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Behind the scenes at the crematorium
Hayley O'Keeffe visits Norse Road Crematorium
A trip to the crematorium could be seen as a macabre way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
But for the crowds of people who visited the Norse Road Crematorium open day in Bedford on Sunday the chance to find out what goes on behind the scenes was just too intriguing to miss.
Our tour was led by bereavement officers Catherine Appleby and Samantha Grey, both trained cremators the pair explained how they are there though every step of the funeral journey.
And that journey started in the crematorium's multi-denominational chapel, a peaceful space with seating and artwork created by local craftsmen.
Families can tailor the service to suit the personality of their loved one. And some funerals at the crematorium have even included karaoke.
Ms Appleby said: "It is important for people to realise that cremation is not something awful, this is not a rushed process and people are not on a conveyor belt.
"No cremation proceedings begin until the relatives have left the chapel and they are welcome to stay in this area for as long as they like."
The next stage of the tour was into a tranquil back room where friends and relatives of the deceased congregate after the service.
We were then led behind the scenes where we learned how one body at a time is placed into one of three state-of-the-art cremation machines, up to ten bodies can be cremated a day.
This part of the crematorium also has a viewing area.
Ms Appleby said: "We have a special viewing bar so that people if they wish can watch the coffin go into the flames, this is particularly important in the Sikh religion."
It was clear that there is only room for one coffin inside each of the cremators dispelling a common misconception that more than one body is cremated at a time.
Once a coffin comes out of the chapel it is not opened. The coffin and all its contents are cremated, any metallic objects such as jewellery, watches, gold teeth and pace-makers are removed by the funeral directors prior to the service.
Flammable clothing such as football shirts and PVC items cannot be put into the cremator and neither can glass or bottles of alcohol.
The final stop on the journey was to the other side of the cremator where we saw some of the calcified bones, which are ground up to form the ashes given to the family.
We were shown a tray which contained a menagerie of metal, Ms Appleby explained that these are metal hip replacements, false knees and other medical fixtures which will be recycled to raise money for charity.
It seemed strange that somebody's false hip could become a drinks can after they had gone.
After cremation ashes are stored for up to 14 days to allow bereaved relatives to decide what they want to do with the remains.
When I first heard that the crematorium was having an open day my reaction was one of almost morbid curiosity.
But what I found on the tour was far from this, the by-word of Norse Road Crematorium is dignity, it is comforting to know that when we die, caring people will look after what is left behind.
Michael Day, registrar and company secretary of the crematorium, said: "There are a lot of myths surrounding cremation.
We run the open days to offer peace of mind and they are always very popular."
Crematoriums - the Q&A
Q: How common is cremation?
A: In the UK around 70 per cent of bereaved families have their loved one cremated. Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, Parsees and Budhists allow cremation but Orthodox Jews and Muslims forbid the practice.
Q: Is there more than one coffin cremated at a time?
A: No. The only exceptions to this rule are in the case of twins or a mother and baby.
Q: Is the coffin cremated with the body?
A: Yes. The code of cremation practice states that nothing must be removed from the coffin after it has been received from the chapel.
Q: How do I know the ashes of my loved one are in the urn?
A: Each coffin is given a unique reference number on arrival and an identity card is placed on the outside of the cremator as soon as the coffin is placed in.
Q: Can I do anything I like with my loved one's ashes?
A: Yes. It is the decision of the relatives how to dispose of the ashes.
For more information about Norse Road Crematorium call 01234 353701
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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