FAQs about cremation

In our area, the split is around 74% cremations, 26% burials. Many people, however, choose to have cremated remains buried after the funeral, which are not included in these figures.

Yes. Cremation is forbidden by Orthodox Jews and Muslims. Today, all Christian denominations allow cremation, and it is the normal method for Sikhs, Hindus, Parsees and Buddhists.

No. The cost of cremation is usually considerably cheaper than burial, memorialisation costs are normally also significantly less. 

Read about our fees and costs.

A full religious service may be conducted at the crematorium within the time required for each funeral. Alternatively, a service may take place in a place of worship, followed by a brief ‘’committal‟ ceremony at the crematorium. 

Families can arrange for their own minister to conduct the service or, when required, funeral directors may secure the services of a suitable minister on behalf of the family.

No. A civil ceremony can be conducted or there may be none. A memorial service can also be held separate from the cremation ceremony, by arrangement with the minister concerned or directly with the crematorium.

A full service, where often there has not been a church service prior, is usually of twenty minutes duration, although time should be allowed within this time slot for entering and exiting the chapel. 

This can be extended, in 30 minute time blocks, for an additional charge. Where a committal ceremony only is required, the full 20 minutes chapel allocation time must be booked.

A number of arrangements need to be made following a death, it is wise to approach a funeral director immediately after a death occurs and advise them that you wish to arrange a cremation. You should discuss with them how soon (if possible) you wish the cremation to take place, the type of service you desire and whom you wish to officiate at the service. 

The funeral director will then make all necessary arrangements, including family requirements, and assist in completing necessary forms to be signed by the applicant to the cremation. The death will have to be registered and your funeral director will advise how to do this.

You should be asked how you wish to dispose of the cremated remains. If you know what you want at this stage you will be asked, as the applicant to the cremation, to sign an authority for the crematorium to carry out your wishes. 

If you are undecided, ensure that the box for “temporary deposit” on the order for cremation form is selected. 

The crematorium will write to you after the cremation has taken place, enclosing a leaflet describing the options available to you, and asking for confirmation of your wishes. 

The crematorium allows a period of four weeks for you to make a decision, if necessary, you may ask for this period to be extended if you are still undecided.

The mourners will normally gather at the crematorium a few minutes before the appointed time of the funeral service. 

When the principal mourners are ready to proceed, the coffin will be conveyed into the chapel by the funeral director, unless family bearers are used by request. 

The coffin is placed on the catafalque at the front of the chapel, and mourners will be directed to their seats. 

During the service, curtains close around the coffin and it is received into the crematory once the mourners have left the chapel. If you prefer, the curtains can be left open throughout the funeral service. 

At the end of the service, the mourners leave the chapel and may then view the floral tributes before leaving the crematorium.

The name plate on the coffin is first checked with the order for cremation form to ensure correct identity and other details. 

Where possible the cremation will follow immediately after the service, if this is not possible the coffin is stored for a short time until a cremator is available. 

All cremations must take place within 72 hours of receipt of the coffin at the crematorium in accordance with the code of practice.

Yes. Under no circumstances is the coffin opened once received at the crematorium, the coffin is placed in the cremator just as it is received at the crematorium. 

Cremation regulations require that the coffin and all it's fitting and furnishings be made from materials suitable for cremation. 

The Environmental Protection Act, 1990 requires cremation authorities to ensure that the process is completed under controlled conditions, which minimises the impact on the environment.

Any item included in the coffin for presentation or viewing purposes must be removed by the funeral director before the coffin is received at the crematorium. 

Yes. All items of jewellery should ideally be removed before the coffin leaves for the crematorium, unless the jewellery is specifically meant to be left on the body. 

The funeral director should be advised of your wishes when funeral arrangements are being discussed. It is not possible to recover jewellery after the coffin has been received by the crematorium.

No. Only one coffin is cremated at a time, which is vital to ensure remains are kept separate, each cremator is carefully raked out before re-use. 

The only exception can be where, for example, a mother and small child wish to be cremated together, when a single coffin is used.

Each coffin is identified and the name plate thoroughly checked on arrival. 

The order for cremation form follows the coffin until the coffin is placed into the cremator, the form is then placed on the outside of the cremator and is not removed until the cremated remains are transferred into the cooling area, where the form is again placed with the remains. 

Once the remains have been cooled they are placed into a machine called a cremulator, which reduces them to a fine ash, again the form is placed onto the machine. 

Once the remains are ready they are transferred into a suitable labelled container stating name, age and cremation number with the order for cremation form, and transferred into a storage room. 

At no time during the cremation process does the order for cremation form leave the remains. As each cremator will only accept one coffin at a time, and the remains have to be moved to a separate cooling area within the cremator before another coffin is accepted, cremated remains do not become ‘’mixed’’ at any stage during the cremation process.

The utmost care is taken by all staff to ensure this process is carried out. 

Gwent Crematorium cremates strictly in accordance with the Federation of British Cremation Authorities Code of Cremation Practice, a copy of which is available on request.

The remains are totally bone ash and usually weigh between four and eight pounds. They are in a state which will permit them to be strewn. In the case of an infant, it is not possible to guarantee any tangible remains due to the cartilaginous nature of the body.

Staff who operate the cremators undergo a specific training programme in the use of the cremators, normally this will take up to six months to complete, and covers all aspects of the use and maintenance of the cremators. 

When ready, members of staff undertake an independent examination by the Federation of British Cremation Authorities on all aspects of the cremation process and associated duties. 

Only after successfully completing this stage are members of staff allowed to cremate unsupervised. 

Clear instructions in writing should be given to the person who will be responsible for your funeral when you die. 

Such instructions are not binding in law, so the person instructed should be someone who is likely to carry out your wishes.