The Paisley Woodside Memorial Park and Crematorium located in the West End of Paisley, offers a unique atmosphere and is steeped in local and national history, with its tree-lined pathways, secluded corners and peaceful gardens all combine to make the facility a memorable place both to visit and to celebrate a life.
Woodside Cemetery was laid out in 1845 to a design drawn up by Stewart Murray, curator of Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Situated on a low hill-top position between Woodside House and Ferguslie House, and offering stunning vistas of the surrounding area, the “garden cemetery” extends to just over 20 acres and now incorporates the recently built Martyr’s Church and the adjacent Covenanter Martyrs Memorial.
In 1938 a new, purpose-built crematorium, designed by the well-known local architect James Steel Maitland was completed. At that time, it was regarded as one of the finest buildings of its kind anywhere in the country; it was opened on 28th October 1938 by the Rt, Hon. Lord Salveson, due to its heritage it has now been given listed status.
The Crematorium has three gardens of remembrance:
Old Garden
The Old Garden is immediately adjacent to the crematorium and is the original Garden of Remembrance. The Garden is open every day of the year and contains the open-air flower court where the floral tributes are placed daily following each cremation service. There are several rose beds where fresh cut flowers can be placed and there are also several benches should you wish to sit in quiet reflection.
New Garden
The New Garden can be found as you make your way past the Crematorium on the left-hand side situated behind a black iron gate. This walled Garden was created in the early 1970’s and is the most visited garden at Woodside. Here you will find the Cloisters which house the very popular Cloister Memorial Plaques there are also memorial benches in the Cloisters should you wish to sit and spend some time in peaceful contemplation. Fresh cut flowers can be placed in the Garden and there are vases provided for your convenience.
Woodland Garden
This Garden was opened in Autumn 2016 and can be accessed via a stairway in the New Garden. This Woodland setting is a tranquil place for you to spend some time thinking of your loved ones. Fresh cut flowers can be placed in one of the many rose beds and there are benches should you wish to rest in this calming area. Here you will also find a Memorial Sculpture dedicated to Baby and Infant Loss. Paisley Cemetery Company commissioned local sculptor Robert Coia to design and create a fitting memorial and the sculpture was installed in November 2017.
The chapel seats 95 people, it has the potential to stand and seat 200 by including the foyer space and can accommodate services of over 300 people on the site by piping the service outside under the porte-cochere. It may be used for cremation, burial or memorial services. Parking for 60 vehicles is also available with overflow capacity for around an additional 40 places.
Within the chapel there is a hearing loop to assist those with hearing difficulties; a Obitus media system, which downloads music from anywhere in the world via the internet; an organ to accompany those wishing to sing hymns; a public address system; two plasma televisions for pre-recorded eulogies or silent photographic presentations during the service and web cam facilities for internet viewing for those unable to attend a service.
A funeral service may be a religious commitment to whichever faith. It may not be. Either way, for the bereaved family and friends it is a very sad and deeply personal experience. Therefore, it is essential that on the day they feel that they have the chapel to themselves and are not merely part of a tragic conveyor belt.
Service times are available at 1-hour intervals and can be extended upon request. Services can also be booked outside of normal hours and at weekends.