What happens at a cremation service?
Cremations are a popular choice for funeral arrangements in the UK. But what happens at a cremation service and how does it differ from other funerals?
Below is a guide to what happens at a cremation service, things to consider when deciding if you want a burial or cremation, as well as answers to some of the most asked questions about planning a cremation funeral.
Please be warned, the following blog post will provide a factual and detailed account of the cremation and embalming processes.
What is cremation?
Cremation is a process that uses intense heat to turn the remains of a person who has died into ashes. ‘Cremation is the most popular choice today,’ says Daniel Howells, a Co-op Funeral Service Manager, supported by the fact that nearly 87% of the funerals we have arranged this year at Co-op have been cremation services.
Cremations are often more cost-effective than funerals with burials. Choosing a cremation also gives someone the chance to create a special memorial item, such as a piece of jewellery, from the ashes, which can bring comfort years after the funeral.
Before the cremation service
Cremation services are usually held before the body is cremated. The funeral director will often meet the family at their home with the hearse and any limousines, and they'll be driven to the crematorium for the service. Alternatively, the family may decide to meet the funeral procession at the crematorium.
During the cremation service
A cremation service is similar to other funeral services, in that the service can follow a religious ritual or it can be personalised by the family.
At the cremation service, either pallbearers or the loved ones of the person that died will lift the coffin and walk into the crematorium, or a wheeled bier may be used to do this.
The family can decide whether they want the guests to stand outside or wait inside, before the coffin enters the crematorium. However, in some cases the coffin will already be present and not carried in.
Typically, the family will follow the coffin into the venue and be seated at the front.
An officiant will lead the cremation service, which usually includes readings, eulogies and music. These can be chosen by the family.
Some crematoriums have curtains. Closing these curtains can indicate the end of the service, however this is the family's choice. It is at this time when the coffin is taken to be cremated.
If the cremation service is being held at a different location before the crematorium, at the end of the service, the coffin will be taken to the hearse, and the funeral procession will go to the crematorium for the committal.
Ideas for the cremation service
At Co-op Funeralcare, we believe every funeral we carry out – be a burial or cremation – should be bespoke and unique to the individual. Here are some ideas for what you might like to include in the cremation service:
- Place a framed photo of the person who has died at the front of the service
- Play music that was enjoyed by the person who died before and after the service
- Read poems or excerpts from a favourite book or verse
- Depending on availability, live-stream the cremation service for people who cannot attend (there may be an additional cost for this)
- Again, depending on availability, video streaming at crematoria
In many crematoria, there are video streaming facilities available for those that cannot attend the service in person. Check with your funeral director to see if this option is available in your local crematorium.
After the cremation service
After the cremation service finishes, the family will often leave the crematorium first. In some cases, the family may decide they want to stay for a few moments of private reflection afterwards or may arrange to have a memorial placed in some way.
Family members may line up outside the door to greet people as they leave the service. There might be a wake or social gathering planned for after the cremation service - these further plans will be up to the family to decide.
If the family chose to use limousines, the funeral director can take them on to the wake, or back to their home.
Your choice – cremation or burial?
You may have already made your choice but if not, there are several different points to consider for each option. We take a look at what’s involved with burial and cremation to help you make the best, most personal decision.
Cremation vs burial cost
Cost can be an important factor for many people when planning a funeral.
On average, cremation costs £3,795 and burial costs £5,077* – although both figures are significantly lower when comparing direct cremation (£1,498) and direct burial (£1,657). Cremation is usually cheaper because you don’t have to pay for the burial plot. Even if you purchase a small plot to bury a loved one’s ashes, this will be cheaper than buying a grave plot.
*SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024
Any religious considerations?
Some religions do not permit cremation, while others don’t allow burials. For example, Judaism asks that bodies are buried as soon as possible, while Hindus are usually cremated. Islam forbids cremation, but Sikhs believe cremation helps ‘free’ the soul from the body.
Most families will know what their religion requires when someone dies, but talk to your faith leaders if you’re not sure.
