The first stage of plans for massive works on Whitley Bay Crematorium have been submitted to North Tyneside Council.
More than £1.5m is set to be spent on overhauling the crematorium after the council's cabinet rubber stamped the project last month.
Now, plans to replace the two existing cremators, the systems used to incinerate dead bodies, with one larger 'mercury abatement' cremator have been lodged with the authority.
A design and access statement states that changing standards means the machinery has to be replaced.
It said: "To meet the required standards of emission control, sophisticated mechanical services plant is required – which occupies approximately as much space as the cremators themselves.
"Initial consideration by NTC Bereavement Services in liaison with their current equipment provider has identified that the current two cremators can be replaced with one new machine."
The council also wants to build a new vehicle exit in the cemetery to create a one-way system for traffic.
Meanwhile, a new car park with 17 spaces would be built on what is currently the "groundsman's compound' with a small building to be pulled down to make space for this.
The book of remembrance would be moved to an empty building near the main entrance and minor refurbishment work will be carried out on the toilets.
North Tyneside Council is expected to decide on the application in February.
