BEREAVEMENT SERVICES
FUNERAL OPTIONS & ADVICE
Bereavement Services is part of the Gateway & Welfare Department within the London Borough of Croydon, and this leaflet describes the services we provide. It is our intention to offer a high standard of care and options which enable each member of the community to arrange a funeral which is meaningful to them and those who mourn a death. In meeting that aim, the Council provides an innovative service that is sustainable and enhances the natural environment in and around Croydon. We are a community service and can offer free help and advice on most aspects related to people who plan their funeral before a death occurs. bereavement. Otherwise, these crisis decisions are taken by partners or family in haste and distress, which can be regretted later. The Council has adopted the Charter for the Bereaved issued by the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium A WILL & ADVANCED FUNERAL DIRECTIVE Management. The Charter is a commitment to improving the Many people prefer to ignore mortality and this can add to the service by confronting rather than obscuring the death devastating impact of death. Although the law does not allow experience, and by reducing ignorance. It defines the rights an individual to leave binding instructions over their funeral, a of every individual who experiences bereavement and gives Will, executor and Advance Funeral Directive does reduce the bereaved greater understanding about the arrangement problems. These arise regularly in Bereavement Services of a funeral using the burial and cremation facilities at over grave ownership, the possession of cremated remains Croydon. This helps ensure that the right decisions are and the placement of memorials. This is especially true when taken and that funeral costs are understood and controlled. partners, whether same sex or not, live together and are not protected by marriage laws. For example, parents can take The Charter guarantees 33 Rights and these are integrated control of funerals and cremated remains leaving the partner into the services outlined in this leaflet. Indeed, Croydon of the deceased uninvolved, and give instructions that might Council sees the Charter Rights as a minimum and our be the opposite of the wishes of the deceased person. service extends well beyond these requirements. If you require a copy of the Charter, please refer to our Funeral It is a fact that where people set out their funeral wishes in Advisory Service hand-outs on the last page of this leaflet. advance, the surviving partner and family find it both Croydon Council have also issued a useful leaflet about satisfying and more therapeutic to follow these. It enables death and bereavement that lists some key things to them to instruct a funeral director in the secure knowledge of consider at this time and helpful contact information. If you what the deceased wanted. With much doubt removed, the require a copy, it is item no. 3 in the list of leaflets in our grieving process can begin more immediately and with Funeral Advisory Service hand-outs on the last page of this greater comfort. If you wish to leave such instruction, a free leaflet. copy of an Advance Funeral Directive is available from our Funeral Advisory Service on the last page of this leaflet. WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS LEAFLET The majority of people know little about funerals and how Although Bereavement Services design and offer cremation, they can organise a funeral to satisfy their belief, lifestyle or burial and even “green” funeral options, the law does not other needs. To help, this leaflet outlines some of the issues allow us to act as a funeral director. We are unable to collect so that you can make the necessary decisions. It begins the deceased prior to cremation or burial. Some people with the need for a Will and Advance Funeral directive, and choose to do this part of the funeral themselves and this is extends to details of cremation, burial, the mortuary service outlined under INDEPENDENT (DIY) FUNERALS later in this and finally Independent (DIY) funerals and environmental leaflet. considerations. These details are particularly useful to THE CREMATION SERVICE THE CREMATION Croydon crematorium was opened in 1937 and with We pride ourselves in ensuring that every cremation is individual approximately 2,000 cremations each year, has completed over and the deceased’s identity is maintained at all times. Each 150,000 cremations in total. It can be accessed from Thornton cremation is normally completed within 48 hours of the service. Road or Mitcham Road and a large car park is provided. Four Where a coffin needs to be held overnight, we have refrigerated, staff are employed on cremation duties, with the grounds being secure storage. maintained in partnership with Ground-Control Limited. Three state of the art cremators are operated, each costing £150,000. The crematorium is licensed under the Environmental Cremation services occur Monday to Friday 9am to 4 pm at 45 Protection Act 1990 and to reduce air pollution and gas usage minute intervals. Which allows us to ensure that the service is we programme the cremations from 8 am to 8 pm each day. This dignified and unhurried. If a large congregation is expected, or means that only one or two cremators are used each day and an extended service desired, extra time can be booked upon ensures the process is as environmentally friendly as possible. payment of a fee. We also offer Saturday morning services To reduce emissions, we ask funeral directors and the bereaved between 9:30 –11:45am. Both East & West chapels are not to use plastics, PVC or any material that causes pollution. available. The deceased can be dressed or shrouded in clothing of natural The majority of funerals occur between 10.30 and 4 pm. A materials, but shoes or rubber soled footwear must be avoided. reduced fee applies if you choose a time before 10am. This Placing items in the coffin which explode must be avoided. reduced fee also applies where people choose not to hold any These include coconuts, bottles of whisky and glass photograph service at the crematorium thereby not requiring music or chapel frames. We also request information about medical implants, attendants. particularly pacemakers, which can also explode.
