Category: Blog

When did cremation start in the UK?

Although cremation is now the most common type of funeral in the UK, this definitely wasn’t always the case. Up until the 19th century, cremations were frowned upon by the Christian Church, which saw the practice as pagan and incompatible with the belief in the resurrection of the body. Attitudes towards cremation started changing towards the end of the Victorian era. The high costs of Victorian funerals, the growing population of cities, the number of burials associated with them, rapidly filling cemeteries, and health and sanitation concerns all contributed to people viewing cremation as a more viable option. In 1874, ... Read more

Can you cremate someone yourself? (Home cremations)

While we don’t get a lot of enquiries about cremating someone at home, it’s still something that some people have questions about. Continue reading to find out more about the legality and practicality of cremating someone at home or in the garden. Can you cremate someone yourself? Trying to cremate someone yourself would be a serious violation of a whole range of UK laws and regulations regarding the disposal of human remains. Even in the best-case scenario where the deceased in question specifically requests it in their will, you would still be breaking the law and be subject to a ... Read more

Cremation vs. burial statistics UK

With cremation becoming officially becoming legal in 1902, more accepted during The Great War, and finally surpassing traditional burials in 1968, there’s a lot of interest in how cremation statistics stack up to traditional burials in the UK. We’ve gathered some of the more important figures in one place for you to learn more about this increasingly common practice. Cremation vs. burial statistics UK Consult the charts below to see how cremation has become an ever-increasingly popular option in the UK over the last 120 years. An immediately apparent conclusion is that cremation became increasingly common over the last 120 ... Read more

Cremation timelines

This short article will help you get a better idea of the timelines typically involved with cremation. How long after the funeral is the body cremated? This question doesn’t have a single defining answer. Under normal circumstances, the body is cremated as soon as possible after the funeral, and usually within the same day. But this could be extended for a number of reasons – cremation facilities might not be immediately available, or the funeral may have taken place in a venue separate from the crematorium and may therefore delay the cremation. How long after the funeral are the ashes ... Read more

Common questions about cremation

It’s not unusual to have questions about cremation. People deal with death and the grief of losing a loved one in different ways, and having accurate information about the cremation process and what it entails can bring some relief and understanding. Are cremated ashes really of the person? Yes. During the cremation process, all organic matter such as skin, muscle tissue, and organs is completely consumed and vaporised by the intense heat. The deceased clothes and coffin –usually heavy-duty corrugated cardboard or wood if they choose to be cremated in a coffin– all completely burn up, leaving no trace or ... Read more

How Long Does It Take To Collect The Ashes After Cremation?

Bereaved families often have many questions about what to expect with regard to collecting the ashes of a deceased loved one. While most funeral directors and crematoria follow fairly similar protocols, this article will help you understand the process and timelines at Sussex Funeral Services a little bit better. How long does it take to collect the ashes after cremation? At Sussex Funeral Services, we strive to have the ashes of your loved one ready for collection at our office in Hove as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, this means that you’ll be able to pick them up 48-72 ... Read more

How to Choose a Reputable Funeral Director

Here is our own personal take on what you might wish to consider when choosing your Funeral Director, for an alternative perspective you may also download this list of questions from the Natural Death Society First of all, think about what type of funeral are you considering for either your loved one or for yourself.  In fact, the following advice could be either for your loved one or for yourself, but for the sake of ease, let’s assume it’s a funeral for your loved one, which most are! Are You Looking For a Simple Funeral? If you wish to have ... Read more

Japanese Funeral Practices

Japan has a cremation rate of over 99%, the highest of any country in world. Some local governments even ban traditional burials. This was not always the case – before World War II, cremation was only practised by the very rich, but after the positives of cremation, including its efficiency and cleanliness, became recognised, cremation rates rose across the country. While many may think that cremation limits one’s options for a funeral service, Japan has taken the opportunity to create lavish and memorable services, so that Japan also has one of the highest average funeral costs in the world. A ... Read more

Vulgar Parrots and Firing Ashes into Space: Surprising Last Rites

Everyone hopes that their funeral will go to plan, but sometimes that just isn’t the case. Take Andrew Jackson, for instance. The seventh president of the United States, Jackson was known for his cutthroat politics and nasty language. His vulgarity had an impact on his parrot, Poll, who was such a close companion of Jackson’s that he asked the parrot to attend his funeral in 1845. Unfortunately, the parrot swore so much throughout the ceremony that he had to be removed. One mourner, Rev William Norment, said the parrot had been incited by the loud sobs of Jackson’s slaves and ... Read more

The Bizarre and Wonderful: Unusual Caskets

Not many have heard of a cardboard coffin, and still fewer realize that they’re taking the world of the modern funeral – particularly amongst the rich and famous – by storm.  Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper was laid to rest in a cardboard casket, but it’s hardly just fictional characters that are choosing this eco-friendly (if quickly deteriorating) material for their final resting place. 68-year-old actress Joanna Lumley, for one, wants to be buried in a cardboard coffin just as her parents were. “I love a cardboard coffin. Both Mummy and Daddy went off in cardboard coffins, painted – Daddy’s was ... Read more

Main Office: 01273 736469

Mobile: 07789 174453

We realise that arranging a funeral can be one of the most challenging things you will ever have to do for your loved one. Click here to find out why you should consider using our company.

Useful Links

Bereavement Advice Centre
Brighton & Hove Council Bereavement Services
Brighton & Hove Coroner
Brighton Registry Office
East Sussex Coroner
East Sussex Registry Office
National Find A Will Service
Privacy Policy

TESTIMONIALS

“Dear Phil, As a family, we are writing to thank you and all working alongside you, for your kindness, support, advice and the professional shown while arrange my mum, Rose's funeral. This was an extremely distressing time which was eased knowing you were taking care of mum and the appropriate arrangements. ”

View more testimonials

Brighton Funeral Directors is the trading name of Sussex Funeral Services Limited | Copyright 2017

Registered Business Address: Preston Park House, South Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 6SB Shop Address: 185 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QJ