This is us ~ a "work family"

Nene Valley Crematorium's

Bereavement Services Care Team

The team at Nene Valley Crematorium have a bereavement-led approach to everything they do, which includes looking after each other. They see their responsibilities through the eyes of the customer at all times - this being at the heart of every decision that assists in maintaining the evident existence of a high standard of customer care.

Fostering good relationships with Funeral Directors and Ceremony Leaders has proved to be of significant importance and is not only evidenced daily when providing funeral/memorial services together, but also by partnership working on events, like public open days and seasonal remembrance services; where at the forefront of all minds is to provide the right service, at the right time, for the right person - the local community and beyond.

Providing a customer care service over 365 days (24/7) is a clear demonstration of the commitment and dedication of each and every team member, who strive to deliver this unique selling point, locally as a level of service to ensure the public they serve are able to have a fitting funeral/memorial service and/or memorial product that they want, when they want.

All team members are either qualified to the Institute of Crematorium Management (ICCM) standard or working towards this standard, which provides confidence to both the team member (in delivering a high level of customer care) and to the public knowing that theirs's and their loved ones will be accommodated for, with the upmost care and respect.

In their spare time amongst other things the team enjoy all things dogs, eating, drinking and socialising.

Tracy Lawrence

Who? TRACY Lawrence is your Manager and Registrar – to know that those using the service offering at Nene Valley Crematorium are in safe hands, Tracy brings more than thirty years experience in helping bereaved people. Before spending twelve years as Superintendent Registrar for Cemeteries and a Crematorium, she spent five years as an HM Coroners Officer. Tracy is the proud owner of the professions Diploma with Honours, and hopes this, being a qualified civil celebrant, and the UK’s first Superintendent/Registrar Certified Grief Specialist, in some small way further provides confidence and comfort to those using the services at Nene Valley Crematorium.

Responsible for? Tracy is delighted and feels extremely privileged to be responsible for providing such an essential service for the people of Wellingborough, and beyond, since the opening of the crematorium in 2016. Tracy has been instrumental in laying a firm foundation during the past five years, and now looks forward to seeing the business grow further by continuing to maintain and enhance excellent service standards to be proud of. Tracy is fortunate to work with supportive board members (past and present) and an equally supportive team, whose focus, like hers, is to see everything they do through the eyes of those who visit. Tracy, her team and the new directors intend to soon start working on the next chapter of success for the crematorium via the creation of an action plan of priorities for the next two years. Tracy, personally champions all things 'Mentoring' for team members, and together with her team they champion "standards" to meet customer expectation, where possible.

Passionate about? Tracy's focus on serving those who are bereft and educating her team is second to none. Particularly of paramount importance to her is to ensure the provision of a meaningful funeral and/or memorial service is driven by the choices of bereaved people. To do this, Tracy personally mentors her team via a “bereavement-led” ethos, determined for them to always see everything they do through the eyes of a customer; and through continuing professional development, she also plans to continue in training the team to The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management standard.

Continuing Personal/Professional Development? Tracy is currently studying a 'Marketing Opportunities' module to keep her Diploma up-to-date, and further develop other marketing experience/qualification held. Tracy has also enhanced her specialism in supporting bereaved people, by gaining a licence to provide therapy for those stuck in their grief.

Like outside of work? In her spare time Tracy enjoys special grandparenting time... a Madeira ‘bolt hole’, (and future trips to Australia - now that her son is staying there!) eating out, theatre trips, walking her dogs, and a love of shoes – 200 pairs and counting!

Richard Porter

Who? RICHARD oversees the operational area if the services, which encompasses cremations, funerals and the overall cleanliness and tidiness of the building. Richard brings a wealth of experience from the death care profession having worked as a funeral director since; 1996 gaining a significant amount of experience in operational and management roles.

Responsible for? Richard overseas the smooth running of services and supports the efficient operations of the crematory to ensure that legislation and ICCM guidance is strictly adhered to.

Also encompassed within Richard's responsibilities is community engagement, which means that he guides and supports all visitors who visit the crematorium, despite their reason for attending - whether this is to attend a funeral, visit a loved one's final resting place, or simply to look around the facility, and/or to ask questions. Liaising with funeral directors and their ceremony leaders are similarly key elements to focus on to ensure services in the ceremony hall/chapel run smoothly as per their clients wishes. In all situations, Richard endeavours to always make himself available to respond. Richard champions all things 'Community Engagement'.

Passionate about? Richard holds an ethos of treating every person in a manner that he would like his own family to be treated, which has always held him in good stead. Richard is looking forward to contributing towards building an ever-expanding team at Nene Valley crematorium as we strive to enhance the already high standards and levels of customer service.

Continuing Personal/Professional Development? Richard's recent success has been to successfully complete the Crematorium Training Technician Scheme, which means he is qualified to cremate - taking care of your loved ones on their final journey. Richard now looks forward to developing IT skills and gaining next level line management experience and/or qualifications.

Likes outside of work? Richard is married, is the proud father of two daughters, and enjoys all aspects of family life - he can often be found with a paintbrush in hand decorating the house or walking Summa, his Weimaraner dog.

Cameron Menzies

Who? CAMERON is your Gardener, who joined in March 2022. Cameron is experienced in the development and care of gardens within public settings and enjoys the way gardens, plants and nature can connect with people.

Responsible for? Cameron’s role is to focus on horticulture by maintaining the garden and to help develop areas when assisting the Head Gardener; to provide comfort for bereaved people when visiting a calm and peaceful setting, when remembering their loved ones – a place for reflection, to grieve in private and find comfort. Cameron champions all things 'Horticulture'.

Passionate about? Cameron enjoys the way gardens, plants and nature connect with people, and is looking forward to being actively involved in expanding and improving the gardens.

Continuing Personal/Professional Development? TBC

Likes? In his spare time, he enjoys family life with his two young sons and partner and can usually be found in the garden or reading (usually gardening books!) he also enjoys football and supports Chelsea Football Club.

Phill Castree

Who? PHILL is your Operations Assistant – who joined the crematorium team in 2020. Phill brings management experience from working in front lines services within the public and private sectors.

Responsible for? Phill’s core role is within the crematory, where he is proud of his responsibility as a cremator technician, to take care of the deceased - Phill can also be found working in the ceremony hall/chapel when supporting funeral directors and their ceremony leaders. Phill champions all things 'Equality and Diversity'.

Passionate about? Phill is passionate about his strong belief in the right work ethic to deliver an excellent customer service for all visitors, and his colleagues. Phill is equally keen to work closely with managers and peers to develop current service offerings and extend potential to enhance this, for the local community, and beyond.

Continuing Personal/Professional Development? Phill is a qualified cremator technician, and prides himself in always treating bereaved people and the deceased with respect. Phill looks forward to gaining further technical experience and knowledge, coupled with developing his champion role.

Likes outside of work? In his spare time Phill enjoys reading, watching movies and a little baking.