Two chapels are available. They are available for use by all, ENVIRONMENTAL CREMATION being neither consecrated nor having any permanent religious The standard cremation coffin is made of chipboard or MDF with symbols. The West chapel has a traditional design and seats 80 plastic liner, handles and nameplate, all of which create people. The East chapel has a modern design and seats 130. emissions. The most suitable of these coffins are those The seating in the West chapel is in the form of pews, the East manufactured to standards certified by the Forest Stewardship Chapel has linked chairs allowing additional flexibility. Linked Council (FSC). These contain recycled timber and for each coffin chairs also enable people to place the seats in different used, a donation is made to the Woodland Trust; if you are positions, rather than in serried rows and eases access interested in this option please discuss this with your Funeral restrictions for any mourners with mobility issues. A religious or Director. secular (non-religious) service can be arranged. The Wesley An attractive and expensive looking re-usable casket is also now Music system is used at the Croydon Crematorium; music would available. This includes an inner cardboard coffin, which is be selected from a vast library and the funeral arranger will notify removed for cremation. The outer casket can be re-used a the crematorium staff of the music choices. Recorded music, number of times. This approach saves the world’s resources and mp3 or CDs can be used, but the family would need to bring all “green” coffins made of cardboard, bamboo or wicker also their own player and speakers, some families bring musicians or help the council to minimise emissions from the cremation singers, or read poetry (the chapels do have an organ but an process. organist is not included). It is important to note that you have a wide range of options. There is no legal necessity to hold a POSSESSION OF THE CREMATED REMAINS service and some people entirely dispense with this. The cremated remains belong to the person who completes the application for cremation. We will hand them to a funeral director The “committal” part of the service needs to be considered acting for the applicant but not to any other relative, no matter carefully, as some people have been upset over what happens. how close, or other person without the express written During the ceremony, the coffin rests on the “catafalque”, a permission of the applicant. This is to avoid any family disputes name used for the stage upon which a royal coffin was placed. over ownership which are now a regular occurrence following a At the point of “committal” in the ceremony, the coffin either sinks death. from view (West chapel) or a choice of two curtains close to either fully or partially obscure it (East chapel). Alternatively, if COMMEMORATION you find the entire committal ceremony too upsetting, the coffin The placing and commemoration of the cremated remains is a can remain in place and no curtains need be drawn, so the coffin very individual decision. It is made easier if the deceased stated is always in view. If you use a minister, you will need to ensure a particular wish over their final placement. They can be taken they are aware of this wish. away for burial in a grave, strewn on a favourite location or kept at home. If strewn on a favourite spot, the permission of the landowner is theoretically necessary before this is done. If the remains are placed on water then the Environment Agency request that they not be scattered from a bridge, and that no MEMORIAL LEATHER PANELS wreaths or cellophane bags be placed in the water. A special room is reserved to display these beautiful gold inscribed leather panels for renewable 7 year terms. It is very important to note that if you own an old (full) grave, you can often add cremated remains to it. This is an ideal way COLUMBARIUM RECORDIA of keeping family members together. These are simulated stone plaques on the walls around a small courtyard. They are inscribed for renewable 15 year GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE periods and facilities for flower vases are nearby. The original concept of cremation was to avoid a “grave” by strewing the cremated remains in a Garden of Remembrance. ROSE GARDEN MEMORIAL At Croydon we have an extensive and attractive Garden of The rose gardens contain 3,600 rose bushes and standards. Remembrance with water features and seating. We strew the An inscribed plaque can be placed by the rose for cremated remains amongst shrubs or undedicated rose beds, renewable 7 year periods. A range of plaques in various where they will remain undisturbed for ever. We record this shapes are available at an increased cost. location so that you can add the remains of other family mem- bers in the future. If you prefer, you can choose