Cremation is the most popular method of disposing of bodies in the United Kingdom.
According to the Cremation Society of Great Britain, about 79% of all deaths in the UK are followed by cremation.
The cremation service and process
On arrival at the chapel, the cortege is received by the chapel attendant. They check the name plate on the coffin to a copy of the order for cremation form.
If the coffin plate corresponds with the form, the cortege is received into the chapel where the service will continue. If it doesn’t, the crematorium management will seek advice for the service to continue.
During the service, the curtains will close around the coffin, and it will be transported to the crematory once the mourners have left the chapel. If you prefer, arrangements can be made to leave the curtains open.
Once received into the crematory, the name plate is checked again.
When ready, the coffin is charged in the cremator, by means of an automatic charging machine. The order for cremation form follows the remains through the whole of the cremation process.
An average cremation takes around 90 minutes to complete.
Once complete, the remains are collected in a separate cooling area within the bottom part of the cremator, and the order for cremation form is moved to this area. The remains are cooled for approximately 60 minutes.
The remains are then transferred into a ‘cremulator’ machine, which reduces the remains to a fine ash and separates any metal objects, this being their final state.
The remains are finally transferred into a container, marked with a label recording:
- name
- age
- date of funeral
- cremation number
The container is then stored within the crematorium for up to 4 weeks (or longer, by special arrangement) awaiting disposal.
Only the applicant for the cremation can decide on the final disposal.
Codes of practice
All cremation and burial facilities and services are managed with competence and efficiency, to ensure that the entire bereavement experience occurs without error or insensitivity, and meets the religious, secular, ethnic and cultural needs of the bereaved.
We adhere to the Federation of British Cremation Authorities Code of Cremation Practice.
We also follow the Institute of Cemeteries and Crematorium Management Guiding Principles.
If you want to know more, our frequently asked questions about cremation page has further details.