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Many of us are familiar with the idea of cremation, but for those who’ve never attended a service, the question of what happens at a cremation still remains. While each funeral is unique to the deceased and their families, all cremations will have some similarities.

Here are the answers to your most common questions about what happens before, during, and after the cremation process. Get in touch with us to arrange a funeral for your loved one.

What happens at a cremation service?

Attending a cremation service can be an emotional experience, and it's natural to have questions about what happens during this process.

We explain what happens at a cremation service and during the cremation itself.

You'll also find some ideas about what to include as part of the cremation service as well as more information about unattended cremation which offers an alternative to holding a cremation service.

The cremation service step-by-step

When it comes to the service itself, both cremation and burial are similar. Events usually proceed according to an order of service which is put together by the person arranging the funeral.

Here’s a simple step-by-step summary of what to expect.

The coffin containing the deceased is usually present at a cremation or burial service. There may be a procession in which the coffin is carried into the service by pallbearers. Alternatively, the coffin may already be in place at the front of the chapel or other service location as the mourners enter.

Some services include a moment for the mourners to approach the coffin, letting people say their goodbyes.

During the service, time is dedicated to remembering the deceased's life and celebrating their unique qualities. There might be readings, prayers and eulogies shared by loved ones. Music, whether live or recorded, is often played, adding to the personal and meaningful nature of the service.

When the service is complete, some crematoria draw curtains around the coffin as the mourners depart. Once the mourners have all left the chapel, the crematorium staff will respectfully begin the cremation of the deceased, away from the view of their loved ones.

The body is respectfully placed in a cremation chamber, where it is exposed to high temperatures, reducing it to ashes over a few hours. It is sometimes possible for immediate family to view the cremation at their request, although most people prefer to leave following the service.

At a burial, attendees (typically just close friends and family) are invited to attend the interment of the coffin after the service and witness the coffin being placed into the ground.

After the cremation, the remains, now in the form of ashes, are carefully collected and placed in an urn or a temporary container. The family then receives the ashes, which can be kept, scattered, or placed in a memorial site according to the wishes of the deceased or the preferences of the family.

If you’ve chosen to have an unattended direct cremation, the deceased will be cremated without a service. This is a fuss-free cremation option for those who want a simple cremation without a ceremony.

How long is a cremation service?

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Most cremation services last somewhere between 15 and 45 minutes. For some, a simple 15-minute send-off with time for reflection and a few words from a family member or a friend is more than enough. For others, a full service with hymns, readings, prayers and eulogies can extend the service time.

At Distinct Cremations, our two low cost cremation with service options include either a 10-minute service for up to 8 attendees or a 20-minute service for up to 20 attendees.

The service time can also be affected by whether or not the individual being cremated was religious, with certain ceremonies and traditions being observed before the cremation. For example, you can expect a humanist service to be shorter than a Catholic service.

Cremation service ideas

There is no right or wrong way to hold a cremation service. The most important thing is to create a space where you and your loved ones can find comfort, share memories and celebrate the life of the person you’ve lost in a way that feels personal and true to their spirit.

Planning a cremation service can be a deeply meaningful experience, but we understand that it can also be emotionally tough. So, here are some cremation service ideas you can use for inspiration.

Memorial ceremony

Organise a memorial service at a place that holds special meaning to your loved one, such as a park, beach, or family home. Invite friends and family to share stories, read poems, or perform music that was significant to the deceased.

Personalised urns

Choose or design an urn that reflects the personality and interests of your loved one. There are many options available, from traditional styles to custom designs that can incorporate elements such as photos, favourite colours, or symbols.

Plant a memorial tree

Consider planting a tree in memory of your loved one. Memorial trees can be a beautiful and lasting tribute that provides a place for reflection and remembrance over the years. Our Go Greener funeral add-on includes tree planting to help combat climate change.

Scattering ceremony

Plan a scattering ceremony in a location that was meaningful to the deceased, such as a favourite hiking trail, lake, or garden. This provides a serene and personal way to say goodbye, with family and friends sharing memories as the ashes are scattered.

Virtual memorial

For those who cannot attend in person, consider hosting a virtual memorial service, to allow friends and family from afar to participate, share memories, and offer their condolences.

Celebration of life

Instead of a traditional service, you might choose to host a celebration of life. Your celebration could be a more casual gathering with music, food, and activities that reflect your loved one’s passions and hobbies.

Keepsake jewellery

Create keepsake jewellery, such as necklaces or bracelets, that can hold a small portion of the ashes. This can be a comforting way for close family members to keep their loved one close.

Charitable donations

Encourage guests to make funeral donations to charity or a cause that was important to your loved one in lieu of flowers, helping create a lasting impact and honour their values and passions.

If you need more support or guidance, you may find it helpful to reach out to a funeral celebrant or a grief counsellor. They can provide additional ideas and help you through this difficult time.

The cremation process - How does a cremation work?

People often wonder what happens at a cremation behind the scenes. Cremation works by burning the remains of the deceased at high temperatures in specialised units called cremators.

Preparation

First, the body is carefully prepared for cremation. This involves placing the deceased in a sturdy coffin designed for the cremation process, which is typically made of wood or another combustible material and is chosen to ensure both dignity and safety.

Cremation

To start the cremation process, the coffin is committed to the cremator. The chamber is heated to temperatures which can exceed 1000 degrees Celsius. The intense heat reduces the body to its basic elements over a period of one to three hours.

Processing

Once the cremation is complete, the remains are carefully collected from the chamber, and any metals from the coffin are removed. These fragments are then processed into a fine, sand-like consistency using a machine called a cremulator.