the location If you require a memorial together with the cremated yourself and attend the scattering of the remains with our staff, remains, then the options include: at no extra cost. We are able to offer a short spoken service with the reading of a poem or verse at these ceremonies for a COLUMBARIUM NICHE – these are high quality black small fee; please contact the office for further details. granite niches located in the courtyard to the rear of the West chapel in the crematorium gardens. To complement this service, we have an attractive Hall of Remembrance in which the Book of Remembrance is YORKSTONE MEMORIAL PAVING – these are laid in displayed. This area includes an aviary, a flower preparation various parts of the Garden of Remembrance and inscribed room and toilets for the convenience of mourners and visitors. for 15 year periods. The cremated remains can be laid A range of memorialisation is available and is entirely optional beneath the stone. for the bereaved. CREMATED REMAINS GRAVES – these are available at COMMEMORATIVE FACILITIES Greenlawn Memorial Park in Warlingham and both Mitcham The memorials below are all at additional cost to the cremation Road and Queen’s Road cemeteries (using reclaimed fee. Please telephone for information or for an appointment. graves). For details, see under BURIAL below.
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE ASHES INTO GLASS - hand crafted jewellery and These are beautiful hand made books and the inscription is glassware designed to incorporate your loved one’s ashes. completed individually by an artist. Floral emblems, badges and personal art work can be added. The entries are viewed THE BURIAL SERVICE on the anniversary and as this memorial is in perpetuity it The London Borough of Croydon has provided a local burial never needs renewal. service since 1861. Generally, the right to burial in a grave is purchased (*see below) for 50 year renewable periods. BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE (Electronic copy) For new graves, the purchaser must decide how many The inscriptions above are automatically scanned and stored burials are to occur in the grave (from 1 to 3). Each grave is on a computer. Using a swipe card the entry can be viewed on numbered and maintained on a plan. Details of the owner of a screen whenever you visit the Hall of Remembrance. You the grave right and the burials are maintained forever on can add an electronic “obituary” record of the deceased's life, computerised records. Grave rights can be purchased in including photographs, at an additional charge. In the future, advance and even a memorial erected prior to death. The this will be an exceptional resource for those seeking genea- maintenance at the three cemeteries is similar and includes logical information about your family. All entries are now fortnightly mowing. This is an average and not bowling available on a dedicated website for family members and green standard. Waste bins and water taps are provided at friends, who may no longer live locally to view; the web various points. address is: http://croydon.bookofremembrance.eu *A purchased grave is one where a right of burial is MEMORIAL CARDS/BOOKS purchased for the exclusive use of a person for a period; These are replicas of the Book of Remembrance entry for currently 50 years. The owner of the right must give written retaining at home or sending to distant family. permission for all burials and memorial work. The owner of the right can bequeath it through a will, or assign it to another person during his/her lifetime. A formal request must of the chosen design. Temporary edgings or surrounds can be be made to transfer the ownership; contact the office for placed prior to the purchase of a memorial. These graves are further details. Note: the owner of the grave right does not ideal for those who want greater choice over memorial design. own the land, which remains with the council. For instance, a memorial kerb surround prevents people walking over the grave, and enables the grave purchaser to Various types of grave are available in the following three create a garden area, if they so wish. To preserve as much of cemeteries: the cemetery heritage as possible we also offer reclaimed ‘Heritage Graves’; included in the cost of the grave is the Greenlawn Memorial Park original memorial which we have deemed to be of historic This is an American style cemetery opened in 1947. To interest and worth preserving for the future. Further details are maintain this concept, traditional memorials are not permitted available on request. If you prefer, you can visit the cemetery and only flat tablets can be placed horizontally at the foot of by appointment to select the grave position. A leaflet giving the grave. This creates an attractive, neat, lawned details of reclaimed graves is also available on