Cremation options
Prices can vary widely between different crematoria, and many have different prices depending on the time of day, for example “off-peak” times earlier in the morning. Weekends tend to be a lot more expensive.
Time allocations for the service can also vary with slots varying from 20mins to 1 hour, but these can also be listed differently with some showing the total chapel time, including the time for people to arrive and leave, and some just showing the actual service time.
If you are using a funeral director, they will be able to provide information about the crematorium options in your local area. If you’re not using a funeral director, crematoria are legally required to publish their prices on their websites, to enable people to compare these easily and make informed choices. You can also call the crematorium office to ask about the options available.
Some crematoria list the prices for a “medical referee” and “environmental levy” separately to the cremation fees, however these are not optional and will be charged for. The medical referee is a senior doctor who attends the crematorium to inspect all medical certificated documents relating to the person who has died. They then give consent for the cremation to take place – without this, the cremation cannot happen. This is arranged by the crematorium.
Direct cremation
Some people want to consider a direct cremation, also known as an unattended cremation. This is where a cremation happens with no formal service or mourners present. Often, people choose to arrange a service or gathering separately to mark the death or celebrate the person’s life.
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Photo credits:
Matej Novosad and RDNE Stock Project on Pexels