Category: Construction
Work progresses on modern facility designed to support families and essential services
Construction of Northamptonshire’s new public mortuary has reached a major milestone, with the steel frame now complete at the Riverside Business Park site in Northampton. Due for completion in autumn 2025, the new facility is being delivered by Stepnell on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council.
To mark this important step in the build, a ‘golden bolt’ event was held on site, celebrating the structural completion with partners and stakeholders. The symbolic moment recognised the collaborative efforts of all involved in bringing this essential facility to life.
Purpose-built to deliver the highest standards of dignity, care, and efficiency, the new mortuary will provide much-needed improvements to post-mortem services across the region. Once complete, the facility will offer faster support to bereaved families, funeral directors, and healthcare professionals by bringing services together under one roof.
The mortuary has been designed with sensitivity and functionality in mind. It will include private viewing and identification rooms to ensure families have access to calm, respectful spaces during some of life’s most difficult moments. The centralised location and integrated service model will also reduce travel requirements and streamline processes for key professionals.
Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council, said:
“Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things any of us will ever face. We want families to feel supported, respected and cared for every step of the way. Now that the structure is in place, we’re one step closer to providing a modern, respectful facility that will better serve families and professionals across Northamptonshire.”
In addition to improving day-to-day services, the new mortuary will provide greater resilience for major incidents, enabling Northamptonshire to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency involving multiple casualties.
Adrian Barnes, Director at Stepnell, said:
“Reaching this stage is a significant milestone, and we’re proud to be delivering a facility that will make such an important difference to families and frontline services. With the steel frame complete, the building’s shape is now clear, and we’re progressing well towards the next phase.”
This project reflects Stepnell’s commitment to delivering high-quality, sensitive public infrastructure that meets the needs of communities across the UK.
📎 To follow project updates, visit the West Northamptonshire Council website.