request (item appearance. As these memorials will not become unsafe, 14. in the list of handouts on back page). unlike traditional memorials, the memorial right extends to a full 50 years. To maintain the park appearance, fairly 2. Unpurchased Graves - these are old graves owned by the stringent regulations apply over the placement of items on council and used for the burial of those who do not want a and around the grave. A copy of the regulations can be purchased grave. As only an interment fee is payable this is the requested from the list at the end of this leaflet. The Council least expensive grave option. Further burials of unrelated can supply tablets in a range of sizes and prices. You may bodies will occur in the future, until the grave is full. Memorials wish to source your own supplier and you can contact the are restricted to 12”x12” flat tablets. cemetery office for further information on the regulations. If you prefer traditional memorials, you should chose a grave at 3. Reclaimed Cremated Remains Graves - each of these is Mitcham Road or Queen’s Road. Three grave types are one half of an old grave, which was last used over 75 years available at Greenlawn Memorial Park: ago. The grave is sold for a 50 year term in which up to four cremation caskets can be interred. Memorials are restricted to 1. New Graves - since summer 2005 these are the only new small headstone designs placed on a slab base and, if desired, graves available in Croydon. They are dug for one to three a small garden area can be placed above the interred caskets. burials, based on a sliding scale of fees. A variety of plaque Temporary edgings or surrounds can be placed prior to the sizes can be placed. purchase of a memorial. A leaflet giving details of reclaimed cremated remains graves is available on request (item 15. in 2. Cremated Remains Graves - these are small graves the list of handouts on back page). placed on an area called the Rest Park. Each grave will accept up to four cremation caskets and a plaque size 18” Queen’s Road Cemetery x12” (450mm x 300mm). This is a Victorian cemetery opened in 1861. Most grave plots are level and many trees have been planted in recent years. Two grounds staff work at the cemetery Monday to Friday The majority of derelict memorials have been removed. The and assist cemetery visitors, including the selection of grave twin chapels are in a poor state and were closed for services locations; please make an appointment for this via the main in the 1990‘s. No new graves are available and grave choice is crematorium office. A waiting room and toilets are available restricted to: at the gate entrance. 1. Reclaimed Graves - (for details, see under Mitcham Road) Mitcham Road Cemetery 2. Reclaimed Cremated Remains Graves - (for details, see This is a late Victorian cemetery which opened in 1897. It is a under Mitcham Road) flat site with few trees and extensive areas of old memorials. No new graves are now available and grave choice is A groundsman is employed at the cemetery from Monday to restricted to: Friday to assist cemetery visitors, including the selection of grave locations; please make an appointment for this via the 1. Reclaimed Graves - these are old graves last used over main crematorium office. 75 years ago and in which further burial space exists. Some of these graves were covered by derelict memorials, which There are toilets at Queen’s Road; however they are only open have been removed. Graves can be selected for a new 50 when the groundsman is on site; this does not include the year period for one or two burials. None of the previous weekend or evenings. deeper burials will be disturbed. The right to place a memorial varies from 30 to 50 years depending on the safety CEMETERY CHAPEL expertise and avoids any involvement in what many people see A chapel is available at Mitcham Road Cemetery (fee payable). as onerous arrangements. It does though, increase costs and can This will seat approximately 80 people and includes facilities for reduce the amount of personal input, which some people will find playing CD’s and an organ; however an organist would need to be very satisfying. If you have the means of transporting the coffin arranged. This chapel can be used for any form of religious or non and body, and some bearers, you can make the funeral -religious ceremony prior to burial at any of the three cemeteries. arrangements direct with Bereavement Services. There are Alternatively, a burial ceremony can be held in one of the two various options including using our mortuary service and crematorium chapels (note that if the crematorium chapel is used, refrigerated units, to hold the body prior to the funeral. A leaflet to the Wesley Music System is in place). guide you through Independent Burial or cremation is available in the list of handouts on the back page of this leaflet.
