Re-Imagining the Cremation Ceremony

“You think outside the box, you do, don’t you,”

noted the groundsman as he was watching the ceremony take shape. He wasn’t wrong. At Thereafter, that’s essentially what we do best: we listen closely to what a family truly wants, then find a way to make it happen, even when it hasn’t been done quite like that before.

The Brief – ‘a natural cremation ceremony’

This particular family came to us with a clear set of wishes:

• A cremation, rather than a burial
• A setting that felt like the woods or a natural burial ground, with trees, greenery, open air
• Easy access for elderly relatives and guests
• It MUST be easily accessible from London, so the family could visit whenever they liked on public transport

80% of the UK opt for a cremation but all too often, people come to us saying but they don’t what a ‘Cremation Funeral’ – they don’t want ‘That’ funeral’ – The formality of what has become the UK’s traditional funeral is somewhat out dated and no-longer facilitates or satisfies the publics needs. This is evident by the uptake of a direct and unattended cremation.

People do want the calm and beauty of a woodland or natural burial ground, but they also need the practicality of cremation and a location that’s genuinely easy to get to. They also want to be able to take their time, not feel surrounded by other people’s grief in a highly oiled wheel of the ‘conveyor belt’ often associated with crematorium.

Why Golders Green Crematorium Was the Answer

A ‘Woodland Burial Cremation’ is not an easy brief. But from talking this through and guaging the priorities one place came to mind: the memorial gardens at Golders Green Crematorium.

Golders Green is one of the oldest and most respected crematoria in London, and arguably the UK. It’s the city’s original crematorium, opened in 1902, and its Victorian red-brick chapel sits within 12 acres of landscaped gardens, complete with water gardens, mature trees, and quiet, winding paths.

It also happens to tick every box in the brief:

• Central and accessible – right on the Northern line, with level access throughout the gardens, making it genuinely manageable for elderly or less mobile guests
• A cultivated garden with established tress. Not a woodland as such but certainly impressive, peaceful and with open space and right in the heart of our city
• An open-minded team – the people at The London Cremation Company, who run Golders Green, were willing to try something that, as far as we know, hadn’t been done there before

What We Did Differently

Rather than the more familiar route straight to the chapel, we shaped a ceremony that let the gardens themselves do some of the emotional work.

The day began with a waterside ceremony, held in the shade of one of the garden’s beautiful old trees. From there, the family and guests took a walk of reflection through the grounds – a chance to be together, unhurried, before arriving at the chapel for the final farewell and cremation.

It’s a small structural change with a big effect. Instead of one static service, the day had a shape to it: gathering, walking, arriving, saying goodbye. Space to feel the weight of the day, rather than being moved through it.

We believe this was the first time Golders Green’s crematorium and its memorial gardens have been used together in this way for a single ceremony, combining the practicality of cremation with the atmosphere of a natural, outdoor farewell, all within easy reach of central London.

Funerals in a Language We Understand

Funerals are occasions none of us really want to be arranging or attending. But they haven’t always had to feel cold or unfamiliar. We’re living through a moment where more people are looking for genuine meaning, connection, and a sense of humanity in how we say goodbye, not just a fixed script to follow.

Style and tone is something we talk about a lot when it comes to putting a funeral together. Incorporating and entwining simple nuances that make the time we share together, yours. Meaningful. Powerful and we aim to be quite beautiful.

We work to support and allow you to own the space, settle into the space. No rush. No conveyor belt process. Be Present.

Sometimes a chilled refreshment or welcoming cup of tea can be just the right thing for you to arrive into this raw and private space. Sharing in food and drink has always been a wonderful, simple ritual of community. It is the language we understand.

Creative, Collaborative, and Willing to Push Back on “No”

The funeral landscape is changing, and more people now know they have real choices in how a funeral is shaped. But the honest truth is, we often come up against institutional resistance a reflexive “no” from systems and structures that have been set one way for a long time.

We understand why. Deeply embedded processes, and an industry that doesn’t always reward creative effort, can make a different approach feel like more trouble than it’s worth. But when everyone involved is willing to work together, with trust and a genuine “whatever it takes” attitude, the results speak for themselves.

Breaking the mould, with grace, dignity, and respect, is something we’re proud to do.

Thank You

Our heartfelt thanks go to the family who trusted us to create this ceremony, and to the team at Golders Green and The London Cremation Company for their openness and support in making it happen.

Thereafter specialises in tailor-made funerals, creative, accessible, and shaped entirely around what matters to you. We’re proud to be industry disruptors for good, giving families the autonomy to say goodbye in a way that is right for you.

Looking for a alternative, personal and meaningful funeral service? Get in touch with Thereafter to talk through what’s possible for you.