Remembering a loved one
Your choice may also be affected by how you want to remember your loved one. Some people prefer to go and visit a grave, as having a permanent physical location can be comforting. But others prefer cremation; if a family is spread out across the country or around the world, it may be tough knowing you cannot go and visit their grave as easily.
Cremation also allows you to use your loved one’s ashes in a number of ways. You can scatter them in their favourite hiking spot*, keep them in an urn, or add a small amount to keepsakes or memorial jewellery. These smaller items can also be shared among family and friends, so more than one person gets to keep part of their loved one close.
*If you plan on scattering ashes on public or private grounds, you need to get permission to do so beforehand.
Find out more about arranging a cremation.
Frequently asked questions
The cremation process may be the least familiar part of a funeral. Unlike a burial, it usually occurs away from the family and guests. And although it’s become very common, most people still know very little about the process. To help you understand the cremation process better, our Co-op Funeralcare experts will answer some of your most asked questions.
A cremation service usually lasts 45 minutes. A longer time slot can be arranged if needed, but note that crematoriums can be very busy - there are usually funerals taking place one after another.
Co-op Funeralcare offer a range of memorial options, you don’t have to have arranged a funeral with us to buy any of our memorial products.
The most common form of memorial at a cremation is an entry in the Book of Remembrance. This will involve a written entry with the name of the person who has died under the date of the cremation. These are usually permanent memorials, kept safe in the crematorium for family to visit if they wish. Check with your crematorium about the possibility for an entry in the Book of Remembrance.
Alternatively, you might be able to have a memorial plaque placed at the crematorium. Not all crematoriums will have this option, so check with your funeral director.
Otherwise, you may prefer to place a memorial where you bury or scatter the ashes of your loved one, either in a cemetery or in other land like parks or gardens.
Before the cremation, the family may choose to put personal items into the coffin. Items that are allowed in the coffin before cremation include:
- wooden rosary beads
- soft toys or blankets
- written messages or cards
- flowers
- jewellery
- books
Anything that is in the coffin that cannot be cremated will be taken out and returned to the family after the cremation. If you're unsure whether an item is allowed, your local funeral director will be able to help and advise you.
The body is cleaned, and any fluids are removed if embalming is chosen, which helps to preserve the body tissues. The body is then dressed in either their own clothes or a gown and held in a mortuary facility, which has a cooling system to preserve the body while awaiting cremation.
Cremation takes approximately an hour and a half. This depends on cremation temperatures, the size of the person that has died and coffin material.
The cremation furnace temperature ranges between 1000-1300 degrees Celsius.
No, individuals must be cremated separately under UK law.
Yes, the coffin is placed in the cremation chamber with the person that has died and is burnt during the cremation.
Easily perishable items like books, flowers and photographs can be cremated with your loved one. Large amounts of metal (small pieces of jewellery are fine), glass, plastic, or leather cannot be cremated. Shoes often need to be removed before cremation for this reason.
Prior to a cremation, jewellery and items such as any medical devices and artificial limbs are removed and returned to the family to avoid any reactions in the cremation chamber. ‘If you wish to keep jewellery with your loved one, this will be cremated along with them,’ says Daniel.
After death, the person that has died is taken directly to the crematorium for an unattended cremation, with no funeral service or ceremony beforehand.
Cremations take up less space as human remains are reduced to just a few pounds of ash and can be stored in a biodegradable urn. However, fossil fuels are used to fire a crematory furnace, so the process does have an environmental impact.
They can weigh between 1.5-4kg.
Most ashes are odourless, however some people say they have a metallic or incense-like smell.
‘No, however we do have a courier team who can transfer ashes to your nearest Co-op Funeralcare,’ says Daniel. It’s possible to courier ashes internationally, but it can be complicated to arrange as it is often prohibited by some shipment companies and ashes are a restricted item in some countries. It is best to contact the consulate of the country you’re shipping to find out their requirements. The government's website has more information about sending ashes.
