Before the service
Mourners will normally gather at the crematorium close to the entrance to the chapel for a few minutes before the appointed time of the funeral service.
During the service
The service normally takes 20 minutes, unless extra time has been booked in advance.
When the principal mourners are ready to proceed, the coffin is usually brought into the chapel by bearers from the funeral director or the family. While it is being placed on the catafalque (raised platform), the mourners take their seats and the service proceeds.
When the committal takes place, the coffin will be obscured from view by the closing of the curtains and the coffin will pass through the catafalque door into the committal room adjacent to the chapel.
There is an option of leaving the coffin on view until all the mourners have left the chapel, and this should be agreed with the funeral director and officiate.
After the service
The cremation will take place as soon as possible after the service. However, this can be up to 72 hours after the service in extreme circumstances.
Funeral tributes are removed before the crematorium is open to the public.
| Services held on | Funeral tributes removed on |
|---|
| Monday | 7am on the Thursday |
| Tuesday | 7am on the Friday |
| Wednesday to Friday | 7am on the Monday |
Please note: Breakspear Crematorium cannot be held responsible for any floral tributes places within the grounds.