A CREMATORIUM is flinging open its doors to anyone who has a burning desire to see what goes on behind the scenes.
And ahead of the event its staff have given a fascinating insight into what life is like there - revealing a gallows humour is essential.
James Wilkinson, 51, who has been working at Weston Mill crematorium in Plymouth, Devon, since he was 18, explained: "The worst experience I ever had was my cousin died. I went to his funeral and then I came round the back and cremated him.
"But you can sit in here and listen to the services and get a lump in your throat.
"So you never get immune to it.
"You have to have a weird sense of humour though, but that's behind closed doors.
"When you are out of the limelight you have got to have a release, and that is ours - having a strange sense of humour. If you don't have that you will crack up."
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James said one of the biggest misunderstandings they wanted to quash was that all cremations were done at the end of the day together.
He added: "Some people think we put them all in at the end of the day, but the chamber is only big enough to take one, and they all have a name plate on them.
"Most take about an hour-and-a-half, but we have had one that has taken three hours, as it all depends on the size of the person and the heat.
"Some people also think that the ashes can contaminate, but there is no way they can, because they are all in completely separate compartments where they cannot touch.
"It's just old wives' tales."
James says he has seen a lot of change since he started.
He added: "I've seen four different types of cremators.
"It was all manual when I started, and I'm the last of that generation left now."
During the open day on Saturday, May 13, members of the public will be able to have a guided tour of the crematorium to visit the grounds, and also have the chance to ask questions to members of staff.
Plymouth City Council's bereavement service manager Karen Jennings said: "The open day in May is about dispelling the myths.”
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