It’s all about people at Bishopbriggs Crematorium

The team at the brand-new Bishopbriggs Crematorium, to the northeast of Glasgow, are looking forward to meeting and greeting members of the local community when it opens next month.

The crematorium is the fourth location in Scotland to be operated by Westerleigh Group, alongside Borders, Stirlingshire and West Lothian Crematoria.

Westerleigh Group is one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 40 other sites across England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

The group has built its reputation on providing exceptional care to the bereaved, the standards of which are regularly inspected by the Scottish Government and the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA).

Every crematorium in the group looks to work with the bereaved to create uniquely personal funerals for their loved ones.

The support doesn’t end with the funeral, as there are many ways in which Westerleigh Group’s crematoria help people create lasting memorials to those they have lost.

The bereaved and their loved ones at the heart of everything Westerleigh Group does, and the only way in which it can successfully deliver the exceptional care that the group is so proud of is to ensure it employs exceptional people.

The newly-formed team at Bishopbriggs Crematorium are no novices to the profession or Westerleigh Group.

Together, they’ve strength of previous experience of working in the industry and in customer service. They are looking forward to getting to know local families and keen to ensure that the crematorium makes a very positive contribution to local community life.

 

Donnie Connor- Bishopbriggs Crematorium Manager

Donnie joined Westerleigh Group in March 2019 having previously worked long-term in social care. He felt that his knowledge and skills were transferable, and that has proved to be the case.

He has been crematorium manager at Stirlingshire Crematorium from the very first day it opened in 2019 and, more recently a divisional operations manager. With that experience under his belt, he knows exactly how to ensure this brand-new crematorium, and its team, serve the local community in the ‘Westerleigh way’.

Donnie said he is excited to be the first manager of a brand-new crematorium and bringing his insights from Stirlingshire to Bishopbriggs. When he is not working, Donnie is a keen lawn bowler being a tree times champion for Killermont Bowling Club. He also enjoys going on sunshine holidays and weekends away.

 

Lisa Somerville- Crematorium Assistant

Lisa joined Westerleigh Group in October 2023, working as Crematorium Assistant at Stirlingshire Crematorium. She has a customer service background which she says has been a real asset to her work in the funeral sector and a huge benefit in her aim to provide the best possible service to bereaved families.

When she isn’t supporting local families, Lisa can be found in the gym, cycling and eating out.

 

Tam Robertson- Crematorium Assistant

Tam has worked in the building industry for 43 years as a plumber and then manager which has equipped him with many transferable skills, particularly when learning how everything works in the cremating room.

Like Donnie, Tam also has a passion for lawn bowling and has too been a club champion on three occasions. Tam is also involved in semi-pro football administration – right next to the Bishopbriggs site.

 

Heather McFarlane- Crematorium Assistant

Heather joined Westerleigh Group in October 2022 also at Stirlingshire Crematorium, having come from a background in funeral care. She was a funeral arranger for many years, and feels lucky to work in such a caring industry.

Heather’s hobbies include reading, spending time with family and going out for meals.

 

Paul Gorman- Crematorium Assistant

Paul has worked in retail and customer service for most of his working life and brings with him a wealth of customer service skills that will serve him – and the families who turn to Bishopbriggs Crematorium for support – well.

Away from the workplace, Paul has recently renewed his love of art and holidays to Gran Canaria.