Code of Cremation Practice

THE FEDERATION OF BURIAL AND CREMATION AUTHORITIES Code of Cremation Practice

1. CONDUCT

The cremation of a human body is a highly emotional occasion for those taking part in the service. This must never be forgotten by the staff of the Crematorium, who must combine to create and maintain a dignified atmosphere of reverence and respect throughout the entire proceedings.

2. STAFF

The greatest care must be taken in the appointment of members of the Crematorium staff, any one of whom may, by conduct or demeanour, detract from the atmosphere of reverence which it is endeavoured to create. All staff employed in the operation of cremators must be suitably trained in the technical and ethical procedures and certified as specified in Process Guidance Note 5/2 (12) or any subsequent

Guidance that may be issued by the relevant Government Department.

3. PRIOR TO COMMITTAL

A coffin and its contents brought to the crematorium, whether for a service prior to cremation, a planned cremation without a service, or for a service prior to burial, shall be brought into the crematorium building through an appropriate* entrance. If the coffin and its contents are to be cremated, the coffin shall be transferred directly to the crematory in the normal manner.

*Note: Where the crematorium offers more than one entrance for receiving the deceased, they must be designed for the required purpose and be suitable for the dignified reception of coffins. The entrance should be visible to the public, should be sufficiently wide enough for clear access, e.g. double doors, and where it enters the crematory directly, it should pass through two sets of double doors. The Cremation

Authority must obtain the prior, informed, written consent of the Applicant for Cremation for the use of whichever entrance is required.

4. AFTER COMMITTAL

(a) A body shall not be removed from the Crematorium after the Service of Committal except for a lawful purpose. (b) Subject to receiving the necessary Authority to Cremate, the coffin and its contents shall be put into the cremator, as soon as practicable, exactly as they have been received on the catafalque. A body not cremated on the same day as the coffin is received at the

Crematorium may only be retained on the written consent of the Applicant for cremation and in circumstances deemed necessary by the Cremation Authority, including impacts on the environment. All bodies retained at the crematorium will be accommodated in secure and sanitary conditions within the building. (c) Once a coffin with its contents has been placed in the cremator, it shall not be touched or interfered with until the process of cremation is completed. On completion, the whole of the Cremated Remains/Ashes, which is all the material left in the cremator following cremation less any metals, shall be collected and shall be disposed of in accordance with the instruction received.

5. CORRECT IDENTITY

(a) No coffin shall be accepted at any Crematorium unless it bears adequate particulars of the identity of the deceased person contained therein. If a coffin is encased, the cover and the coffin must bear adequate identity of the deceased person. (b) Every care must be taken to ensure correct identification throughout the whole proceedings from the moment the coffin is received onto the catafalque until the final disposal of the Cremated Remains/Ashes.

6. SEPARATELY CREMATED

Each deceased person given to the care of the Cremation Authority shall be cremated separately. Exceptions may be made for instance in the case of mother and baby or twin children providing that the next of kin has made a specific request in this regard.

7. COFFIN COVERS

When a re-useable cover is used to encase a coffin, signed authority must be given by the Applicant for the cremation authorising its use and consenting to its subsequent removal from the Crematorium.

8. METAL RESIDUES

Any metal found amongst the Cremated Remains/Ashes shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Cremation Authority or Higher Authority.

9. CREMATED REMAINS/ASHES

The utmost care shall be taken to ensure that the Cremated Remains/Ashes, following their removal from the cremator, shall be kept separate and suitably identified. The Cremated Remains/Ashes shall be placed in a separate container awaiting final disposal. If the

Cremated Remains/Ashes are to be disposed of in a Garden of Remembrance, this shall be conducted with reverence and respect.

Cremated Remains/Ashes to be conveyed by a carrier service should be placed in a suitably labelled robust container and dealt with according to recommendations laid down by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities.

10. CREMATORS AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT

Cremators and all other ancillary equipment used in the Crematorium shall be kept in good repair and maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, and the requirements of the current guidance Notes issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or subsequent legislation.

11. STATUTORY REGULATIONS

All cremations shall be carried out according to the provisions of the Cremations Acts and the Regulations made thereunder and any subsequent legislation.

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To advertise in Resurgam please contact:

Kate Waller – Resurgam Editor Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities 9 Cornflower Avenue, Hampton Vale, Peterborough PE7 8PB

Telephone: 01733 229646 Mobile: 07787 123331 Email: resurgam@fbca.org.uk

THE FEDERATION OF BURIAL AND CREMATION AUTHORITIES

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU

The Federation counts over 90% of British Cremation Authorities as Members.

We offer a telephone and written advice service to our members through our secretariat and team of Technical Officers.

The Federation is the only organisation in this country solely representing the interests of Burial & Cremation Authorities.

Our team of highly experienced Technical Officers can advise burial and cremation authorities on matters relating to cemetery and crematoria management.

The Federation provides the Examination and Certification scheme “TEST” for the training and qualification of Crematorium Technicians. We also provide on-site refresher training for previously certificated cremator technicians to ensure that their knowledge and skill levels are up to date.

We are suppliers of high quality on-site training for cemetery operatives using a specialist training company to cover all aspects of cemetery work.

The Federation, formed in 1924, has vast experience in offering its members technical advice on burial and cremation matters and represents the interests of its members at Government level.

The opinion of the Federation is regularly sought by Government Departments prior to the issuing of wider consultation relating to the burial & cremation sector.

The Code of Cremation Practice issued by the Federation is recognised in the UK and abroad as setting the industry standard for cremation practice.

The Federation jointly sponsors the annual Cremation and Burial Conference & Exhibition with the Cremation Society of Great Britain.

We publish the Federation’s own quarterly magazine “RESURGAM” which informs all Burial & Cremation Authorities of the latest developments within the service.

The Federation provides a dedicated website www.fbca.org.uk with information specifically for operators of cemeteries and crematoria, although full access to the site is only granted to representatives of member organisations.