Cremation
If you are going to have a cremation for someone who has died, you'll need to think about things like paperwork, getting in touch with the crematorium and deciding what to do with the ashes.
What cremation forms or certificates will I need?
You will need to complete some specific forms for a cremation. The funeral director and crematorium manager can explain if you're not sure which forms you need. The procedure is similar in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but slightly different in Scotland.
Cremation forms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the forms used most often include:
Application for cremation of the body of a person who has died
The funeral or crematorium staff can help you fill it in. The crematorium will usually also have its own form requesting instructions for the ashes.
Registrar's certificate for burial or cremation (also known as the green form)
The registrar will have given you this form when you registered the death. You need to give this to the funeral director or crematorium.
Doctors' forms
A doctor signs the medical certificate of cause of death free of charge.
In England and Wales when a person is cremated, the doctor who treated them last fills out another form. This doctor is usually the same doctor who signed the 'medical certificate of cause of death'. In Northern Ireland, a second form needs to be signed by a different doctor.
You will need to pay for this form (or the two forms for Northern Ireland). If you're using a funeral director, they can arrange it and the cost will be part of their disbursements. Disbursements are the payments they make to others on your behalf.
Certificate of coroner
If there is a coroner's investigation into the cause of death, you will need the coroner's permission for the cremation to take place and this is provided with this certificate. It then replaces the green form and the doctor's form in England and Wales.
Authorisation of cremation of person who has died by medical referee
The crematorium medical referee issues this form. It authorises the cremation to proceed.
Crematorium forms in Scotland
In Scotland, the forms most commonly used are:
- Application for cremation of an adult or a child (Form A1). The funeral director or crematorium can help you fill it in.
- Certificate of registration of death (Form 14). Issued by the registrar following registration of the death.
- Procurator fiscal's certificate (Form E1). Issued by the procurator fiscal when they have investigated the death and have released the body for cremation.
How does cremation work? Things to know
It's important to check with the funeral director, or crematorium staff, about these things:
- If you're organising the funeral, check when the crematorium will need the forms by. If you're using a funeral director, they'll do this. The crematorium will probably need the forms at least 48 hours before the service. Staff at the crematorium will then review the forms and authorise cremation.
- There may be restrictions on what you can put in the coffin of someone who is being cremated. Prohibited items could include glass, metal, plastic or PVC. Clothing made of natural fibres is usually OK. The funeral director or crematorium staff can advise you.
Pacemakers and other types of implant
If the person who died had a pacemaker or other type of implant, this may need to be removed before cremation. The funeral director or crematorium staff can advise. Some implants need deactivation before they're removed, so you may also need medical help with this.
Who can collect the ashes from the funeral director?
If you are using a funeral director, they will often collect the ashes on behalf of the family. They can then be collected from them (or from the crematorium) by the person who applied for the cremation.
What can I do with the ashes after a cremation?
You can tell the crematorium what you want to do with the ashes. The person who died may have said what they wanted to happen. But if you're not sure, the crematorium or the funeral director may be able to store them for a period while you decide what to do.
There are different options for what to do with the ashes:
- Scatter them in the crematorium's Garden of Remembrance. If there are no other instructions for the ashes, this is usually what will happen. The crematorium needs your permission first.
- Scatter them in a meaningful place – for example, a garden, the sea, or somewhere you visited together (check whether you need approval).
- Arrange for the ashes to be kept in a mausoleum or buried in a graveyard or family plot in a cemetery.
- Keep them at home in a casket or urn
Read our blog Five things no one tells you about scattering someone's ashes.
Getting support
Having to organise a cremation when you are also grieving, can be difficult. If you need emotional support or information about any of the practical things you need to do after someone has died, you can contact the Marie Curie Support Line for free on 0800 090 2309.
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About this information
This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. We suggest that you consult with a qualified professional about your individual circumstances. Read more about how our information is created and how it's used.
