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Cremation is recognised by Public Health Authorities as the most hygienic method of disposal of the dead and most major towns in this country have a crematorium. The total number operating today is 246 and there are numerous schemes for new crematoria presently under consideration. In the last year for which figures are available (2000) approximately 437,600 cremations took place in this country, which represents 70.9% of all funerals.
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Cremation should normally be less expensive than burial because there is no grave or headstone to purchase and maintain. Although the funeral director's charges are much the same for both services, in the case of cremation, when a death has not been referred to a coroner, a charge will be made by the doctors completing the two medical certificates which are required before cremation can take place. These certificates are described in greater detail under the section How to Arrange for Cremation.
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Cremation has no religious significance and therefore its adoption does not conflict with Christian doctrine. Today all Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, allow cremation. Since the ban on cremation was lifted by the Pope on 5th July, 1963, it is estimated that in excess of 250,000 Roman Catholics have been cremated in this country. From September 1966 it has been permissible for Roman Catholic priests to conduct the cremation service at a crematorium. Crematoria now operate in Belfast and Dublin. The Society's publication "May Catholics Choose Cremation?" is an invaluable guide for those Catholics wishing to know the Roman Catholic Church's position.
Crematorium chapels are not consecrated but are usually dedicated. At the opening ceremony of a new crematorium, it is usual for the service to be conducted jointly by representatives from the Anglican Church, the Free Churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
At some crematoria it is possible to have a Liberal Jewish service conducted by a Rabbi. Whilst cremation is forbidden by Orthodox Jews and Muslims, it is the usual method of disposal of the dead for Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists.
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The service for cremation is the same as that for burial, apart from the form of committal sentences, and the fact that the service may take place in one's own church or chapel followed by a short committal service in the crematorium chapel. Alternatively, the whole service may be conducted in the crematorium chapel and, on average, usually lasts approximately 20 minutes. However this can be as long as you wish by prior arrangement, although an extra charge is likely to be required. Simply advise the funeral director. You may arrange for your own minister to take the service. The form of service should be arranged with the minister and if hymns are to be sung at a crematorium, the organist should be advised in advance. Although most people choose to have a religious service, it is not necessary. Those wishing to have a non-religious service may obtain details from the National Secular Society, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL. Tel: 020 7404 3126.
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On the day of the funeral the coffin is usually brought into the chapel followed by the mourners in procession whilst the minister may read the funeral sentences. Alternatively the mourners will already be in the chapel but would be asked to rise when the coffin enters the chapel. While it is being placed on the catafalque, the mourners take their seats and the service proceeds. At the moment when the committal words are spoken the coffin may be obscured from view by means of curtains closing round the catafalque, or the coffin may be withdrawn through a gateway or it may be lowered from the catafalque and descend into a committal room below. It can also remain in view for mourners to pay their respects as they leave the chapel. The method varies at each crematorium but the most common method today is the use of curtains. Remember however that if you have a specific requirement you should inform the Funeral Director. At the end of the service mourners leave the chapel and may inspect the floral tributes before departing.
After the committal service, the coffin is withdrawn into a committal room where the name plate on the coffin is checked with the cremation order to ensure correct identity. The coffin is then labelled with a card prepared by the crematorium giving all the relevant information. This card will accompany the body from now on until the final disposal of the cremated remains.
Where possible the cremation will follow immediately after the service. The Code of Cremation Practice requires that the cremation shall, wherever possible, take place on the same day as the cremation service.
Without exception the coffin is always cremated with the body. The Code of Practice requires that nothing must be removed from the coffin after it has been received from the chapel and it must be placed in the cremator exactly as received. It is normally permissible for up to two relatives to witness the committal of the coffin into the cremator. However, if this is desired, the Superintendent should be advised in advance of this wish.
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As already explained, each coffin is identified on arrival and the identity card is placed on the outside of the cremator as soon as the coffin is placed in it. The card stays there until the ashes are removed and it is then transferred to the cooling tray. The ashes then go to the preparation area and the card stays with them, finally being placed in the urn with the prepared remains. As each cremator will only accept one coffin and the ashes must be withdrawn before the cremator is used again, all cremation ashes are kept separate throughout the process. The size of the cremator is approximately 7ft long by 2ft 6ins wide by 2ft 3ins high.
When the cremation process is complete, the cremation ashes are withdrawn from the cremator and any ferrous material is removed. The remains are then reduced to a fine white ash. These are now totally bone ash and normally weigh between 5lb and 7lb. They are now in a state which will permit them to be strewn.
