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CremationCremation was developed at the end of the nineteenth century as an answer to cemeteries using up valuable land and has increased in popularity since 1940. Until recently it has been presented as the cheaper and more environmentally friendly option and with the pressure on the country's graveyards, it is still a popular choice, with about 70 per cent of the population choosing cremation. However, there are increasing environmental concerns about the pollutants being released into the atmosphere and cremation costs are rising as new filters are being installed at crematoria. There are about 250 crematoria in the UK and crematoria are run by local authorities, although a number are operated by private companies. No one can be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known and a number of forms, available from the funeral director or crematorium, have to be completed. The Registrar of Births and Deaths will issue an Order for Burial or Cremation, which is a green certificate. This can be given to the funeral director or sent to the crematorium. As soon as the death has been certified, then plans for the funeral can go ahead and provisional bookings can be made at a crematorium, once the attendance of a minister (if required) has been arranged. Crematoria are non-denominational and you are reasonably free to have the type of ceremony you want. Forms Required for Cremation A number of forms, available from the funeral director or crematorium, have to be completed. These are a form A and two doctors' certificates.;
For cremation in Scotland, the certificate of registration of death, issued by the registrar will need to be provided. In addition to the Application for Cremation and two cremation certificates signed by two doctors as above, a third crematorium certificate is required, signed by the medical referee at the crematorium.
Cremation Costs Most cremations cost between £300 to £400, but the average cost of the full funeral is in the region of £1215. When arranging a cremation, the following costs will be incurred; Crematorium Fee - this is the fee paid directly to the crematorium for carrying out the cremation, use of the chapel and the medical referee's fee. These fees vary according to different crematoria and are reviewed and revised annually. EU laws governing emissions from crematoriums during the last ten years have led to most being updated and computerised. Since carbon particles are outlawed, crematorium now emit only invisible gases. Contained within these are dangerous pollutants, including dioxins but most significantly, mercury. Crematoriums are thought to be responsible for approximately one sixth of all UK emissions of mercury, caused by the combustion of dental amalgam, whcih have been linked to birth defects, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis. Atmospheric dioxins, pollutants linked with cancer and other illnesses, and emissions of the chloride and formaldehyde used in the embalming process are also emitted. Cremation costs are set to rise by up to £100 because new filters are now being installed to stop these toxic emissions from vapourised mercury fillings polluting the atmosphere. By 2013, all cremations will be subject to the new levy to fund the installation. Increasingly, due to obvious waste of burning a wooden coffin, more people are using cheaper coffins, often made of chipboard and cardboard. Most funeral director's these days are willing to provide you with a cardboard coffin and they are available to the public direct from the wholesalers from £55 including delivery. Ideally, the clothing of the deceased should be made from natural fabrics. It may not be possible to choose personal items such as football or rugby shirts if these are made of man-made fibres. Cremation Service Crematoria ceremony halls are non-denominational and do not have religious connections. You can have the person conducting the funeral and ceremony of your choice. One of the criticisms of a crematorium service is that most only allocate about 30-40 minutes for a service (although some can be as short as 20 minutes) and this can lead to the feeling of being on a 'conveyor belt'. It may be possible to 'personalise' the service with images of your own faith, pictures of the deceased and even change the seat arrangement to make it more personal (although this may involve increased cost due to the time contraints). Another option is to have a service in say a church, followed by just close family members and friends following on to the crematorium. Usually a small group of mourners are able to witness the coffin entering the cremator by prior arrangement. Cremated Remains When choosing cremation, it is important to consider what to do with the remains. The crematorium will place the cremated remains in an inexpensive container which can be taken away. This will weigh in the region of 2kg (5-7lbs). Many people scatter them in a spot of special significance to the decreased and the family. There is usually no restriction although in theory you should seek the permission of the landowner. Others may choose to scatter or bury them in their own garden, but this option should be considered in the light of possibly moving house and whether you wish cremated remains to be eventually placed together, such as with a husband and wife. Some people wish to place cremated remains in a cemetery or churchyard and you will need to check on the type of container that is acceptable to the location. Most crematoria have their own Gardens of Remembrance, which although not consecrated, are dedicated to the dead of all religions and non-believers. Bereaved people can visit these gardens for some quiet solace and contemplation and memorials in the form of tree or shrub planting may be available. Placement of the remains by either spreading over the garden or burial in the garden is usually free of charge if the cremation took place there. I If no wishes have been expressed, it is the responsibility of the funeral director or crematorium staff to contact the relative before disposal. In the case of babies or very young children there may be no ashes following a cremation. Arrangements can be made for the placing of a memorial plaque at some crematoria, but there may be a charge for erecting one. Memorials in the form of a Book of Remembrance or a memorial plaque may also be available. Cremation Society of Great Britain 2nd Floor Brecon House 16/16a Albion Place Maidstone Kent ME14 5DZ Tel: 01622 688292 cremsoc@aol.com www.cremation.org.uk The Federation of British Cremation Authorities 41 Salisbury Road Carshalton Surrey SM5 3HA Tel/Fax: 020 8669 4521 fbcasec@tiscali.co.uk www.fbca.org.uk |
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