WORK is underway to build a new state-of-the-art funeral home in Laindon transforming a “site in disrepair”.

The project by long-standing family business, T Cribb and Sons, will convert an empty building in Basildon Drive that has been derelict for several years.

Funeral conductor, Joe Harris, revealed the funeral home “aims to offer personalised services to accommodate all budgets”.

This includes traditional full-service funerals, as well as smaller, family gatherings followed by a private cremation.

Mr Harris said: “We are excited and delighted to now be starting the build after many hold-ups and are well underway laying the foundations.

“We offer families both traditional full-service funerals as well as a more simple family gathering followed by a private cremation, accommodating all budgets at this difficult time.

“We are here to help and guide you through what is right for you and your loved ones.”

The building will be a “modern facility with a traditional brick exterior” and ample parking for visitors.

Mr Harris is hoping that the project will move forward rapidly.

He added: “We are aiming for the end of the year, we hope to hold an open day so people can tour the building and see behind the scenes of a funeral home.

“We noticed we were looking after families from Laindon and surrounding area from the Pitsea branch of T Cribb & Sons.

“We had been looking for a few years and when the plot came up we believed it could be turned into a peaceful funeral home to serve the community and surrounding area.”

Plans were approved back in October 2022 by Basildon Council. There had been “many hold-ups” to getting work underway, but the foundations are now being laid.

Established in 1881 by Thomas Cribb, this family-run funeral directors has worked across Essex and in London.