Dealing with the death and loss of someone is hard enough – what if we also have to deal with the details, such as the cremation? There are many things involved with the cremation of the deceased, such as where it will take place and what costs are involved, and there is also the question of what to do with the ashes of your loved one once they have been cremated. The good thing is that you or your family can seek help from a funeral director regarding the service’s many details. Still, there are other details that you may need help with, such as the memorial service, which is a wholly different thing. But with regards to cremation, what is involved? Here’s your guide to cremations: the cost, paperwork, expectations, and more.
What documents do you need?
Before the service can happen, you need a cremation application and a cremation certificate. The certificate is also referred to as the green form, and you can get it at the same time when you register a person’s death. On the other hand, the cremation application is a kind of permit – in other words, it allows the proceedings to take place. It’s also called Form 1 in Wales and England. Only a close friend or family member of the deceased should complete it, and once it has been completed, they have to send it off to the Cremation Authority. If you are planning a cremation, you can get this form from your local council or download it straight from your local council’s site.
The Cremation Authority will also need medical certificates, usually two from separate doctors. The medical certificate stating the cause of death must be signed by the doctor who has last seen the deceased and can specify how they died. Meanwhile, the 2nd medical certificate (called the confirmatory certificate) must be signed by a 2nd doctor to confirm the cause of death.
What takes place before and during a cremation service?
As funeral directors in Leeds like Carroll & Carroll confirm, the hearse will transport your loved one to the crematorium, followed by the limousines transporting friends and family. Pallbearers will then place the coffin on the catafalque (a raised platform), and a cremation service can take place, which can be religious or non-religious, based on your or your loved one’s beliefs. Some funerals with cremation also begin with a separately-held service, which can be at a place of worship or another venue.
At the end of the cremation service, the coffin is hidden behind drapes or lowered; otherwise, it is taken outside the chapel. Once the cremation service has ended, the mourners can walk out of the chapel or arrange to have a final viewing before the cremation. You can play some music or stream the service if you want, so absent friends and family members can view it.
What are the expenses involved?
Cremation charges may vary depending on the local community, so check this accordingly. Other expenses are usually the memorial plaques, trees, or headstones; ashes and urns; caskets; and a garden plot in a family garden of remembrance.
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