Cremation

Booking a Cremation

If you are looking to book a cremation your funeral director will make sure we receive the necessary forms and help you with booking the funeral arrangements.

Before a cremation can take place, the cause of death needs to be established. The following forms from the funeral director have to be completed and received no later than 9am two working days before the cremation date:

• Notice of Cremation
• Application form (form 1) signed by the next of kin or executor
• Registrar's Certificate for Disposal or Coroners Certificate (form 6)

Apply for a cremation

Usually this will be done via your funeral director however, the forms can be viewed here:

Notice of cremation (PDF, 86 KB)(opens new window)

Cremation Form 1 (PDF, 190 KB)(opens new window)

Application for cremation of body parts (Cremation Form 2) (PDF, 146 KB)(opens new window)

Application for cremation of stillborn baby (Cremation Form 3) (PDF, 107 KB)(opens new window)

Notice of Interment

   Notice of Interment - Cremated Remains (PDF, 81 KB)

The service

Services in the ceremony rooms can be booked for 30, 45 or 90 minutes Monday to Friday.

The content of the service can be made up of poems, prayers, hymns, personal music and tributes about the person.

Viewings of the ceremony rooms can be arranged by appointment.

Our Bereavement Service Staff are available to discuss any queries you may have.

Email cemeteries@plymouth.gov.uk. (opens new window) or call 01752 307770. The office opening hours are 10.00am - 3.00pm Monday to Friday.

The committal

While the service is in progress the coffin rests on the catafalque (a platform on which the coffin is placed). The committal ceremony usually takes place towards the end of the service. At this point the curtains are usually closed and the coffin remains where it rests until all the mourners have left the chapel.

You may request that the curtains aren't closed, although the words of committal will still be said. If the coffin curtains aren't closed the coffin will remain in sight for the duration of the service.

If you wish to witness the committal your Funeral Director will need to inform us when they book the cremation so we can make the necessary arrangements.

At the end of the cremation service when the exit music is being played, the Funeral Director will direct mourners to where the floral tributes are on display.

The flowers will be displayed after the funeral service for a minuim of five days until they are disposed of by our staff. 

The cremation

All cremations will be carried out to meet the standards of the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities Code of Cremation Practice and the Institute of Cemeteries and Crematorium Management Guiding Principles for Cremation. In accordance with these national codes of practice, all cremations will normally take place within 24 hours and no cremation will be delayed more than 72 hours. This helps us to reduce the impact on the environment by making better use of energy and reducing greenhouse gases.

Each cremation is carried out separately and the coffin is cremated with the body.

All the ashes are removed before the next cremation and an identity card is used throughout to ensure correct identification.

The Ashes

The ashes can be scattered in a garden of remembrance, buried in a churchyard or cemetery, or kept. We offer a wide range of memorial options for your loved ones ashes including on-site memorials and personalised options to take home or keep with you.

There is no need to make a hurried decision about any memorials or the final resting place of the ashes as we can look after them for you free of charge for up to one month to give you time to consider, please note that after the month there will be a charge.

Consent for interment/scattering of cremated remains in a reopened/new grave (PDF, 73 KB)

Consent for interment of cremated remains in a new/reopened sanctum vault (PDF, 69 KB)