The decision whether to have a burial or cremation will depend on ...

• the religion of the deceased,
• the wishes of the next of kin
• the costs involved.

It should be noted that the wishes of the family can over-ride the wish of the deceased when deciding on the type of funeral. In some exceptional cases the coroner (Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) will decide whether a cremation can take place or not.

Cremation

No one can be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known. Five forms are usually required by the crematorium. These forms are issued by the crematorium and are available from the funeral director (these forms will vary when the coroner is involved). They have to be completed before the cremation can take place. They are:

• An application form to be signed by the executor or next of kin.
• Two cremation certificates (forms B & C). Form B is completed by the doctor who looked after the deceased prior to death. Form C is again completed by a doctor but one who is not related to or in practice with the first doctor. A charge will be made for completing these forms. These forms will not be required at the crematorium if the coroner decides to hold a post-mortem examination.
• A fourth certificate is signed by the medical referee at the crematorium who has the power to refuse the cremation, require a post-mortem examination or refer the matter to the coroner. The charge for this form is usually included in the cremation fee.
• The certificate for disposal (green in colour and usually referred to as "the Green Certificate" by funeral directors to avoid saying the word 'disposal'). This certificate is issued by the Register Office. If the Coroner holds a post-mortem examination the 'Green Certificate' will be replaced by a form issued by the coroner. This certificate is yellow in colour and also replaces the 'two cremation certificates'.

The cremated remains (the ashes)

When the funeral committal service is over in the crematorium chapel the cremation will take place shortly afterwards. Each coffin is cremated individually and after each cremation the cremated remains are removed and kept separately so that each family receives the remains of their relative. If required these are usually available for collection the next working day and can be:

• Placed in the Garden of Remembrance at the crematorium. This procedure varies from place to place. For further information contact a local funeral director or the crematorium directly.
• Kept by the relatives.
• Interred in a new or existing family grave.
• Scattered in a place deemed as appropriate by the family or as requested by the deceased prior to death.

Burial

If the family decide, or the deceased expressed a wish for burial as the most appropriate option and there is a grave in existence, the grave number and section will be required and is usually on the grave deeds. If the grave deeds cannot be located, the cemetery will usually be able to find the grave from their records. To do this they will need to know in which cemetery the burial took place, when it took place, who was buried in the grave and whether or not there is a headstone on the grave.

The Funeral Director will check with the cemetery and make sure there is room in the grave for a further interment.

If there is no grave in existence and a new grave is required, again this can be arranged directly with the cemetery or through the funeral director. New graves are expensive and the costs can increase significantly in some areas if the deceased lived outside the cemetery authority's boundary. The family organising the purchase of a new grave should know what costs are before finalising the funeral arrangements.

Burials in churchyards are subject to rules and regulations of the church authority concerned. These rules are often very strict in relation to the type of headstone or memorial that can be placed on the grave following the funeral. The restrictions on churchyard memorials may include no black granite or polished memorials and can extend to what is written on the headstone. Those responsible for the funeral arrangements should be aware of what memorial restrictions are enforced before the interment takes place to avoid any unnecessary distress later on.

Burial certification

Before burial can be allowed to take place the certificate for disposal (the Green Certificate from the Register Office) must be handed to the cemetery registrar. This would normally be done by the funeral director. This certificate is also issued (for burial only) when the Coroner holds a post-mortem examination.