What happens at a cremation

What happens at a cremation funeral?

80% of the UK opt for cremation as a funeral choice 

A cremation funeral involves two main parts: the funeral service and the cremation itself.

The cremation service held in a crematorium here’s what you can expect:

The Service: A ceremony is held to honour the departed. This can be religious or non-religious and may include:

• Readings: texts, poems, or other meaningful writings.
• Eulogies: Heartfelt tributes from family and friends about the departed’s life.
• Music: Songs chosen by the family to reflect the departed’s personality or spiritual beliefs
• Viewing (Optional): If desired, the family may opt for an open casket, allowing mourners to pay their respects in person.

Committal: This marks the end of the service and the transition to the cremation process. It can involve lowering the casket (out of sight if at a crematorium) the closing of curtains as symbol of their exit or taking it out of the chapel.

You can choose to have a committal moment to acknowledge the transition, or simply have a quiet space for reflection.

There’s no single “right” way to navigate a cremation funeral. At Thereafter, we’re here to listen to your story, we will guide you with structure and support you in crafting a meaningful goodbye that truly honours the individual.

Following the service, we’ll ensure the cremation process is handled with care and dignity. You may decide to collect the ashes in person – 24/48hrs later. Alternatively we can hand deliver them to you
As standard we provide a sustainable cardboard urn. If you plan to keep the ashes or you may personally select an urn of your choice., these are precious cargo after all.

We can also explore alternative placements for the ashes, like scattering them in a cherished location or planting a memorial tree.