Once the ashes have been processed so that they are uniform and suitable for scattering, burying or keeping, they are placed into a temporary ashes container or funeral urn, depending on the family's wishes.

How long does the cremation process take?

One of the most common questions around what happens at a funeral is ‘how long does a cremation take?’ Using modern methods, a typical cremation only takes between one and three hours.

Once the cremation has taken place, either the crematorium or the funeral provider that organised the funeral will let you know.

What happens to the ashes after the cremation?

After the cremation, there are a few different options for what to do with the ashes. You can choose what feels right for your loved one and your family.

  • You can keep the ashes in a suitable urn in your home or garden. Long-lasting urns are available in many materials including wood, stone and ceramic. They are designed to last and be passed down through the generations.
  • You can have the ashes scattered at the crematorium. All of our 40 crematoriums have a tranquil and natural garden of remembrance for scattering which is professionally maintained year-round.
  • You can scatter the ashes somewhere meaningful to your loved one. You may wish to bring family and friends together to witness the scattering and have a shared moment of remembrance for your loved one.
  • You can bury the ashes which is also known as interment. Ashes may be buried either in a suitable container or poured directly into the ground as a way to naturally return them to the earth.

Get in touch with us on 01543212000 to find out more about our options for attended ashes scattering or interment services.

Arrange a funeral

If you need to arrange a funeral today contact us now and our specialists will guide you through the cremation process and make all the arrangements on your behalf.

If you would like a basic low-cost cremation that involves no funeral service, then a direct cremation is the right choice for you. Alternatively, choose an attended cremation which enables a small number of attendees to come together and say goodbye to their loved one.

Call us on 01543212000

Do you have to have a service at a cremation?

The choice to have a service at a cremation is entirely up to you and your family. Whether you choose a cremation with or without a service can depend on many factors, including financial ones.

If you prefer, you can opt for a direct cremation, which is a straightforward, simpler and more affordable option that maintains care and respect for the deceased. At a direct cremation, the body is cremated without a formal service or ceremony beforehand. This option can provide peace and simplicity for those who prefer a more private or less traditional approach.

At Distinct Cremations, you can have an unattended cremation service for a loved one who has passed away. Or if you would like a direct cremation for yourself or someone else in future, we also offer our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan.

Unattended Cremation

From £1,399

Our Unattended Cremation is a great choice for those looking for a simple, low-cost unattended cremation without a funeral ceremony. Unattended cremations take place with no service or mourners present at our high-quality crematoria where dignified care is guaranteed throughout.

Unattended Direct Cremation Plan

From £1,899 or £19.79* per month

Celebrate a life without the restrictions of a funeral. Choose our simple and dignified unattended cremation ahead of time and pay in advance. Our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan is our cheapest funeral plan with no formal service or attendees present.

* Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,374.80 and includes administration fees.

Other useful resources

See our guidance to support and inform you when making arrangements for a loved one who has died. Our patient, experienced and caring Customer Service Specialists are on the other end of the phone 24/7 to help you arrange a funeral. Just call us on 01543212000.

Documents you need to arrange a funeral

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A necessary part of arranging a funeral is to fill out the right legal paperwork. Knowing what you need to do can feel overwhelming. Find out about the funeral documents required and how we can help you with them.

Funeral documents

Personalising a funeral service

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From music and hymns to poems and readings, there are many ways a funeral service can be tailored to your loved one's beliefs, interests and personality. See our guidance on the ways you can make a funeral personal.

Personalising a funeral

Get a FREE funeral plans guide

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If you're anticipating the death of a loved one or you're thinking ahead about your own funeral wishes, a funeral plan may be right for you. Get a free guide about our options for planning and paying for a funeral in advance.

Request a guide

What our customers say about us

We offer the highest level of support, but don't just take our word for it. Below are recent reviews from customers who bought a funeral with us.

4.9/5
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Anonymous, on Feefo 10 Dec 2024
Very informative helpful staff it has taken us a few months to consider a funeral plan and now feel that we have chosen wisely.
Anonymous, on Feefo 10 Dec 2024
As I'm not dead yet I don't know how it will go. I had good service when I book it. Everything was so easy. Maybe when I have tried the server I will give a new review.
Yvonne Selsby, on Feefo 9 Dec 2024
VERY EASY AND VERY POLITE PEOPLE
Mary Louise Henson, on Feefo 8 Dec 2024
We would recommend to use this company, so easy to do and no stress. They talk you through everything and always happy to go the extra mile for you. Kerry was amazing, she kept in regular contact and make the whole progress less stressful. On the day it was perfect everything we had asked for.
Anonymous, on Feefo 5 Dec 2024
Nothing too much trouble when answering questions about my plan over the phone, really helpful.
Belinda Jane Baker, on Feefo 4 Dec 2024
Distinct Cremations were friendly, compassionate and easy to talk to from the very first phone call. Maxine and Dan made the whole experience less traumatic for me and helped me every step of the way with such empathy and great communication, Maxine was so warm, welcoming and really was my safety net throughout the whole experience of cremating my lovely father. I will be using this service again because of the level of care and attention and because it was so important to me to be led each step of the way and be truly supported by their staff. The staff really do go above and beyond with such compassion and I will always be grateful to them for holding space and allowing me to feel my emotions throughout the whole experience.
Anonymous, on Feefo 4 Dec 2024
The help and support that I received from Grace was amazing , she was so kind and kept me informed throughout .
Andy Rudd, on Google 2 Dec 2024
From the moment my Dad passed away, the communication and arrangements where first class. Everything was handled with the utmost professionalism. I would personally like to thank Maxine for her kindness and assistance, she certainly made the sad process far more easier to manage than it maybe would have been. I have no hesitation in recommending the services that Distinct Cremations provide.
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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