“We believe it will provide local families with a wider choice of funeral services. “Prior to Sirhowy Valley Crematorium opening, the nearest alternatives were all more than 10 miles away, and journeys take more than 30 minutes in a funeral cortege. “We are pleased to be able to offer a facility that will significantly reduce this travel time, improving the experience for the bereaved and ensuring that their time can be fully focused on the funeral service itself.” Jon Deacon, a former funeral director who is the site manager at the new crematorium, said: “I am proud to be the first site manager at Sirhowy Valley Crematorium and I am looking forward to serving our local communities at the time when they’re experiencing exceptional levels of pain and heartache from losing a loved one.