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Regulations require that all coffin fittings shall be of combustible material and normally the handles and name plate are made of hard plastic. Ferrous nails and screws do not burn and stay with the ashes until they are withdrawn from the cremator, when they are then removed.
The temperature at which a modern cremator operates (between 850 c - 1200 c) is such that metals are fused with other material so that they are not recognisable. The Code of Practice states that: "Any metal found amongst the cremated remains shall not be salvaged for any purpose but shall be disposed of in aggregate in accordance with the directions of the Cremation Authority or Higher Authority".
It is suggested that all items of jewellery be removed from the body after death unless it is specifically intended that such items should be cremated. Once the coffin has been placed in the chapel there is no way of recovering such items.
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The gardens of remembrance consist of areas set aside for the disposal of cremated remains. Usually these areas have been dedicated for the purpose by representatives of the Christian churches. Ashes may be strewn or buried but without any spot being reserved by any one person because the areas are used again and again over the years and will be for as long as the crematorium is in operation.
In the majority of cases the cremation ashes are strewn or buried in the gardens of remembrance. Some crematoria have niches where urns may be placed but these are usually on a rental basis and if not renewed periodically the ashes would be strewn or buried. The alternative is to remove the cremation ashes from the crematorium in a suitable urn for disposal elsewhere. This may be by burial in a family grave or by strewing the ashes at another crematorium or in some favourite spot. However, it must be borne in mind that when ashes are strewn in other places, e.g. graves, churchyards etc, prior permission must be sought and any local rules or regulations obeyed. You do not have to have the ashes disposed of and, if desired, you may keep them personally.
Usually the only permanent form of memorial available is an entry in the Book of Remembrance. This book is usually displayed in a special Memorial Chapel and each day the entries for that day are on display so that a person is remembered on the anniversary of the death. Some crematoria allow wall plaques or plaques on kerbstones etc, but these are usually for a limited period and require to be renewed periodically by further payments. At some crematoria it is also possible to dedicate a rose bush or other garden item with a small plaque, but this again is for a limited period with the option of renewal on further payment. Also, some crematoria are able to accept donations of such items as seats, stained glass windows etc, where a memorial inscription may be permitted, while others have memorial funds to which relatives can make donations and the monies are used to provide additional embellishments for the grounds or buildings.
Forms of memorialising are constantly evolved in order to meet the needs of the bereaved and crematoria offer a much wider range of memorial than in the past. If you are anxious about memorial facilities at the crematorium you should enquire of the funeral director at the time of making the arrangements in order to ascertain what facilities are available. This can avoid disappointment at a later date.
Never hesitate to visit or contact your local crematorium where the staff will be happy to answer any queries that you may have. The Superintendent will always be pleased to discuss any particular matter with you, although it is advisable to make an appointment to see him.
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First of all, call in a funeral director and instruct him that cremation is desired. He will be fully conversant with all the necessary procedures and will notify the crematorium of the date and time required and, in addition, will also obtain the necessary forms, as follows:
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Application form 'A'
This constitutes a request by the executor, near relative or person authorised to act in that capacity, to the cremation authority to cremate the remains of the deceased person.
At this stage you will probably be asked how you wish to dispose of the cremation ashes. If you are certain how you want them disposed of, you will be asked to sign an authority for the crematorium to carry out your wishes. If you are undecided DO NOT sign any authority. Most crematoria will retain cremation ashes for a sufficient length of time to enable you to make a decision, but in any case the law requires the cremation authority to give 14 days notice of their intention to dispose of the ashes.
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Medical Certificates 'B' and 'C'
There are two medical certificates required. Form 'B' must be filled in and signed by the doctor who attended the deceased during his or her last illness, and he must certify the fact and the cause of death. Form 'C' is the confirmatory certificate, which must be signed by a second independent doctor, of not less than five years' standing, who must also certify the fact and cause of death. Both doctors must see the body. With effect from 1st April 2001 the minimum fee recommended by the British Medical Association for the completion of each form is £44.50.
These two medical certificates, along with application Form 'A' and the usual certificate of Registry of Death (obtained from the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths of the district in which death occurred) are then submitted to the Medical Referee of the cremation authority who has to satisfy himself that the forms are in order before issuing his certificate authorising the cremation to take place.
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Coroner's Inquiry
In cases where a coroner's inquiry is held, it is important to notify the coroner that cremation is desired. If the coroner agrees he will issue a certificate in Form 'E' which along with Application Form 'A' is submitted to the Medical Referee and in such cases renders a certificate for cremation from the Registrar of Deaths unnecessary, and medical certificates 'B' and 'C' are not required. All funeral directors are fully conversant with the above procedure.
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