Cremation


CREMATION

Our nearest crematoria are:


Gloucester Crematorium

Gloucester Crematorium chapel

Westerleigh Crematorium

Disposal of Cremated Remains


There are many options for the disposal of cremated remains and some important issues.


Important notice - Crematorium regulations

It is important to note that due to cremation regulations it is the responsibility of the funeral director to ensure that materials used in a cremation will not produce pollution to the environment. This can limit some of the choices available to families for coffins and decoration.


A myth dispelled


It should be noted that cremated remains from all crematoria are NOT mixed up nor any portion thrown away. The cremation facilities are raked clean between each cremation. Crematoria take great care to maintain the identity of the remains from as soon as the coffin arrives at the chapel.


What are cremation forms or doctor’s forms?


Sometimes referred to as “doctor’s forms” for cremation.


They are forms completed by a doctor. Usually the G.P. or doctor who treated the person whilst in hospital. They would normally be the doctor who filled in the medical cause of death certificate. 


They are a more detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the death than the medical cause of death certificate. The doctor have to speak to someone connected with the deceased; normally a relative or someone caring for them. You might get a phone call about this.


There are no cremation forms required when there is a post mortem carried out on behalf of H M Coroner.


Doctors are allowed to charge for the completion of these forms at a rate set by the local authority. There is a charge associated is currently £82, originally set by the British Medical Association.


The form has to be at the crematorium 48 hours before the funeral takes place. It is then examined by another doctor - the Crematorium Medical Examiner. Who will give authority for the cremation to go ahead as long as all the information provided is not conflicted. Since January 2009 you have the right to see the cremation forms at the crematorium (by appointment) where you can ask questions to the Medical Examiner.

Disposal of Cremated Remains


There are many possibilities for the disposal of cremated remains or ashes.


Some thought should be given to what will be done with the cremated remains following the cremation. The crematoria offer scattering and interment facilities where applicable, or they may be scattered or interred in a churchyard or cemetery. Alternatively they may be scattered at any public place. A cremation certificate is issued from the crematoria with the cremated remains and this certificate is needed if ashes are to go to an official place such as a churchyard or cemetery.


It is possible to keep ashes at a private residence but care should be taken that this doesn’t  lead to the creation of an awkward situation especially should property change hands.  Alternatively, the Funeral Director will be able to look after them for you either until you decide what to do, or if they are to be scattered/interred after a partner has died.


Other possibilities for the disposal of ashes:

  • Interred in a sports field of a favourite team
  • Stoked in a fire box of a steam engine
  • Shot out of a firework
  • Spun into a glass paperweight
  • Crushed into diamonds or semi-precious stones
  • Scattered out of a glider/airplane
  • Taken to the outer limits of our atmosphere and dispesed into space via weather balloon.
Ashes into a steam engine