 people and will host all types of religious or civil funeral services.
'Personal choices of recorded music can be played during the service, or also support live bands or singers to add a personal touch to the funeral service.
Family can choose to erect an engraved bronze plaque at the Garden of Remembrance. In addition, roses and plaques can be purchases to be placed in th graves.
For an everlasting tribute to a loved one, families can submit an entry into the Book of Remembrance. This beautiful leather-bound book has parchment pages that are opened at the corresponding date, every day of the year, for families to visit.
Families can also choose an emblem (a rose or coat of arms) printed next to their loved one’s entry in the Book of Remembrance.'
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Douglas Borough Cemetery & Crematorium can be found on Glencrutchery Road in Upper Douglas opposite the TT Grandstand.
The cemetery opened in 1899 and the first burial took place on 1st June 1899.
The design of the Chapel was the winner of a competition as can be seen from the following newspaper article which appeared in the Isle of Man Times on Saturday, December 19, 1896:
'BOROUGH OF DOUGLAS,
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PUBLIC CEMETERY, --MORTUARY
CHAPEL, &c.
The Corporation of the Borough of
Douglas invite COMPETITIVE PLANS
And DESIGNS for Mortuary Chapel, Front
Wall, Railings and Entrance Gates, in connection
with the new Public Cemetery, Glencrutchery-
road, near Douglas. A sum of Fifteen Pounds
will be awarded as a First Prize, and a sum of
Five Pounds as a Second Prize; the successful
Plans and Designs to become the absolute pro-
perty of the Corporation, to adopt in whole or in
Part as the Corporation may deem necessary or
desirable without further payment to the success-
ful Competitors. Ground Plans ans Sections
may be inspected at any time at the Office of the
Borough Surveyor, and copies of conditions and
instructions to Architects may be obtained on
application to Mr T. G. Taylor, C.E. Borough
Surveyor, on a sum of Five Shillings being de-
posited with the Town Clerk, such sum being
retained by the Council and deemed to be
Forfeited if a bona fide Plan is not submitted
by the depositor, and in the event of a bona fide
competitive Pan being deposited before the
date hereinafter specified; the sum deposited to be
returned to the depositor.
Sealed Plans and Designs, distinguished by a
Motto or nom de plume, which must also be en-
closed in a sealed envelope, with name and
address of Competitor, in order that he may be
identified after adjudication and award, to be
forwarded, addressed to the undersigned, on or
before TUESDAY, the 12th day of January 1897.
THOMAS H. NESBITT
2446 Town Clerk.
The final design of the Chapel is praised in the following newspaper article which appeared in the Manx Sun on Saturday, September 29, 1900:
'THE MORTUARY CHAPEL, NEW BOROUGH CEMETERY, DOUGLAS.
(Black and white photograph of the Douglas Borough Chapel as in appeared in September 1900).The above picture shows the Mortuary Chapel erected in the new cemetery on the Glencruthery Estate, near Douglas. It is a substantial building, without any high pretence to architectural beauty, and reflects credit upon the business capacity of the Cemetery Committee of the Corporation. In fact, the Corporation are sincerely to be commended for what they have done for town in this direction. The walks and planting are laid out with good taste, and the beds of beautiful flowers, and fine foliage during the summertime attracted large numbers of persons. The cemetery contains some twelve acres of land, half of which only has been utilises for present purposes, and the rest devoted to agriculture.
We learn that about sixty graves have already been purchased.'
The crematorium only opened in 1961, following the completion of the necessary alteration to the original Borough chapel. This is the Island's only crematorium. It performed its first cremation on 12th December 1961.
'In late 2014 the crematorium and cemetery underwent a major refurbishment of both the chapel and cemetery paths, with the work being completed in 2016.' (
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Burials at the Cemetery are now limited to those who own existing graves. All new graves are located at the Borough's new Lawn Cemetery on Johnny Watterson's Lane.
Burials can be held during the week between the following hours:
Monday to Thursday: 10.00am to 3.00pm
Friday: 10.00am to 2.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am to 11.00am
Cremations are held on Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays at the following times:
10.00am. 10.45am. 11.30am, 1.15pm and 2.00pm
Within the grounds are the Douglas Borough Cemetery War Memorial which honours the memory of those who gave their lives and are buried in cemeteries and churchyards across the Island.
The Douglas Borough was award eight Green Flags in 2018 by the environmental charity keep Britain Tidy and one of the Green Flags was awarded to the Borough Cemetery.
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