If you have chosen a cremation, you will need medical certificates. There will be charge for these. However, you do not need medical certificates if the death has been referred to a coroner.
If you use a funeral director, they will arrange for all the required paperwork to be completed and delivered to the crematorium office.
However, if you want to arrange the funeral yourself, the crematorium staff will be able to advise you as to which forms you will need.
Service/chapel
The crematorium offers two chapels, South chapel, which can accommodate approximately 44 seated, and West chapel, which can accommodate approximately 100 seated which are wheelchair accessible.
Both chapels are multi-denominational and can be used for non-Christian and Secular services. Symbols may be displayed or removed according to the persuasion of the bereaved.
The decor in both chapels is designed to create a comforting surrounding as friends and family join together in remembering and celebrating the life of a loved one.
There are toilets which can be accessed through the memorial chapel which is wheelchair accessible.
There are two small waiting rooms available.
Music and tribute
Music often holds special memories, and both our chapels are equipped with a Obitus music system, in addition there is an electronic organ in the south chapel and a pipe organ in the west chapel to accommodate your needs. The Obitus music system gives access to a vast library of hymns and recorded music which can be viewed online.
The system offers the opportunity, at an additional cost, to record services onto CD or DVD and for those family members who are unable to attend the service in person the system can be used to broadcast the service live via webcast.
Arranging a funeral yourself
To make a booking for a funeral, please contact the Bereavement team.
This makes sure that a provisional date and time is reserved for the funeral.
Please note: if the death is reported to the coroner it can often take more than 7 days before a cremation service can take place.
This is also the case when deaths occur at weekends and public holidays.
Organising the service
- the chapels can be used for religious and non-religious services
- you must tell the office how you want to organise your service
- if you choose, you can play music, read poetry and use musicians during the service
Our cremation services take place every weekday (Mon to Fri).
Cremation without full service
You may want to arrange a service in your own church or other meeting place before attending the crematorium chapel for a short ceremony.
You dont have to hold a service prior to a cremation if you choose. However you should still book a service time for the coffin to be brought into the chapel and onto the catafalque (coffin resting place) before entering the crematory.
The information you will need to book a cremation is:
- the date and time of the proposed service
- the name of the person who has died
- your name and contact telephone number
- your choice of any music you want played and whether an organist is needed
Once you have made a provisional booking you will be able to collect the forms you need from the crematorium office within 24 hours.
Please contact us if you have any queries.
After cremation
Choosing a final resting place
When you choose to have a funeral service at Southend crematorium, we will ask you what you would like to happen to the cremated remains. Any instruction must be authorised by the person who signs the cremation paperwork.
Once you have decided on a final resting place for your loved one’s remains, we will do everything that we can to assist you. You may want to take the remains from the crematorium. In which case, we will ensure the remains are in the appropriate container and that everything will be available on the day you want to collect them. Alternatively, a cremated remains plot can be purchased for the interment of remains in our cemetery. Approved stone memorials can be placed on the plot after interment.
Please see our memorial pages for more information.
Internment of ashes
Scattering of ashes
The law on scattering ashes in the UK is fairly relaxed. You can scatter ashes over land or water, but you first need to get permission from the land owner.
Some popular examples include:
- football grounds
- Southend Pier
- National Parks
- Woodland Trusts
- RSPB Reserves
We do not allow for ashes to be scattered or interred in our formal parks and open spaces.
If you choose to scatter in a river or the sea, you should consult the Environment Agency's guide Funeral practices, spreading ashes and caring for the environment.
You should follow their guidance as their jurisdiction is 5 miles from the coast.
Contact us on 01702 215015 for more information if you want to inter ashes in the cemetery or crematorium grounds or contact the Visitor Information Centre on 01702 215620 for further information if you want to scatter ashes from the end of the pier.