Photo of the crematorium in 1976

Comments about this page

• Over the past two years, I have noticed a decline in the quality of the roses in the memorial area, and the changing of knowledgeable staff who knew how to look after the thousands of roses – some of which, people have paid £1500 each for – to a staff who know nothing about tending roses. Is this the way forward? I have been in horticulture for 35 years and the roses are disgusting and a disgrace to the dead.

  By David Dreyer (09/03/2008)

• I agree with David Dreyer regarding the disgraceful state of the memorial roses. Recently I complained to the office as the rose bush to my late husband”s memory was on it’s last legs as it had been there 36 years. It has now been replaced. On my last visit on 24th June, I found my other memorial on the rockery had been taken over by weeds and the enormous shrub near by. With my friends help we removed loads of weeds and cut back the shrub. I saw a young gardener working and showed him, he was very pleasent and said he never realized the memorial was even there.  Looking around the place it is in a poor state and has been for a very long time. It is not the first time I’ve complained, it was at one time kept immaculate but it went down hill after being taken over. It only looks good where the eye can see.

  By Barbara Tregellis (11/07/2008)

• In January 1967, as an 18 year old girl, I watched my father’s ashes scattered at The Downs Crematorium, at the foot of a beautiful pink rose tree. I believe my paternal grandfather’s half-blood first cousin, the Brighton architect John L Denman, designed the buildings at the Crematorium.  So altogether I am sad to think the place is in decline, and the once beautiful roses are so scruffy and neglected. I must admit, the last time I went to a funeral there, I couldn’t help thinking how run-down the whole place looked.  Where is the dignity and respect for the dead?   How sad.

  By Pavilionlass (01/02/2014)