Whilst the organisation of a funeral by the family of the deceased without the services of a Funeral Director is very uncommon it is not unique. Advice and guidance regarding making arrangements for an independent funeral can be obtained from Bereavement Service headquarters (see Contact Bereavement Services Head Office)

It is usual for grave spaces to be purchased at the time of an interment via the Funeral Director. However, it is possible to purchase a grave space in advance. Advice and guidance regarding purchasing a grave can be obtained from Bereavement Services Heaquarters (see Contact Bereavement Services Head Office).

No. Members of the public purchase the right of burial in a particular grave space. The cemetery land is always vested with the Council who retains the right to make rules and regulations to benefit all users.

No. This is not obligatory. A civil ceremony can be conducted or there may be none at all. On occasions a memorial service is conducted separately from the cremation ceremony.

The Cremation Regulations are still quite complicated and it is wisest to approach a funeral director immediately death occurs and advise him that you desire to arrange for a cremation. Discuss with him how soon you wish the cremation to take place and whom you wish to officiate at the service, also the form of service. The Funeral director will then do all that is needed to procure the necessary statutory forms for the cremation. You will need to sign the statutory Form A if you are the executor or the next of kin or are authorised by either to do so. The death will have to be registered and you will be advised how to do this.

You will probably be asked how you wish to dispose of the cremation ashes. If you know what you want at this stage, you will be asked to sign an authority for the crematorium to carry out your wishes. If you are undecided, DO NOT sign any authority. Most crematoria will retain cremation ashes for a month, giving you time to make a decision.

No, generally the cost of a grave is much higher than the fee charged for cremation. The funeral director's charges are much the same for both services. The only additional charge for cremation arises when the death has not been referred to the Coroner therefore fees to two doctors have to be paid for the necessary certificates. This does not apply to burial. With cremation there are no later costs for headstones, grave care, etc., which arise with burial.

The coffin is usually brought into the chapel followed by the mourners in procession. While it is being placed on the catafalque the mourners take their seats and the service proceeds. At the moment when the committal of the body takes place, the coffin may be obscured from view by means of curtains closing around the catafalque or the coffin may be withdrawn through a gateway. The method varies at each crematorium but the most common method today is the use of curtains. At the end of the service mourners leave the chapel and may inspect the floral tributes before leaving.

It is withdrawn into the committal room where the nameplate of the coffin is checked with the cremation order to ensure correct identity. The coffin is then labelled with a card prepared by the crematorium giving all relevant information. The card will stay with the body now until the final disposal of the cremation ashes.

Where possible the cremation will follow immediately after the service. The Code of Cremation practice, which is adhered to by members of the Federation of British Cremation Authorities, requires that the cremation shall take place on the same day as the cremation service.

Yes. The code requires that nothing must be removed from the coffin after it has been received from the chapel and it must be placed into the cremator exactly as received.

The best advice is that it should be removed after death unless it is intended that it should be cremated. Once the coffin has been placed in the chapel there is no way of recovering such items.

No. The only exceptions permitted to this rule are in the case of a mother and baby or twin children when the next of kin requests that the two be cremated together.

Yes. Normally two persons are permitted to attend and the supervisor should be advised in advance of this wish.

The service for burial and cremation is the same apart from the form of committal sentences and the service may take place in one's own church or chapel with a short committal service in the crematorium chapel or the whole service may be conducted in the crematorium chapel. You may arrange for your own minister to conduct the service. The form of service should be arranged with the minister and if hymns are to be sung at the crematorium, the organist there should be advised in advance.

All religious requirements can be accommodated within Wakefield MDC Cemeteries.

Yes. Today all Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, allow cremation but it is forbidden by Orthodox Jews and Muslims. It is the normal method for Sikhs, Hindus, Parsees and Buddhists.

Headstones and vases are allowed on private grave spaces but these must be approved by the Council. For details of the current regulations regarding cemetery memorials, please contact Bereavement Services Headquarters (see Contact Bereavement Services Head Office).

Telephone or visit your local crematorium and discuss the matter with the Supervisor there. The Supervisor will be pleased to answer your queries and conduct you through the crematorium to see how it is operated.