PLACING A MEMORIAL ON THE GRAVE (Mitcham Road & Queen’s Road cemeteries only) FUNERAL COSTS & HELP WITH PAYMENT You can choose any memorial mason you wish, but are Funeral costs can be divided into the funeral directors cost plus recommended to use those who are members of the National the “disbursements” paid by the funeral director on behalf of the Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM). They have defined client. These disbursements usually include the fees for burial and standards and have introduced an accreditation scheme which cremation paid to Croydon Council. The standard adult cremation Croydon Council follow and will apply to all masons working in our fee is £840.00 (2018/19) which represents almost one quarter cemeteries in order to widen protection for consumers. (25%) of the typical £3300.00 total cremation funeral bill. This fee covers the perpetual registration of the cremation, use of a Memorials can be expensive and it is sensible to obtain at least chapel, the cremation itself and the perpetual maintenance of the two quotes. The owner of the grave right is responsible for the Garden of Remembrance, in which most cremated remains are safe erection of the memorial, so it is important to have the work placed at no extra fee. The cremation service operates at a small done safely by an accredited mason. For instance, it is essential surplus each year. Burial is much more expensive than cremation that all memorial joints are dowelled (fixed with a metal pin) and reflects the high cost of maintaining graves for long periods, before cementing. All masons are required in common law to fix keeping the memorials safe and, in London, finding new grave a memorial that is safe and secure for a minimum 30 years. As space. The expected costs of burials within the Borough will be the landowner the London Borough of Croydon have a Memorial driven up due to the costs of obtaining new burial land. In Safety Programme, whereby a dedicated team are measuring the Croydon, a new grave is £3451.00 (2018/19) and the burial stability and safety of all types of memorials in line with industry charge £1046.00 (2018/19). Assuming funeral director charges of approved standards. If a memorial proves to be unstable we are £2000.00, and a memorial cost of £1000.00, a typical burial could temporarily securing it, sinking or laying the memorial flat and cost upwards of £7500.00. contacting the grave owners to advise them of what actions they are required to take. For further information regarding this project Very little help is available for the payment of funeral costs. For please contact the Cemetery Office. those on specified benefits, a Social Fund Funeral Payment might be obtained. A payment in part or full is made for 6% of all Please note that if a wide grave has been excavated to accept a funerals at the current time. Ex-service personnel and union large American casket, the grave is more likely to sink over members might find assistance through their respective succeeding years. With all graves, you should leave a minimum 6 organisations. months before you place a memorial to allow the soil to settle. FUNERAL DELAYS MEMORIAL DAMAGE In recent years, adverse reports about funeral delays running into Each grave owner is responsible for their memorial and damage many weeks have occurred elsewhere in the UK. This has partly is not covered by the Council. It is rare for memorials to be been due to insensitive long closures at Christmas combined with vandalized, although damage has been caused by stones flu outbreaks increasing deaths. The highest number of deaths (perhaps thrown by mowers), bicycles leant against the occur in winter, and January in particular. We are aware of the headstone and items, perhaps garden tools, dropped on the distress caused by delays and we try to meet all funeral requests stone. If this concerns you and especially if you have purchased in 6 working days. If you feel that your funeral arrangement was an expensive memorial, you should consider an “All-Risks” unduly delayed, please let us know. insurance cover for memorials called “Stoneguard” through any memorial mason. EMBALMING This process, often called “Hygienic Treatment”, is carried out by INDEPENDENT (DIY) FUNERALS most funeral directors in order to temporarily preserve the body. It The majority of people use a funeral director to organise a funeral involves replacing the blood with a formaldehyde solution which is “package” on their behalf. This gives you the funeral directors known to be carcinogenic. If you are concerned about the environmental impact of this chemical following cremation or environment, and mud, stones, leaves, etc. naturally occur at burial, please speak to your funeral director. various times of the year, particularly after heavy rainfall. Please take care when walking on these surfaces. REDUCING BUREAUCRACY Croydon Council opposes unnecessary bureaucracy and is ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES sympathetic to personal needs. Regulations are being reviewed 1. Wreaths – we receive an estimated 70,000 wreaths each and reduced to a minimum. Ceramic photographs, nicknames, year, which have cost the bereaved £1,750,000. We currently personal inscriptions and humour are welcomed on inscriptions. send the old wreaths to landfill, which is an expensive operation. At Mitcham Road and Queen’s Road, memorials can be As they are constructed of plastic frames containing oasis, and produced in wood if desired. include cellophane bags, ribbons, etc. they will never bio-degrade. If you can use natural flowers without artificial materials we can GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE compost these and help the environment. Alternatively, you