Families are going to have to move funeral services from Dewsbury because the crematorium is to close for repair work.

They will have to use facilities at Huddersfield or in neighbouring areas such as Leeds or Bradford when the crematorium shuts for three weeks.

That is likely to increase pressure on space for services at Huddersfield.

Kirklees Council has confirmed it plans to spend more than £200,000 for the refurbishment work.

But it will entail the crematorium being shut down from October 18 to November 11.

A new central heating system is to be installed and other refurbishment work is to take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium in October ahead of the winter months.

The revamp will include vital maintenance work but will also upgrade the electricity supply and replace or renew roofs.

Clr Cathy Scott, joint Cabinet member for place, said: “The work is an investment in services for the local community and will benefit users of the crematorium.

“As the boiler is being replaced the shutdown period will be used to good effect to complete other vital maintenance work and refurbishment before the winter.

“Completing most of the maintenance work at the same time will limit the amount of disruption in the future.”

She added: “As part of the refurbishment, internal electrical work will allow the installation of a new web-based music system for funeral services.”

Preliminary work will begin on Monday, but this will be carried out in the early morning so as to cause minimum disruption to services and the operation of the crematorium.

The crematorium will be closed for the main work period. The last day of services will be Friday, October 18, and the crematorium will then be closed from October 21 until Monday, November 11.

Plans are in place to accommodate some extra services at Huddersfield Crematorium and nearby crematoria in neighbouring authorities have been advised of the planned closure dates.