Cremation Policy

Location: Lake View Bereavement Centre, Chatteris Road, Mepal, ELY, CB6 2AZ
Facility: Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials
Council: East Cambridgeshire District Council
Policy Owner: Crematorium and Bereavement Service Manager
Effective Date: March 2026
Review Date: March 2028
Version: 1.0

Policy statement

Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials is committed to providing cremation services at Lake View Bereavement Centre that are delivered with dignity, respect, compassion, and professionalism. Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials recognise the importance of maintaining the highest standards of care for the deceased and their families and ensures that all cremations are carried out lawfully, ethically, and transparently.

This policy sets out Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials approach to the cremation process and provides assurance to families, funeral directors, and stakeholders that services are delivered in accordance with legislation, national guidance, and recognised best practice within the bereavement sector.

Scope

This policy applies to:

all cremations carried out at Lake View Bereavement Centre
all Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials employees involved in cremation services
contractors and partner organisations acting on behalf of Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials

This policy should be read in conjunction with related bereavement policies, including the Infant Cremation and Ashes Policy and the Ashes Policy.

Legislative and professional framework

Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials deliver cremation services in compliance with all relevant legislation and guidance, including but not limited to:

Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 (as amended)
environmental permitting and emissions regulations
Health and Safety at Work legislation

Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials align its practices with guidance and standards promoted by professional and representative bodies, including:

Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)
Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA)
Cremation Society of Great Britain (CSGB)

Principles of service delivery

Cremation services at Lake View Bereavement Centre are delivered in accordance with the following principles:

dignity and respect, very individual in Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials care will be treated with dignity at all times.
transparency and accountability, clear processes and records ensure confidence and trust in service delivery.
compassionate support, families will be supported sensitively throughout their interaction with the service.
equality and inclusion, services are delivered in a manner that respects faith, belief, culture, and personal choice.

Application for cremation

Cremations will only take place following receipt and verification of all required statutory documentation. Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials will ensure that:

applications for cremation are completed correctly and checked for accuracy
the role and authority of the Applicant for Cremation are clearly established
any statutory or procedural requirements are satisfied prior to acceptance

No cremation will proceed unless all legal requirements have been met.

Identification and care of the deceased

Robust identification procedures are maintained throughout the cremation process to ensure the integrity of every individual cremation. This includes:

verification of identity upon receipt at the crematorium
secure and traceable identification at all key stages
checks prior to cremation and prior to the release of ashes

These procedures ensure that the deceased and their ashes are correctly identified at all times.

Cremation process

All cremations are carried out individually unless a shared cremation has been expressly authorised.

Cremations will be undertaken only by trained and authorised crematorium staff in accordance with approved operational procedures. The cremation process is managed to ensure dignity, control, and compliance with legal and environmental requirements.

Ashes

For the purposes of this policy, ashes (also referred to as cremated remains) are defined as all material remaining following the cremation process, after the removal of any metals.

Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials detailed arrangements for the recovery, care, retention, and disposal of ashes are set out in the Ashes Policy and, where applicable, the Infant Cremation and Ashes Policy. These policies form an integral part of the Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials approach to cremation services and should be read alongside this document.

Disposal of ashes

Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials will act only on the written instruction of the Applicant for Cremation, or another person formally authorised by the Applicant.

Where no instruction is received, ashes will be retained and managed in accordance with Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials policy, with appropriate notice given to the Applicant prior to any disposal by scattering or burial within the crematorium grounds.

Shared cremations

Where a shared cremation has been authorised, Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials will ensure that the same standards of dignity, care, and professionalism are applied throughout the process.

Arrangements for the recovery and disposition of ashes following shared cremations are detailed within the Infant Cremation and Ashes Policy.

Equality, faith and cultural considerations

Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials is committed to providing cremation services that are inclusive and respectful of religious, cultural, and personal beliefs. Reasonable adjustments will be made wherever practicable to accommodate individual requirements.

Record keeping and audit trail

All cremations are formally recorded in statutory cremation registers maintained at Lake View Bereavement Centre. Records, including applications, certificates, and registers, are retained in accordance with legal requirements and Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials policy.

These procedures ensure a clear and auditable record from the receipt of cremation instructions through to the final disposition of ashes.

Roles and responsibilities

The following outlines the roles and responsibility of the crematorium staff.

Crematorium and Bereavement Services Manager

Overall responsibility for policy implementation, compliance, and review and for the day-to-day delivery of cremation services in line with this policy.

Crematorium staff

Responsibility for adhering to procedures, maintaining professional standards, and treating all families and the deceased with dignity and respect. All staff employed in the operation of cremators must be suitably trained in the technical and ethical procedures.

Complaints and enquiries

Families or representatives with questions or concerns regarding cremation services are encouraged to contact the Crematorium and Bereavement Service Manager. Complaints will be handled in accordance with Lake View Bereavement Centre, Crematorium and Burials procedure.

Monitoring, review and governance

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued compliance with legislation, professional guidance, and best practice. Any amendments will be approved in accordance with East Cambridgeshire District Council’s governance arrangements.