could A grievance procedure is available through the council and the state that just family flowers are preferred and ask mourners to Charter for the Bereaved. In the event that you are dissatisfied, donate to charities, the hospice, etc. This, by helping the please contact the Bereavement Services Manager as soon as community, is the ultimate caring decision and also makes possible. environmental sense. We have failed to find a partner, perhaps a special needs group, to re-cycle old wreaths. It was hoped to SERVICE QUALITY AWARDS clean off old wreath frames and re-sell these to the floristry trade, Croydon Council operates a staff award scheme (non-financial) the income being used entirely by the special needs group. following nominations by members of the public. If you consider you have received especially good service from one of our staff 2. Green Coffins & Shrouds – as stated earlier under and wish to nominate them, please request a form. Environmental Cremation, most coffins used today are made of materials that cause pollution . We now maintain a display of SPECIAL NEEDS coffins in cardboard, bamboo and wicker, as well as a re-usable We have a wheelchair available for use at both crematorium coffin cover, to illustrate what is on the market. We also have chapels. Seating can be arranged at graveside if required. A details of the “Ecopod”, an artistic coffin made of re-cycled toilet with wheelchair access is available at the crematorium and materials. All of these reduce our cremator emissions, which the at Greenlawn Memorial Park. There are toilets at Queen’s Road council are keen to promote, and have the added benefit of being cemetery, they do have wheelchair access, however they are low cost. Please contact us if you wish to view the coffin display. only open when a groundsman is on duty. If you have mobility problems and cannot visit our offices, we can provide a home There are also alternatives for burial, for instance a pure wool visit upon request. burial shroud to replace a coffin, or a “moses“ basket for a baby. For cremation, the body needs to be in a coffin or some form of This leaflet is printed in Arial 11 font, which is easier to read than rigid container. This is because of the way we place coffins in the most fonts. If you have difficulty reading this print we can provide cremator, which is at a very high temperature. Home made you with a large print copy or audio copy upon request. Hearing “green” coffins, provided their design and materials are agreed loop systems are fitted to both crematorium chapels and the with us in advance, are perfectly acceptable. burial chapel at Mitcham Road. 3. Conservation – Mitcham Road cemetery is already mapped BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING as a valuable London Wildlife site. In spring 2004, parts of We are not able to provide a counselling service. We can put Mitcham Road and Queen’s Road cemetery were designated you in touch with groups who can help such as CRUSE or the conservation zones. It is hoped these will re-create the “hay Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society. Other counselling or meadow” which existed on the site in the past. This will increase befriending services may be available – please contact us. wildflowers and yellow ants, the principal food for our resident green woodpeckers. Bird and bat boxes have been erected to WARNING – INCLEMENT WEATHER foster a wildlife friendly environment, which we recognise also Please note that in Winter we do not clear snow or treat frozen forms an ideal setting for funerals and bereaved visitors. An surfaces on crematorium lawns or on any graves. To do so environmental walk is now arranged each summer. Other would poison the grass. Only roads and paths to impending proposals are being formulated to increase composting, re-cycle funerals are salted or gritted and the majority of paths, roads and waste arising from grave visitors, and to conserve water. parking places can be covered with ice and snow. As anniversaries occur every day of the year and the bereaved feel 4. Mercury Abatement – the government are enforcing the a need to visit at such times, we never close our sites, even abatement of mercury arising from cremation. The mercury is in though snow and ice exist. Please exercise extreme care in the amalgam in teeth fillings and as the “baby boomers” have a Winter and avoid visits when ground conditions may result in a high numbers of fillings, emissions are set to rise each year until fall or some form of injury. All graves exist in a natural at least 2030. The mercury pollutes fish stocks in the North Sea. Croydon Council opted to fit abatement equipment in 2011/12 at a MEMORIAL SEATS cost in excess of £500,000. There is a shortage of seating at most cemeteries and at the crematorium. Please contact us if you wish to purchase a seat, 5. Metal Residue from Cremation – we now send all waste and you can arrange to meet staff to select a location. metal from the cremation process for recycling by a Dutch firm. Each year they will make a donation of a percentage of the profits DOGS IN THE GROUNDS & AT SERVICES to UK charities. Previously it was buried in the crematorium Please note that dogs are not allowed in our sites. This does not grounds but this is now prohibited. You can request the return of apply to guide dogs. We also accept dogs at funeral services any metal residue if you do not wish it to be re-cycled. where the deceased was the owner, or such attendance is meaningful to the bereaved. In such cases, an assurance that CONSULTATION ISSUES – we welcome your response to these the dog will not be walked and that any potential fouling will be issues: contained and removed off site, is requested.
