Choosing Between Burial And Cremation

Begin by looking for any written funeral wishes, prepaid funeral plan or conversations the person may have had with relatives. You may also consider whether they wanted a permanent grave, preferred their ashes to be kept or scattered, or followed a faith with particular customs.

Practical matters may include cemetery availability, funeral costs and whether a family grave can be used. You do not need to decide alone; we can answer questions and give you time to consider what feels most appropriate.

A cremation funeral may take place entirely at a crematorium, or there may be a church or another service beforehand. At the crematorium, the coffin is brought into the chapel and placed on a platform called a catafalque. The ceremony may include music, readings, prayers, a eulogy and quiet reflection before the committal.

At the committal, curtains may close around the coffin, although this can sometimes be adapted to the family’s wishes and the facilities available. The cremation takes place privately afterwards, and the applicant provides instructions about what should happen to the ashes.

A burial funeral can be held in a church, cemetery chapel, at the graveside or across more than one location. A church service may include hymns, prayers, readings and a tribute. The coffin is then taken to the cemetery or churchyard for the committal.

At the graveside, the person leading the ceremony says the final words as the coffin is lowered or placed ready for burial. Family members may be invited to place a flower or a small amount of earth into the grave. We remain present to guide mourners and coordinate each stage.

The length of a cremation service depends on the chapel and the time booked. At Stourbridge Crematorium, the standard service time is 30 minutes, with a double slot available during much of the year.

Timings differ between venues, so we will confirm what is available.
There is no fixed length for a burial service. A graveside-only ceremony may be brief, while a church funeral followed by travel to a cemetery and a separate committal will take longer. Enough time can be allowed for meaningful music, readings and tributes.

Yes. Ashes can be collected by the applicant or, where arranged, by us. They may be kept in an urn, buried in a grave or cremated-remains plot, placed in a memorial, or scattered somewhere meaningful. You do not need to decide immediately.

Permission may be needed before ashes are scattered or buried in a cemetery, churchyard, crematorium garden or on land belonging to someone else. We can check the rules and help arrange any paperwork.

A family grave may be reopened if there is enough space and the correct burial rights and permissions are in place. The cemetery will check its records, and the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial may be required. If the registered owner has died, the rights may need to be transferred before the grave can be used again.

At N E Downing, we can contact the cemetery, help locate the grave details and explain any documents required. Whether you choose burial or cremation, our caring team will help you arrange a respectful farewell that feels right for your family.