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Cemetery and Crematorium Regulations - Section F: Crematorium
Cemetery and Crematorium Regulations - Section F: Crematorium
1. Cremation Services Times
Cremation services will take place from 9.00am at 40 minute intervals.
2. Booking a Cremation
Bookings by telephone or a personal visit can be made at Kingston Cemetery office between the hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. Telephone bookings by Funeral Directors may be made during 2 prescribed hours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (the telephone number for the out of hours booking service is supplied to Funeral Directors).
3. Hours
The hours prescribed for cremation services are 09.00 am to 4.20 pm Mondays to Fridays. If possible subject to staff availability, cremation services will be allowed by special arrangement and payment of an additional fee on a Saturday.
4 Forms and Certificates
All forms and certificates relating to each cremation must be delivered to the cemeteries and crematorium office by 9.00 am on the working day (Mon – Fri) preceding the cremation service in order that the Bereavement Services Manager can obtain the Authority to Cremate from the Medical Referee. The Council will accept no responsibility should a cremation service be postponed due to late arrival of forms and certificates and subsequent inability to obtain the Authority to Cremate.
5. Fees
The fees relating to cremation services must be submitted with the forms and certificates.
6. Pallbearers
The Funeral Director or other person responsible for organising a cremation service must provide a sufficient number of pallbearers to convey the coffin safely and reverently from the hearse or other vehicle onto the catafalque.
7. Coffin Construction
The construction of coffins should conform to the current specification issued by the National Association of Funeral Directors and Funeral Furnishings Manufacturers’ Association. In particular:
- Plastic linings must be of polyethylene (Cremfilm).
- The nameplate may be of polystyrene and must not weigh more than 90 gm's. (Ideally the nameplate will be manufactured from solid wood).
- All other exterior fittings should be of wood or polypropylene.
- Wadding, side linings and gowns should be of cellulose based fibre. The use of polyester or acrylic fibres should be avoided where possible.
- The use of polyvinyl chloride, pitch or bitumen is not permitted.
- Zinc or other metal linings are not permitted.
- Brass handles are not permitted.
8. Environmental Impact
The Council has a commitment to minimise environmental impact by better use of energy to reduce greenhouse gases and operates within the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Managements Guiding Principles of cremations being carried out no later than 72 hours from the funeral service.
9. Collection/Disposal of Cremated Remains
Unless special arrangements have been made when booking a cremation service a period of no sooner than 72 hrs should be allowed prior to making arrangements for collection/disposal of cremated remains.
10. Scatter Without Witness
For scatter without witness option or in the absence of instruction cremated remains will be retained in our care for a period of three months from the date of cremation and then reverently scattered in the gardens of remembrance.
11. Coffin Dimensions
The dimensions of coffins must not exceed:
LENGTH 203 cm's [7’ 0”] x WIDTH 76 cm's [2’ 6”] x DEPTH 69 cm's [2’ 3”]
12. Cremation Sceduling
Subject to the agreement of the bereaved and the provision by the Council of seemly and secure arrangements, cremations may take place on the next working day following committal at the crematorium. The purpose of this is to provide a service that conserves energy by allowing more than one or two cremations to take place in sequence.
13. Disposal of Cremated Remains
A form of authority for the disposal of cremated remains signed by the applicant for cremation must be submitted to the cemeteries and crematorium office. Only the written instructions of the applicant will be carried out and the applicant must give any change of instructions in writing.
14. Collection of Cremated Remains
Cremated remains may be left on temporary deposit at the crematorium pending the final written instructions of the applicant. No charge will be made for this service. After one month a letter will be sent to the applicant with regard a final decision on disposal. Should the applicant have not reached a decision he/she may request an extension to the period of deposit. Should an applicant not respond within 2 weeks of the date of the letter the cremated remains will be reverently scattered in the garden of remembrance in accordance with the Cremation Regulations 1930.
15. Legalities and Regulations
All cremations will be carried out in accordance with the Cremation Acts, the Cremations Regulations 1930 (and amendments) and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Revised March 2008