Attended Direct Cremations

The intention behind an Attended Direct Cremation is to allow families — who might otherwise book an unattended Direct Cremation — to be present, and to spend a few minutes listening to music in quiet reflection before releasing their loved one to be cremated.

In order to provide this option at Rushcliffe Oaks, we have to arrange the bookings a little differently to other crematoriums:

• Due to a planning restriction on attended events before 9.30am, our Attended Direct Cremations have to be accommodated into our normal cremation service slots - so 9.30am, 10.45am, 12.00pm, 1.15pm, 2.30pm, or 3.45pm.

• Given that these are also the times for our full services though, we can only take bookings for Attended Direct Cremations up to 5 working days in advance (eg. on or after a Wednesday for the following Wednesday).

Our Attended Direct Cremations are priced at the same cost as our unattended Direct Cremations, effectively making them chargeable only for the cremation element of a normal full booking. As such, they do not allow for many of the Ceremony Hall elements that are available in a standard service or committal booking.

• The time allocation in the Ceremony Hall is for a maximum of 15 minutes.
• The option of rearranging seating for smaller gatherings is not made available for Attended Direct Cremations.
• The booking may include up to three pieces of music - entry music, exit music, and the option of a reflection piece in between. All three may be chosen by the family, though the combined length of the music must adhere to the 15 minute restriction.
• Significantly, the booking does not allow for a celebrant, family member, or any other attendee to make a speech, read a poem, or give a eulogy, etc. If this kind of content is added on the day, the booking will be charged as a normal service.
• A single photo may be displayed on the screen. No other visual tributes are permitted.
• The lights can be faded as the exit music starts.

During the booking, the Crematorium Attendant on duty in the Ceremony Hall will start each piece of music, leaving a suitable length of quietness between, as appropriate. They will then accompany the Funeral Director to the catafalque, before opening the exit doors, as in a standard funeral service. The Funeral Director is requested to assist in guiding the attendees to depart to the flower court in a timely manner.

If you have any questions relating to any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact the Rushcliffe Oaks team.