1. The “Coffin Cover” – a new design of “re-usable” coffin has RESPONSE TO LETTERS & EMAILS been designed by a funeral director in Bradford. This comprises of We guarantee to respond to all contacts within 7 days at the an attractive outer casket enclosing a low-cost cardboard coffin. latest. As we are aware that many people worry whilst awaiting a The council has purchased one of these so that it can be response over a burial or cremation issue, we try to respond on evaluated and inspected by the public. It may be possible for this the same day or within a few days to every concern. coffin to be hired from the crematorium for use on a funeral. After the cremation service, the cardboard insert containing the body UNWANTED MAIL TO THE DECEASED would be cremated and the outer casket re-used repeatedly. This If continuing mail to the deceased upsets you, you can have this would be low cost and would save resources. It is also an ideal stopped through www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk or by solution for those people who feel a cardboard coffin is cheap and telephoning 0800 068 4433 between 9am and 5.30pm Monday undignified. If you feel you would support this type of service, or to Friday. This service is free. wish to inspect the coffin, please contact us. MORTUARY SERVICE 2. Municipal Funeral Service – Croydon Council are not The public mortuary is situated outside the cemetery gates on permitted by law to directly provide a funeral service. Proposals Thornton Road. The building contains refrigerated units, a post- are being considered to create a funeral specification and submit mortem room and a small viewing room. Two full time members this for tender to local funeral directing firms. This would be for the of staff are employed to complete 700 post mortems each year. provision of a standard traditional funeral at a ‘fixed’ price. This These are ordered by the Coroner and mostly occur because the funeral service would be advertised by the council but provided by deceased was not under medical care prior to death and the the successful funeral director. Evidence elsewhere in the UK cause of death is unknown. The remaining deaths are ones sub- suggests that if competitive tenders can be obtained, a ‘Croydon ject to investigation such as road accidents, drug related, or Council Funeral Service’ might prove less expensive than existing where the person died in suspicious circumstances. The bodies funerals. Please let us know your views on such a service. are retained in the mortuary under the coroners jurisdiction. Families and partners can view the deceased by arrangement 3. 7 Day Burial & Cremation Service – we do receive with the coroner. requests for funerals and the burial of cremated remains at weekends. We also need to meet religious demands at these RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING times. We do offer a Saturday Cremation service, unless this 1. The Natural Death Handbook (4th edition) coincides with a Bank Holiday weekend. Proposals to routinely Contact: 6, Blackstock Mews, Blackstock Road, London N4 2BT offer both burial and cremation services on Saturday and Sunday Tel: 020 7359 8391 (office hours: 9.30 – 5.30 Mon – Friday) have been considered but not approved in view of the cost. www.naturaldeath.org.uk
4. Friends Groups – we propose to form a Queen’s Road 2. Dead Good Funerals Book Cemetery Friends Group to consider the future of this attractive Contact: Engineers of the Imagination, Welfare State Internation- cemetery and green space. If you live near this cemetery and al, Lantern House, The Ellers, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 0AA would like to be considered, please contact us. Tel: 01229 581 127 www.welfare-state.org
