The Cremation Society of Great Britain

THE FEDERATION OF BRITISH CREMATION AUTHORITIES
  
CODE OF CREMATION PRACTICE
(Revised, probably in 1962 or 1963. An editorial in (1963) 6(2) Resurgam 1 refers to the "new" Code of Practice and the text below is taken from a copy of the Report of the Executive Committee of the FBCA for the year ended 31 December 1968 in the Cremation Society's Archives (CRE/P/2E Box 2))
 
(Displayed on the Cremation Society's website by kind permission of the FBCA)

1. CONDUCT
The cremation of a human body is a highly emotional occasion for those taking part in the service. This must never be forgotten by the officials of the Crematorium, who must combine to create and maintain an atmosphere of reverence and respect throughout the entire proceedings.

2. STAFF
The greatest care must be taken in the appointment of members of the Crematorium staff, any one of whom may, by conduct or demeanour, detract from the atmosphere of reverence which it is endeavoured to create. When an appointment is made, preference should be given to certificated applicants. In addition, it should be realised that the wrong type of man is capable of comment outside the Crematorium which can bring the Crematorium and Cremation into disrepute.

3. AFTER COMMITTAL
(a) A body shall not be removed from the Crematorium after the Service of Committal except for a lawful purpose.
(b) On the day when the Committal service takes place, provided the necessary Authority to Cremate has been received, the coffin and its contents shall be put into the cremator exactly as they have been received on the catafalque, and cremated.
(c) Once a coffin, with its contents, has been placed in the cremator it shall not be touched or interfered with until the process of cremation is completed. On completion the whole of the Cremated Remains shall be collected and, following their reduction, shall be disposed of according to instructions received.

4. CORRECT IDENTITY
(a) No coffin shall be accepted at any crematorium unless it bears adequate particulars of the identity of the deceased person therein.
(b) Every care must be taken to ensure correct identification throughout the whole proceedings from the moment the coffin is received on to the catafalque until the final disposal of the Ashes.

5. SEPARATELY CREMATED
Each coffin given to the care of the Cremation Authority shall be cremated separately.

6. PRECIOUS METALS
Any precious metal found amongst the Cremated Remains shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Cremation Authority or Higher Authority.

7. ASHES - CARE TO BE TAKEN
The utmost care shall be taken to ensure that the Ashes resulting from each cremation shall be kept separate. Following their removal from the cremator, the Ashes shall be reduced and placed in a separate container whilst awaiting final disposal. If the Ashes are to be strewn on the Garden of Remembrance, the ceremony shall be conducted with the greatest reverence and respect and in such a manner as not to leave the Ashes visible. When the Ashes are to be sent by rail or through the post, specially constructed containers shall be provided for this purpose, suitably labelled, and dealt with according to Recommendations laid down by the Federation of British Cremation Authorities in their special leaflet on this subject. Cremation Authorities shall ensure, by Regulation, that Ashes leaving their Crematorium always do so in a suitable type of container.

8. MECHANICAL APPARATUS
Cremators and all other mechanical apparatus used in the Crematorium shall be kept in good repair, and regularly overhauled and cleaned to ensure their being kept in perfect working order, and to prevent friction noises which will distract or disturb the mourners. Special attention shall be paid to mechanical devices which are particularly prone to develop imperfections.

Every gas-fired cremator must be fitted with a solenoid valve safety device in order to reduce the possible risk of explosion when lighting up.

9. STATUTORY REGULATIONS
All cremations shall be carried out according to the provisions of the Cremation Acts 1902 and 1952 or any amendments and the Regulations made thereunder, or under the appropriate statutory provisions and regulations applicable to the area in which a Crematorium is situate and, in those places where it is applicable, no cremation shall take place except on the written authority of the Medical Referee.