Organising a funeral

First steps

There is no legal requirement to use the services of a funeral director. However, we must point out that when arranging a funeral independently, there are certain aspects that you may find distressing, so any decision must be carefully considered.

The information provided here is intended to offer guidance and assist you with arranging a funeral without the services of a funeral director, should you choose to do so.

If the death occurred at home, the deceased's doctor and nearest relative should be contacted as soon as possible. You will need to advise the doctor if a cremation is desired, so that two doctor's may complete the certificates required. Once the doctor has certified the cause of death, the body may be washed and dressed. If the death occurred in hospital, it will be necessary to liaise with mortuary staff to agree a time for collection.

It is advised that the body is placed in a cool, well ventilated room, prior to the funeral.

Booking

You may book directly with the relevant office, during office hours, either by telephone or in person.

Your booking notice should allow sufficient time to obtain medical forms, certificates etc. prior to the service.

Please note that a period of seven days may lapse before a cremation service takes place if a death is reported to the Coroner, also where deaths occur at weekends and Public Holidays.

The provisional booking ensures that a day and time is reserved for the funeral so that all other aspects can be organised.

The Chapels are dedicated and not consecrated and may be used for religious and non-religious services. You can play music, read poetry, use musicians etc provided the arrangement is orderly and does not intrude on any other service. We need to be notified of how you propose to organise your service.

Services may take place from Monday to Friday, to begin at 30 minute intervals between 9.00am and 4.30pm. Time must be allowed for mourners to enter and exit the chapel, therefore we advise you plan a service of no more than twenty minutes. We do ask that the Chapel is clear within 25 minutes in order that it may be ready in time for the following service. Where a longer service is required, or a large attendance anticipated, additional time may be booked.

Cremation 

As an alternative to holding the full service at the Crematorium you may wish to hold a service in your own church or other meeting place before attending the Crematorium Chapel for a short Committal Ceremony. Whichever option is chosen it will be necessary to contact the officiating minister to ensure that the appointment is suitable to all parties.
You are not required to hold a service or any formality prior to a cremation if that is your wish. If no service is requested it will still be necessary to book a service time to allow for the coffin to be brought into the chapel and onto the catafalque (coffin resting place), before entering the crematory (area where the coffins are cremated).

The initial information we require to book a cremation is as follows: -

• Date and time of proposed cremation service
• Name of deceased
• Your name and contact telephone number.

A visit to the crematorium office will be necessary within 24 hours of making the provisional booking to collect the necessary forms for completion.  Please view our cremation pages for further information.

Burial

The initial information we require to book a burial is as follows: -

• Date and time of proposed burial
• Whether the Chapel is required
• Whether the burial is to take place in a new or existing grave
• Name of deceased
• Your name and contact telephone number

If a new grave is required, you must understand and accept the regulations under which the grave is sold.
If there is an existing family grave, only the owner of the Right of Burial may authorise an interment. You will need to provide the Deed or other documentation to show proof of ownership. Our records will be checked at this time to establish adequate burial space.

A visit to the cemetery office will be necessary within 24 hours of making the provisional booking to collect the necessary forms for completion.  Please review our burial pages for further information.

Provision of graves

Existing graves

In all of our cemeteries existing graves may be opened for burial, with authority from the grave owner, where sufficient space allows.

New graves

New graves are available in the following cemeteries:

• South Bristol Cemetery

• Canford Cemetery

• Henbury Cemetery

• Greenbank Cemetery

• Avonview Cemetery

Typically a 4feet 6inches deep grave will accommodate one coffin burial and a 6 foot deep grave will accommodate 2 coffin burials.

At South Bristol we are able to provide new graves in certain areas designated to various religions and cultures:

• Ba'hai

• Chinese

• Jewish

• Polish

• Muslim

Future use graves

Only South Bristol Cemetery has sufficient burial space to allow an unlimited sale of "Future use" graves.

Purchased: exclusive right of burial

Should you decide to purchase a new grave, it is the Exclusive Right of Burial to the grave that you purchase, not the grave itself.

The owner purchases the right of burial and the right to place a memorial.

Different specifications for memorials are applied to the various sections of new graves and it is very important that any restrictions are clearly understood by the purchaser prior to entering the agreement, as in fairness to other grave owners, no exceptions may be made.

At the time of purchase you will be asked to specify if the grave space will be required to inter one, two or three persons and the depth of the grave shall be noted upon the Deed accordingly. The limitation shall not apply to the interment of cremated remains, the number being limited by ground conditions.

The Exclusive Right of Burial is granted for a specific period of time, currently fifty years for grave spaces, thirty years for cremated remain plots, after which time the Right reverts back to the City Council.

