Coffee Cabin opens at Taunton Deane Crematorium

People attending funerals will be able to pause for a moment at The Coffee Cabin, which welcomed its first customers yesterday (Monday).

Members of the public will also be able to grab a drink and a slice of cake at the premises off Wellington New Road.

Owner Jayne White got the idea for the venture from her son, Charlie, a funeral director in the town.

Mrs White said: "Charlie came home one day last year and said, 'There's going to be a café at the crem'.

"I rang them up. They said there was no café there, but I could open one if I wanted to.

"I wasn't sure, but I spoke to a few friends who said, 'Yes, you can do it'."

She was offered the use of an temporary overflow waiting room used during a refit of the crematorium.

As there was no water connection and other facilities, another building was added on by builders and plumbers.

Mrs White took charge of the interior decoration of the café herself and there is also outside seating.

She said: "I've never done anything like this before. I planned everything online and the first day was really busy.

"It's going to be predominantly for people attending funerals and visiting graves, but anybody can just turn up any time.

"The builders and plumbers like it so much they're going to meet up here every Friday.

"You can't see the funerals taking place from the café, so it doesn't intrude.

"You could be anywhere. I'm really proud of it."

The Coffee Cabin is not the only business running in the grounds of the crematorium - Stems of Taunton flower shop also operates there.