Funeral Cremation

The crematorium was opened in Carlisle in 1956. Over 70,000 cremations have occurred since then, and around 1500 cremations take place each year.

Cremation services occur Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, with 40 minutes reserved for each ceremony. This is to enable each funeral to arrive, the ceremony to occur, and everyone to leave without seeing another funeral. Extra time can be requested without further charge.

A religious or non-religious (civil) service can be arranged, and we have an organist available at every ceremony. CD's can be used, and some people bring musicians or singers, or perhaps read poetry.  It is important to note that you can do whatever you wish. There is no legal necessity to hold a service and some people entirely dispense with this.

During the ceremony, the coffin rests on the "catafalque" (a stage upon which a royal coffin used to be placed) and a committal usually occurs. We have both a net and velvet curtain which can be drawn as part of the committal. Alternatively, if you find the committal upsetting, the curtains can be left open and you can see the coffin, for the final time, just before you leave the chapel.

Two cremators are operated that comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990, in order to reduce air pollution. In view of our concern , we ask people not to use plastics, PVC and any materials that causes pollution. The deceased can be dressed or shrouded in clothing of natural materials, but rubber soled shoes should be avoided.