Unpurchased graves

It is possible to arrange for a burial to take place in an unpurchased grave ie a grave where the Exclusive Right of Burial is retained by the City Council. The grave will be selected by the Manager, on the understanding that it is provided for the burial of unrelated persons, and no memorial shall be permitted.

Detailed information on the cost of a burial can be found here (pdf, 239 KB) (opens new window).

The Coffin

Cremation

A coffin, with a hard smooth base is essential to allow us to place the body in the cremator. The options are as follows:

• A standard coffin may be purchased from some funeral directors. Standard coffins are usually made of chipboard with veneers and fittings approved for cremation purposes.
• You can construct your own coffin, using chipboard as the preferred material. Ferrous screws are acceptable in small numbers, and wood braces will give strength but must not be placed on the underside. No PVC, sealant, plastic or heavy metal such as lead should be used. Handles are useful but not strictly necessary.
• Coffins of an 'environmentally friendly' construction e.g. wicker or cardboard may be accepted although they are required to have a solid smooth wood ply base - this is to ensure that they can be passed easily into the cremators.  Where an open-type basket weave is to be used we would recommend you wrap the body in a cotton shroud.  Coffins may be decorated, but the coatings must be compatible with cremation. Gloss or extensive paint finishes are not acceptable.
• The full name of the deceased must be displayed upon the coffin, either as a plate, a card, or painted or written on the lid or sides. As fluid can leak from the body, absorbent cloth or cotton wadding is essential.
• Canford Crematorium - the maximum permitted external coffin size is 82" long, 28" wide and 21" high. Casket shaped coffins not to exceed 78" long.
• South Bristol Crematorium - the maximum permitted external coffin / casket shaped coffin size is 84" long, 28" wide, and 22" high

Burial

There are fewer restrictions on the type of coffin that is provided for burial. These coffins should however be constructed of perishable materials and display the full name of the deceased. Burial without a coffin is permitted providing the deceased is suitably wrapped, thus causing no offence to the living or indignity to the deceased. The wrapped body must be secured to a rigid board to enable it to be lowered into the grave.

Transporting the Body

You will need to make arrangements to transport the body, sometimes from the hospital/mortuary to a place of rest, and always to the crematorium. The transport of a coffin, with or without the body, normally requires an estate car or van. You may wish to consider hiring a hearse and driver from a local funeral director to perform both tasks.

You need to transport the empty coffin to the mortuary if the body is retained there. You have a Common Law right, as executor or next of kin, to be given the body without the assistance of a funeral director. You will need to liaise with the hospital/mortuary whose staff will normally assist you.

The Funeral Service

• The format this service takes is entirely of your choice.

• You may have arranged for a minister to take the service for you, or alternatively someone to lead a non-religious ceremony or perhaps even a relative or friend.

• When you arrive at the crematorium the Chapel Attendant will receive and help you. You will need to provide bearers to carry the coffin into the chapel and place it onto the catafalque (coffin resting place).

• Coffins can only be received through the chapel. Coffins must always follow crematorium procedures and no other protocol is permitted.

• It is usual, though not obligatory, for the person leading the service to lead the coffin into the chapel, with the mourners following. The coffin will rest upon the catafalque during the cremation service.

• For a burial service the coffin will remain, or be placed, on a movable stand, which will lie at the front of the chapel. After the service the coffin will either be carried or wheeled out of the chapel.

• Music - an organist is provided from a rota, their fee included in the cremation fee. If a particular piece of music is required it should be arranged with the minister or officiant in advance of the service. If tapes and CD's are desired the organist will be pleased to operate the tape / CD equipment, however, these must be delivered to the crematorium office at least one working day before the cremation service. To preserve the dignity of the service, it is important that each taped track is provided on a separate cassette.

• A list of available hymns and music can be obtained from our offices.

Cremation Procedure

South Bristol and Canford Crematoria are members of the Federation of British Cremation Authorities and are required to operate strictly in accordance with the Code of Cremation Practice. This code provides the only ethical standards of cremation practice in Great Britain.

The Committal (Body Sent for Cremation)
The coffin rests on the catafalque during the service. At the moment during the service when the "committal" takes place, the coffin is lowered into the committal room below. Our Chapel Attendant is available to do the committal for you. Should you prefer, the coffin may remain on view, upon the catafalque, until all mourners have left the Chapel.

Floral Tributes
On the day of the funeral a small name plaque will be provided in the floral tribute area, either upon a stand or attached to the wall, and any tributes will be placed close to the plaque. At the end of the service mourners may go to view the flowers.

Fees
A full table of fees is available upon request. Fees are reviewed each year on 1st April. The cremation fee also includes use of chapel, organist and (or) use of music system, cremation and placing of cremated remains in the Gardens of Remembrance or providing Certificate of Disposal to identify remains being removed from the Crematorium.