Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are the ashes I get back those of my loved one?

Yes. Crematoria take great care to track a person’s identity from the moment a coffin enters the crematorium to when it is cremated, to when the ashes are carefully extracted.

2. Where can I be buried?

• Churchyards if they still have room for burials.
• Cemeteries - municipal/local council or private woodland cemetery
• On your own land, be it a garden or farm. You can be buried on your own land without the need for planning permission but there a number of considerations that you should be aware of. You should contact the Environment Agency, consider future plans for the land, e.g. What would happen if the house was sold, complete the relevant paperwork. A funeral director will be able to help with this.

3. What financial assistance can I get?

If the person responsible for paying the funeral is in receipt of any benefits you may be eligible for a payment from the Social Fund. You will need to speak to your nearest Job Centre Plus who can help you apply.

4. Do you reuse coffins/handles at cremations?

No. The handles are made from material which can be cremated and so are not removed. Coffins are not reused. Reusable coffins do exist but do not offer any significant savings and we do not feel offer any advantages. A solid container of some description must be used for health and safety reasons; a body bag alone is not acceptable.

5. What are “doctor’s fees”?

For cremation two doctors are required to complete cremation forms (Officially “Cremation 2” and “Cremation 3”) to confirm the medical circumstances surrounding the death. A fee, recommended by the British Medical Association, is charged for this which is paid by the funeral director and then charged to the client.