Questions and Answers

The first ever cremation was in Woking Crematorium in 1885 and since 1968 when the number of cremations exceeded burials for the first time, cremation has increased considerably. Current figures show that around 78% of all funerals are cremations.

Most current Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, allow cremation, as do Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists. It is however forbidden by the Orthodox Christian faiths, Orthodox Jews, Greeks and also Islamic faiths.

No. Generally the cost of the Exclusive Rights of Burial and the interment in a grave are much higher than the fee charged by the crematorium. Although the funeral director charges are similar for both services.

The service for burial and cremation is the same apart from the form of committal sentences. The service may take place at your own place of worship with a short committal service in the crematorium chapel, or you may have the whole service at the crematorium chapel. Alternatively, you may prefer a civil ceremony be conducted, or even no service at all. The service can be held at the crematorium, a local church or any other place that you choose.

The Cremation Regulations are complex and many people approach a funeral director immediately death occurs, and advise him that they wish to arrange a cremation. The funeral director will ensure that all the necessary statutory forms for cremation are obtained and presented to the Crematorium.

Yes. The Executor or nearest surviving relative may arrange the cremation service themselves but we recommend the use of a Funeral Director as the process can be challenging and their help and guidance is usually good value. The staff at Maldon Fields will always help but we cannot replace the role of the Funeral Director.

Yes, mourners may witness the committal of the coffin into the cremator under supervision. The Crematorium must be informed that you wish to witness the committal when the cremation is booked, so that staff can be informed who will then make the necessary preparations on the day.

Yes. The Code of Cremation Practice states that the coffin and the body shall be placed in cremator as received on the catafalque. The coffin or container with the body inside shall not be opened or otherwise disturbed, other than in exceptional circumstances, and then only with the express permission of the Applicant for Cremation (usually the executor or next of kin).

As part of our environmental policy, the cremation may not be carried out on the same day as the funeral service. This may be due to the funeral taking place late in the day or because a limited number of funerals have been booked. Careful management in this way reduces CO2 emissions and the use of fossil fuel.

This follows best practice with the national organisations advocating cremation within 72 hours of the funeral service.

Maldon Fields adhere to this guidance and would normally carry out the cremation within 24-48 hours of the service. All coffins held over for a cremation on a following day are stored safely and securely within the crematory.

A cremator can only accept one coffin at a time and all the ashes are removed from the cremator before the next cremation. An identity card is used throughout the whole process until the final disposal of ashes, thereby ensuring correct identification.

The law relating to cremation requires that ashes are disposed of in accordance with the written instructions of the applicant (usually the executor or nearest surviving relative). There are a number of options including collection by the funeral director or a relative. Alternatively the ashes can be scattered in the gardens of Maldon Fields with a memorial placed alongside if wished. There is no need to make a hurried decision with as the ashes will be held at the crematorium for three months without charge and this can be extended if the applicant asks for more time. Otherwise, if no instructions have been provided then the ashes will be scattered within our grounds after 2 weeks written notice has been provided to the applicant.

No. Ashes and Cremated Remains are one and the same thing and are defined as ‘everything that is left in the cremator at the end of the cremation process following the removal of any metal’. There is no separation of what is perceived to be ash from the coffin and other items from what is perceived to be ash from the deceased person as this would be impossible. Further questions about metal and what happens to it are answered below.

Maldon Fields takes every care to try and recover as much ashes as possible from baby and pregnancy loss cremations. A baby tray is used and the cremation is carried out as sensitively as possible. There may though be some instances where it has not been possible to retrieve any ashes at all after the cremation process.

The aperture through which the coffin passes in the cremator and the cremation chamber are of dimensions that will only safely accept one coffin. However, exceptions can be made in the case of a mother and baby or small twin children, so long as the next of kin or executor has made this specific request. There have been a small number of instances where elderly couples have died within a day or two of each other both being cremated in the same coffin. This is not unlawful provided that the applicant for cremation has made this request. The only thing that would prevent this happening is if the coffin were too large to pass through the aperture into the cremator as mentioned above.

No. The coffin and the body inside are cremated together as stated in the Code of Cremation Practice.

All metals remaining following cremation will be disposed of in the most suitable manner to reduce the impact on our environment. This will include the sensitive recycling of metals to avoid the use of non-renewable resources and comply with existing legislation. After cremation, any metals present will be removed from the cremated remains and held at the crematorium. Periodically, all metals recovered will be collected on a non-commercial basis and all proceeds will be distributed amongst selected charities. Please note, non-ferrous metals such as gold and silver melt into tiny particles during the cremation process and are not recoverable separately.

You can ask the metals to be returned to you if you prefer.

Yes. We ask that you book a time first but our staff at Maldon Fields would be pleased to show you our crematory and all of the equipment and procedures relating to a cremation. Close family and friends can also witness the cremation following the funeral if that is their choice.

Maldon Fields also holds an open day each year so that the general public have a chance to see what happens behind the scenes and have any questions or dounts answered. It is important that we do this in order to dispel any myths relating to cremation and provide reassurance on the very high standards of care. In particular, visitors will see that all cremations take place individually in a hygienic environment with coffins cremated at the same time as the deceased. They will also see the great care taken with the individual treatment of each set of ashes to ensure that they are returned to the applicant/family securely.

Please do not hesitate to contact our team so that we may answer any further queries that you may have.