Procedures

Cremation procedure

We are able to deal with all forms and certificates required for cremation, with the exception of the green certificate which you will receive from the Registrar at the time of registering the death. We deliver all completed forms to the crematorium on your behalf.

Cremation 1 (Application for Cremation of the Body of a Person Who Has Died) is a statutory document usually completed by the nearest relative or executor of the will. We will help you to complete this when you come in to make arrangements. This document means that you authorise the cremation of the deceased and provides you with the opportunity to raise any concerns you may have regarding the cause of death, should this be the case.

Cremation 4 (Medical Certificate) is completed by the doctor attending the deceased. You are entitled to inspect this certificate, and can arrange to do so by contacting the relevant crematorium directly.

In some circumstances, there are different cremation forms required. The forms mentioned on this page are the most likely to be involved in any cremation. Should the need arise for any other forms to be completed, we will organise this for you. When the Coroner is involved they will issue a Cremation 6 which will take the place of Cremation 4 and the Registrar’s ‘green’ certificate (Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation).

The cremation code of practice is strictly adhered to, particularly with the identification of the coffin which has to bear the deceased’s name. The cremation process is carefully monitored throughout. Only one coffin is cremated at a time and the ashes are carefully removed, labelled and stored before the next cremation can take place. The code also requires that nothing can be removed from the coffin once it has been received at the crematorium, and it must be placed in the cremator exactly as received.

You must decide at least two hours prior to the funeral service beginning whether items of jewellery and personal effects are to be removed. Legally, these cannot be recovered once the coffin has arrived at the crematorium.

Cremated remains

These can be dealt with at the crematorium where there will be facilities for scattering or interring, in addition to a variety of memorials. There may be a family grave where the ashes can be interred. Many churches have facilities for receiving ashes. It may be your wish to hold a Committal Service where the ashes are placed in a grave.

If an immediate decision is not made, the crematorium will hold the ashes, normally making a small charge after a month. Advice can be sought from either ourselves or the crematorium concerning the final resting place for the ashes. We are able to collect the ashes from the crematorium on your behalf, if desired, they are looked after by us until you choose to collect them – at no cost. We will keep in contact with you regarding when you would like to take the ashes away from our premises. We are able to arrange to have ashes transported to you, this is free within 10 miles of our Redhill/Dorking offices and then subject to a mileage fee for any distance further. We are able to provide ashes caskets, urns, scatter tubes, jewellery, keepsakes etc. for all or some of the ashes to be placed in. There are examples on our website and catalogues in all offices. Should you already have something that you wish the ashes to be placed in to, we will do this for you free of charge.

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