Funeral & Cremation Services

The Chapel

The Crematorium chapel/ceremony hall has seating for 94 people downstairs and 36 people in the gallery. There is also standing room in the entrance hall.  Within the Chapel there are fresh flowers on display and two further silk displays. All are in white and green.

There are two service times available at 9.00 and 9.30 which are thirty minutes and are at a reduced fee.

From Monday to Friday services take place at forty minute intervals from 10am to 4.40 pm.  The forty minutes includes the time it takes for to people to takes their seats in the chapel and to leave the chapel.

We advise people to have a double service time (80 minutes) if for example you are expecting a large number of people to attend (over 75 people) and when there is likely to be many personal tributes, several pieces of music and/or hymns.  The officiant, who is taking your service and/or the Funeral Director can advise you. Please be mindful if your service overruns it has an impact on all services following that day, which can cause upset to other bereaved families.

Longer service times may also be arranged.  If this is required,  please speak to your Funeral Director or a member of our staff.

Saturday and Sunday service times may also be available.  This will depend on the availability of staff.  However, most requests can usually be met.  We do not offer services on bank holidays.

Words & Music

There are no restrictions on how you use your time in the chapel and you are free to have any prayers, readings, poetry and eulogies that you feel will be most appropriate.

Choosing a funeral director

You may find the information on the Good Funeral Guide, which is a non-for-profit organisation that exists to support, empower and represent the interests of dying and bereaved people in the UK.

When choosing a Funeral Director it is important to ensure that you are able to discuss your personal requirements and have different options explained.   You can ask a Funeral Director to supply an itemised estimate of what the charges will be.  By asking for an estimate it does not mean you have to use them, and you can contact several Funeral Directors for estimates.

Advice on costs be found at the Money Advice Service

Many of the Funeral Directors that regularly use Mortlake Crematorium have signed the Fair Funerals Pledge, which means they; -

• Recognise funerals can be expensive and many people struggle with the cost
• Make their most affordable funeral package visible to the public, including third parts costs
• Charge clear prices for goods and services so people know what they are buying.  Communicate prices in initial conversations and prominently display full prices lists.  For further information www.fairfuneralscampaign.org.uk

Do ask your Funeral Director if they have signed the Fair Funerals Pledge

You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you're arranging.  For further information https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

If you are worried about paying for a funeral you can contact Down to Earth which is a Charity project of Quaker Society Action .  You can phone in confidence on 020 8983 5055 or email downtoearth@qsa.org.uk

To help you choose which funeral director to use it is worth noting that some are members of professional organisations, who may operate a code of conduct and a complaints procedure.

For more information, visit:

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)

The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)

If you have cause to complain about a Funeral Director you can contact Trading Standards.  To find your nearest trading standards office to your postcode please visit Trading Standards Advice UK.

Arranging a funeral yourself

Funerals do not have to be arranged with the services of a Funeral Directors.  However, if you are arranging a funeral yourself you still need to:

• Get a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Certificate (MCCD)  from the doctor at the GP surgery or hospital
• Register the death in the district where the death occurs
• Complete and submit the required legal forms for cremation (please contact us to discuss exactly what is needed).
• Pay the fees to the doctor/hospital, Register office and Cremation Authority

You will also need to consider and arrange the following:

• Where the body will be from the time of death to the time of the funeral service
• A coffin suitable for cremation
• Who/how will place the body into a coffin
• Transport of the coffin to the Crematorium
• At the Crematorium you will need enough people to carry the coffin and place it on the catafalque in the chapel