3. Charter for the Bereaved A copy of the Charter can be borrowed free of charge from our offices. FUNERAL ADVISORY SERVICE BURIAL – MITCHAM ROAD (CROYDON) CEMETERY All free but stamped addressed envelope appreciated. Please * RECLAIMED GRAVES (ORDER LEAFLET NO. 14) order the leaflets by the number shown. If you have access to * RECLAIMED CREMATED REMAINS GRAVES (ORDER the internet, many can be requested via email. LEAFLET NO. 15) * TRAVEL DIRECTIONS (ORDER LEAFLET NO. 18.) 19. PLAN OF CEMETERY PREPARING FOR A FUNERAL 1. ADVANCED FUNERAL DIRECTIVE & INTRODUCTION CREMATION 2. COPY OF A LIVING WILL 20. QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT CREMATION 3. DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT BURIAL & CREMATION CHOOSING A FUNERAL DIRECTOR 21. TABLE OF FEES & CHARGES 4. INFORMATION ON USING A FUNERAL DIRECTOR (FROM THE CHARTER FOR THE BEREAVED) CREMATION MEMORIALS 22. MEMORIAL CHARGES ARRANGING A FUNERAL WITHOUT A FUNERAL DIRECTOR 23. COLUMBARIA RECORDIA PANELS 5. FAMILY ARRANGED BURIAL (DIY) IN CROYDON 24. GEMINI MEMORIAL NICHE 6. FAMILY ARRANGED CREMATION (DIY) IN CROYDON 25. MEMORIAL YORKSTONE PAVING 7. FUNERALS WITHOUT A FUNERAL DIRECTOR (FROM THE 26. BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE CHARTER FOR THE BEREAVED) 27. MEMORIAL LEATHER PANELS 28. ROSE GARDEN MEMORIALS DESIGNING A FUNERAL SERVICE 29. PLANS OF GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE 8. FORMAT OF A SECULAR FUNERAL SERVICE 30. PLAN OF EXTENSION GARDEN ROSEBEDS 9. POETRY FOR USE IN A FUNERAL SERVICE 31. PLAN OF EXTENSION GARDEN: YORKSTONE PAVING
BURIAL – GREENLAWN MEMORIAL PARK CHARTER FOR THE BEREAVED LEAFLETS 10. LEAFLET ON THE CEMETERY 32. COFFINS AND ALTERNATIVES 11. DETAILS OF MEMORIAL TABLETS 33. BURIALS IN PRIVATE LAND 12. LAWN TYPE GRAVE REGULATIONS 34. INSPECTION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 13. PLAN OF CEMETERY 35. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 36. INFORMATION ON EMBALMING BURIAL – QUEEN’S ROAD CEMETERY 14. DETAILS OF RECLAIMED GRAVES 15. DETAILS OF RECLAIMED CREMATED REMAINS GRAVES OPENING HOURS 16. CEMETERY HISTORY BOOKLET ALL SITES OPEN EVERY DAY - 9am to 5pm (Nov to Mar*) 17. PLAN OF CEMETERY - 9am to 7pm (Apr* to Oct) 18. TRAVEL DIRECTIONS TO CEMETERY OFFICE HOURS (Mon – Friday) - 9am to 4.30pm (*when the clocks change)
EVENTS FOR 2019 (all free of charge)
1. EASTER MEMORIAL SERVICE - Sun 14th April at 2.15pm in Crematorium East Chapel (tel. to reserve seat) 2. CEMETERY HERITAGE WALK (MITCHAM ROAD) - Wed 17th April at 1.30pm (meet outside Crematorium office) 3. KNOW YOUR FUNERAL RIGHTS (RITES) - Tue 14th May from 1.30pm to 4.30pm (telephone to reserve seat) 4. CEMETERY HERITAGE WALKS (QUEEN’S RD) - Fri 17th May at 1.30pm (meet by chapel on main drive) 5. CEMETERY HERITAGE WALK (MITCHAM ROAD) - Sat 22nd June at 4pm (meet outside Crematorium office) 6. CEMETERY HERITAGE WALK (QUEEN’S RD) - Wed 26th June at 1.30pm (meet by chapel on main drive) 7. KNOW YOUR FUNERAL RIGHTS (RITES) - Tue 8th Oct from 1.30pm to 4.30pm (telephone to reserve seat) 8. CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL SERVICE - Sun 8th Dec at 2.15pm in Crematorium East Chapel (tel. to reserve seat)
We are interested in expanding education on death and related issues. If you have a particular interest in such a topic, need us to participate in training, or need a speaker on bereavement, please let us know. There is no charge for such assistance, provided it is community focussed. Please note that you can make an appointment and inspect the crematorium or any of our sites whenever you wish. For further information or if you wish to respond to any items in this leaflet, please contact:
KEVIN PILKINGTON TEL: 020 8684 3877 HEAD OF BEREAVEMENT SERVICES FAX: 020 8689 7795 LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON EMAIL: [email protected] BEREAVEMENT SERVICES WEB: www.croydon.gov.uk CREMATORIUM OFFICE, MITCHAM ROAD Sat.Nav. postcode: CR0 3AA (Mitcham Road) CROYDON, CR9 3AT : CR7 6BB (Thornton Road)