FROM My Way to Bat Out Of Hell, in nearly a quarter of century of cremations Alan Jose has seen it all.

But after 24 years as head of Durham Crematorium, the 59-year-old is saying his own final farewells.

On Monday (June 3), the Kent-born superintendent and registrar will take up a new post at Basildon Crematorium, in Essex.

“I’ve absolutely loved my job,” he says.

“I’ve worked with some wonderful colleagues and after such a long time I’m sad to go but it’s a new opportunity and it’s too good to miss.”

Since Durham Crematorium opened next to the cemetery on South Road in August 1960, nearly 100,000 cremations have been conducted.

Previously, people had to travel to either Newcastle or Darlington for cremation.

Mr Jose arrived in 1989, overseeing computerisation, local government reorganisation and a £2.4m upgrade which was completed last year.

A memorial garden has been added and a woodland burial site was recently opened nearby.

But Mr Jose, who lived with his wife Gwen in a bungalow at the crematorium, says the biggest change has been how families have become more demanding about the content of services.

That doesn’t bother him – the satisfaction of the bereaved family has always been his focus, he says.

But it has led to some strange requests down the years.

“Bat Out Of Hell was requested for one service,” he recalls.

“And Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life from Monty Python’s Life of Brian was another.

“But Time To Say Goodbye, Wind Beneath My Wings and My Way are more popular.”

The crematorium’s design echoes Durham Cathedral: its height is inspired by the cathedral’s pillars, its octagonal chapel by the Monks’ Kitchen and the chevrons on its pews by patterns seen in cathedral stonework.

Each year, the money raised from the metal remains of cremation goes to a good cause. This year, £4,300 was donated to the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Trust to buy five new chemotherapy infusion pumps for Shotley Bridge Hospital.