
Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice. The reality is that many cemeteries are no longer the picturesque places of peace and quiet that they once might have been. They are often now surrounded by sprawling developments, with caretakers fighting an endless battle to keep gravesites neat and safe with a minimal budget. Cremation removes some of the anxiety from families about these issues, but it is not a decision all are ready to make.
Cremation can take place in several ways:
You can opt for an attended cremation where a chapel is booked at the crematorium and a time is allocated, usually 30 minutes, for the family to use as they wish. This can be private (i.e. for close family only) or open to the public. A ‘viewing’ of the deceased is possible during this time. The coffin is normally placed at the front of the chapel and the end of the ‘service’ signalled by either the lowering and removal of the coffin, or by simply having the curtains drawn in front of the coffin.
Families often opt for an unattended cremation, especially when there has been a memorial or funeral service held elsewhere. In this scenario the coffin is taken to the crematorium without family being present and cremated at the first available opportunity.
Cremations can be witnessed but this is only for a limited number of people and at specific times of the week. The normal procedure here is that the crematorium staff will explain certain details of the cremation, the coffin will then be placed in the furnace, the door closed and the furnace started. Those in attendance will not be allowed to remain for much longer than this.
In the normal course of events a cremation takes place as soon as a facility (i.e. furnace) becomes available. If however a family wants the cremation to begin at a particular moment a timed cremation can be requested. This needs to be arranged ahead of time and with the approval of the crematorium.
Ashes under normal circumstances become available about 72 hours after a cremation. If however there is an urgency for the ashes (e.g. needed for scattering before a certain day) the Undertaker can apply for priority ashes. In these circumstances the crematorium allocates a specific time for the cremation, preferably early on a particular day. The ashes then either become available on the same day or first thing the following day.
Keep in mind that many of the above options have cost implications.