New £30M Integrated Mortuary Opens at Foresterhill Site

A new integrated mortuary has now opened at the Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen. 

The purpose-built £30 million facility brings together services provided by NHS Grampian, Aberdeen City Council, Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the University of Aberdeen. It replaces two out-dated facilities previously run by Aberdeen City Council in the city centre and NHS Grampian at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, uniting teams from Foresterhill and Queen Street on one purpose-designed site. Funding has come from NHS Grampian, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council, and Scottish Government. 

Designed with dignity, respect, and compassion at its core, the new mortuary provides private spaces for families—including viewing and identification rooms—and offers a calmer, more supportive environment at what is often a very difficult time. 

Alan Wilson, Executive Director of Infrastructure & Sustainability at NHS Grampian, said: “This is a much needed and significant improvement. It’s a better environment for bereaved families, for our staff, and for the wider team we work with every day. The co-location of services also means we can work more closely and effectively together, ensuring families receive a more seamless and responsive service.” 

Ishbel Gall, NHS Grampian’s Mortuary Manager, added: “Our team is proud to work in this new facility. It offers a respectful and dignified environment for families and a modern, efficient space for staff. The improved layout and shared working environment make a real difference to the care we can provide.” 

Laura Skaife-Knight, NHS Grampian Chief Executive, said: “The facility reflects the very best of partnership and collaborative working across our region. Thank you to all partners for their vital contributions and to all concerned for getting us to this stage. This impressive new facility will strengthen our ability to support families with the highest levels of dignity and care when they need us most.” 

The building is energy-efficient and designed to meet Net Zero standards. Solar panels, air-source heating, and low-energy systems will reduce both running costs and environmental impact. 

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The new mortuary will provide families with a more private and dignified place to visit. It is a building that is fit for purpose, works for staff, and improves educational facilities.”  

Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard added: “We welcome the contribution from the Scottish Government toward the project for this innovative pathology learning facility in Scotland and with a design and construction meeting our ambition of a net zero carbon facility.” 

Cllr Anne Stirling, Co-leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said, "The development of this new facility represents a significant partnership programme across a number of sectors, coming together in the best and most dignified way for residents and communities. It is important that this has been built with an eye to the future."  

Cllr Stewart Adams, co-leader, said: "Being in a position to have a purpose-built facility like this feels respectful, and will also be a huge opportunity for education and development. I am aware from partners that this breaks down a number of barriers previously faced in this area of work, which can only be a good thing for families and loved ones."   

Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson added: “Moray Council is proud to have contributed to this important facility, which will provide dignity, care, and support for families during the most difficult of times. Our involvement reflects our commitment to ensuring that essential services are available for our communities when they need them most.” 

Its single-site layout enables professionals from different organisations to collaborate more closely than ever, improving coordination and decision-making. Clearer signage has also been introduced to make visits more accessible for families and partner agencies. 

Project Director Manju Patel said: “The integrated mortuary development is an excellent example of a multi-partner collaborative approach delivering the multi-purpose needs of all partners.” 

The building has been designed with futureproofing in mind, ensuring it can meet the needs of a growing population in the years ahead. It includes capacity to expand in the event of a major incident, with provision for temporary storage if required. 

While this facility represents a significant step forward, NHS Grampian and its partners recognise that some challenges remain. Work continues with the Crown Office and external partners to address post-mortem arrangements and ensure timely, sensitive service delivery for families. 

Phil McDowell, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “It has been a privilege to deliver this important facility in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian. From the outset, our focus was on creating a space that is respectful and compassionate and offers comfort to families during some of their most difficult moments. We’re proud to have played a part in shaping an environment that not only enhances collaboration across multiple services but also places care and respect at its heart.” 

This modern facility reflects a shared commitment to dignity, compassion, and collaborative working—placing families at the centre of every decision.