Cremations

How is cremation arranged?

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Normally this would be arranged by an executor or the next of kin to the deceased either through a Funeral Director or directly with the crematorium should families wish to arrange a funeral themselves.

Application forms

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New application forms for cremation are now available (to be used for funerals booked on or after the 6 April, 2018). These forms can be completed on the computer but a hard copy is required along with the other necessary documentation.

Are there any religious groups which forbid cremation?

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Both Orthodox Jews and Muslims do not cremate.

Is cremation more expensive than burial?

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In general burial costs are higher however in addition to the cremation fee there are fees payable for medical certificates. These additional fees are not payable when the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal (in Scotland) issues a certificate. Even with these additional fees cremation tends to be less expensive.

What service arrangements are available at a cremation?

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Services can be of any type much as in a burial the only difference being the committal is in the Crematorium Chapel, not at the graveside. The main service can be held either in the Crematorium Chapel or elsewhere and the content can be whatever the family considers appropriate.

Does a decision need to be made at the time of arrangement for the disposal of the cremated remains?

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Either the Funeral Director or the Crematorium (should arrangements be made directly with them) would discuss the options available. We will hold the cremated remains free of charge for 28 days allowing a decision to be reached. If we do not receive further instruction, the cremated remains will then be laid to rest in the Garden of Remembrance and the location recorded. 

What are the options for disposal of cremated remains?

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Cremated remains can be interred in the lawns of the Gardens of Remembrance or strewn in the Woodland Walk. Alternatively they can be placed in an existing grave in a cemetery or a cremated remains plot may be purchased in which the remains can be interred. Should none of these options be appropriate the cremated remains can be collected from the crematorium and disposed of elsewhere.

What is a Garden of Remembrance?

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Gardens of Remembrance are special areas set aside for the interment of cremated remains. They are continually used for this purpose and because of this it is not always possible to identify the exact area in which an individual set of remains were placed.

What memorial facilities are available?

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Memorial vases may be placed around the kerbs in the gardens of remembrance and are available on a 10 year lease system. There is also the facility to place an entry in the book of remembrance. Where cremated remains are interred in private plots a headstone may be obtained from a monumental mason.

What happens on the day?

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Upon arrival at the Crematorium you will proceed into the chapel you can either follow the coffin or the coffin can be placed in the chapel prior to your arrival. Alternatively you may be seated prior to the coffin entering the chapel. The service of your choice will then commence.

What happens to the coffin after committal?

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At the conclusion of the service after you have exited the chapel the coffin will be committed to the cremator.

Can relatives witness the coffin going into the cremator?

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Yes, this can be arranged if you ask at the time of booking the funeral.

Is the coffin cremated with the body?

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Yes, it would be impossible to place a body into a cremator without it being in a rigid container.

Can more than one body be cremated in a cremator at the same time?

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The only time this would occur would be for a mother and infant or twin children.

Should items of jewellery be left on the deceased?

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Although items can be left on the deceased it is advisable to remove them, as they are not recoverable after cremation.

What procedures are followed to ensure you get only the deceased's cremated remains back?

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An identity card is issued for every cremation which stays with the coffin throughout the whole cremation process.

What happens to cremated remains after cremation?

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Once the cremation process has completed the remains are withdrawn from the cremator and placed in a cremulator to reduce them to a fine granular consistency. They are then disposed of according to the instructions given by the applicant for cremation.

What quantity of cremated remains can I expect to get back?

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The cremated remains of an adult would weigh between 2 - 4 kg.

What happens to cremated remains strewn on the ground?

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Where cremated remains are strewn they are widely dispersed, as the highest biochemical activity exists at the surface of the soil. Chemical reactions resulting from exposure to elements quickly breakdown cremated remains so that little trace can be observed.

What arrangements can be made to ensure cremation is carried out after my death?

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Clear instructions should be made in writing to your executor or next of kin. It must be remembered that your request is not legally binding however if you discuss your request with your family it should ease any difficulties at a later time.

Contact us

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By phone: 0161 912 1515

By email: altrincham.crematorium@trafford.gov.uk

By post:   

Altrincham Crematorium,
Whitehouse Lane,
Dunham Massey,
Altrincham,
Cheshire
WA14 5RH