After leaving the family home or chapel of rest on the day of the funeral, most families tend to prefer a church service to be provided. This is then followed by the actual committal service and interment at their local cemetery.

On arrival at the cemetery, the funeral cortege will be met by a representative of the council (Cemetery Service Officer) who is identifiable through the use of an identity badge that is clearly visible. Time is given for latecomers to arrive before the service begins.

The Cemetery Service Officer will obtain the necessary statutory documentation that is required before an interment can take place from the funeral director and then along with the minister will lead the way to the grave followed by the funeral director, the deceased, family and then friends.

The coffin will normally be lowered into the grave by the funeral director’s staff. The family at this stage would generally wait a short distance from the grave for operational reasons.

However requests can be made for family members and/or friends to take part in this part of the service. Prior notice would be appreciated in order to make the necessary arrangements.

Family and friends will then be led to the graveside by the funeral director after the coffin is lowered. The committal service will then normally begin. Family flowers are placed nearby.

Following the service, family and friends have the opportunity to view tributes and spend some time in quiet contemplation before being led back to the funeral cars by the funeral director.

Once the cortege has left the cemetery, council operatives will begin the backfilling operations, respectfully placing the floral tributes on the grave after completion.

We expect that all backfilling operations will have been completed and the area surrounding the grave totally cleaned and prepared should anyone wish to visit the grave within one and a half hours following the service ending.

We appreciate that each funeral service should be personal, individual and in keeping with the wishes of the family and that family members may wish special requests to be accommodated at the cemetery. We always try to carry out any requests wherever possible but would be grateful if these could be made known to the funeral director in advance, wherever possible, of the service taking place.

Families do have the option of having a graveside service being provided if they so wish and the use of a minister is not a necessity. The funeral director can make the necessary arrangements for these wishes to be carried out.

 A Chapel is available free of charge for services prior to interments in Whitwood Cemetery.