A Complete Guide to Our Cremation Service

Choosing a cremation for a loved one is a very personal decision. At Hillier Funeral Service, we are here to support you with caring guidance and professional expertise throughout the entire process.

We understand this is a difficult time, and our goal is to make all the necessary arrangements as simple and straightforward as possible.

What is Cremation?

Cremation is a process where the body of the deceased is respectfully reduced to ashes (cremated remains) using intense heat. These ashes are then presented to the family.

It is a widely chosen option that offers flexibility, allowing you to hold a service or memorial that truly reflects your loved one's life. We can guide you through every step, from the necessary paperwork to the final resting place of the ashes.

Before the Cremation Service

Before the cremation service can go ahead, there are various legal documents and forms that need to be completed . We are on hand to assist you with all of these arrangements and help you complete the paperwork.

• You will need to provide all the required paperwork before the service goes ahead.
• Our compassionate team is on hand to assist you with all these arrangements, making sure the paperwork is completed correctly and guiding you through the process.

The Cremation Service Itself

The cremation service provides a vital opportunity to say goodbye. You have the freedom to choose a service that feels right for you and your family.

Service choices:

• Service Type: The service can be religious, non-religious, or you may choose to have no formal service at all.
• Venues: The service is typically held at the crematorium, or you can hold a service in a separate location beforehand, such as a church, followed by a ceremony at the crematorium.
• Who Will Lead the Service: The service is typically led by a minister or celebrant. You are welcome to arrange this for yourself, or your Hillier funeral director can help find a suitable person to lead the service.

Service Duration and Time

A typical cremation service is carefully timed to ensure it does not impact the funeral service before or after.

• Standard Timings: The typical duration is 45 minutes. This allows enough time for the congregation to enter the chapel, hold the service, and for everyone to leave without feeling rushed.
• Longer Services: If you require a longer service time to accommodate more readings or speakers, this is possible for an additional charge.

Local Crematoria Serving Swindon

As a local family-run funeral director, we have strong, trusted relationships with both crematoria that serve the Swindon and North Wiltshire communities. We will make all the necessary arrangements at your preferred location.

The two main crematoria we work with are:

• Kingsdown Crematorium: Located in Swindon (Kingsdown Road, SN25 6SG).
• North Wiltshire Crematorium: Located just outside of Swindon in Royal Wootton Bassett (Swindon Road, SN4 8ET).

We can discuss the facilities, available times, and local feel of each location to help you choose the best setting for your loved one's service.

The Committal

The end of the service is known as the committal. It is the final moment before a coffin is removed from sight, serving as a last goodbye for mourners.

• The Final Moments: This intimate part of a funeral can include prayers, readings, or music, and it concludes with the coffin being taken from view, often by closing a curtain or lowering it from sight.
• Remaining on View: If your family prefers the coffin to remain on view until everyone has left, your funeral director can arrange this for you.

After the service:

Once the service is over, we will gently guide the family out of the chapel first, followed by the other mourners.

• Viewing Floral Tributes: This is a good time to take a few moments to view the floral tributes. Your funeral director will collect the condolence cards so you can read them at a later time.
• Thanking Guests: The family can also take this time to thank people for attending, particularly those who are not attending the wake.

The Cremation Process

The cremation itself is carried out with utmost professionalism and respect by the team at the crematorium. It usually takes place on the same day as the service, typically within a few hours.

We follow a strict, regulated process to ensure dignity and accuracy:

1. Identity Check: The coffin is taken into a secure room where the nameplate is carefully checked.
2. Identification Card: An identity card is attached to the cremator with the coffin inside, which stays with the ashes until they leave the crematorium, providing an unbroken chain of custody.
3. The Coffin: The coffin is always cremated with the body according to the Cremation Code of Practice.Nothing can be removed from the coffin after it is received from the Service Chapel and it must be placed in the cremator exactly as received.

After the Cremation

Once the cremation service has taken place, we are still here to support you.

We understand the importance of finding a meaningful final resting place for your loved one and we’ll guide you through the options for laying the ashes to rest and choosing a suitable memorial or the scattering of the ashes

What to do With Ashes:

• Gardens of Remembrance: The ashes can be scattered at the crematorium in a peaceful and tranquil garden, offering a space for quiet reflection.
• Family Grave: You may choose to have the ashes laid to rest in a family grave in a churchyard or cemetery.
• Other Choices: We can discuss other highly personal options, such as keeping the ashes at home in a beautiful urn, scattering them in a special location, or transforming them into a memorial keepsake or piece of jewellery.

Talk to Us – We Are Here to Help

Arranging a cremation for a loved one can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone.

At Hillier Funeral Service, our family is here to support yours. We offer caring, professional guidance every step of the way, from the initial paperwork to discussing memorial options.

We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We are committed to helping you create a dignified and meaningful farewell that truly honours your loved one.

Please contact Hillier Funeral Services on 01793 522797 to speak with one of our compassionate team members.