Members of the council’s environmental committee will be asked to set the ball rolling on an upgrade which the local authority says will safeguard the crematorium’s future.

The work is the first major upgrade to the Crematorium building since it opened in 1962, and will give an opportunity to reconsider the internal layout of the building to make it easier for funeral attendees to enter and leave the building for services.

A meeting place will be created to give visitors somewhere private to speak with staff confidentially. The work will also include an overhaul of the building’s electrics and central heating system, as well as new mercury abatement technology to help meet industry standards.

The refurbishment is being planned in a way that ensures that cremations can continue to be held at the Crematorium although the chapel itself will not be available for a period.

Councillor Alan Grant, convener of the environment committee, said: “I am pleased to see the proposals for the planned works. As the only Crematorium in Perth and Kinross, it is important to ensure that the proposed refurbishment can be carried out in a way which allows cremations to continue during the upgrade of the building. Crematorium staff have already begun to engage with local funeral directors to ensure that they are aware of the proposals and to discuss alternative options for holding services in Perth. By working together with funeral directors the refurbishments can take place with the minimum of disruption and inconvenience.

“This major investment work will help to secure Perth Crematorium for the people of Perth and Kinross into the future. It’s a clear statement of the Council’s commitment to ensuring that the Crematorium provides a comforting environment during what is a difficult time.”

If approved, the work is expected to go ahead during summer 2017.

Last week, the development management committee approved plans to build a road through land on the edge of the crematorium as part of a wider project.