Doctors’ Fees
In order for a cremation to take place, the medical referee covering the crematorium will need either a set of cremation forms completed by two doctors or a Certificate from a HM Coroner, filled out as part of a post mortem.
Service
The service can take place either at the crematorium or in a place of worship. In both cases the committal takes place at the crematorium.
A religious service takes place at a place of worship and usually includes a sermon and readings by a minister or other religious person.
A non-religious service takes place at the crematorium or other non-religious building. The service may include hymns and prayers but does not include a sermon or readings. Bradbury Funeral Directors can help you with the choice of hymns and music.
A humanist service focuses on the life of the deceased, and there is no religious content at all.
Curtains
You have the choice of having the curtains closed during the committal part of the service or having the curtains left open. It is more common to have the curtains closed.
Ashes
There are three options for the scattering of the ashes of the deceased. The first option is to have the ashes scattered by the crematorium. The second is an attended scattering, which is carried out by the crematorium in the presence of family and/or friends. A minister can be present at an attended scattering – fees would be payable direct to the minister. In both attended and non-attended scatterings, the law stipulates that the ashes must be scattered within the crematorium grounds. The final option is retention of the ashes for the family and/or friends.
Coffin Contents
The rules regarding items that can and cannot be placed in the coffin are stricter for cremations than burials. It is common for relatives to ask to place additional items in the coffin with the deceased. It is not possible to place any items containing metal, liquid or glass in the coffin. Pacemakers must be removed before a cremation can take place. If you need further information please ask.
