Funeral Services
Cremations are booked through a Funeral Director. Services last 45 minutes for a single slot or 90 minutes for a double slot. You should factor in the time it takes to get in and out of the Chapel when planning your service as there is no gap between services. There are two 30 minute slots available at the start of each day which are charged at a lower rate but only 25 people can attend these.
Your Funeral Director should be able to advise on the service, celebrants, music and will know (and organise) all the paperwork required but we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please call us on 020 8969 0152 if you have any questions at all about the service or procedure of cremation.
Chapels
There are two chapels, both suitable for the services of all religions available to book for cremation or memorial services.
East Chapel
The East Chapel has undergone a £120,000 restoration project in 2018 and is now restored to its former glory. It is furnished traditionally with oak pews on either side of a central aisle and wood panelling. The coffin rests on an Art Deco, marble catafalque. The Oak parquet floor is now exposed and there is new heating and lighting, meaning that the Chapel is now bright and warm throughout the year. There is a new music system in the Chapel called Obitus (which is used in many Crematorium Chapels throughout the UK). Your Funeral Director will be able to select music with you from this system. There is also a traditional organ in the chapel (you need to book you organist separately with your Funeral Director if desired). There are fully automated curtains which close around the coffin on the catafalque. There are always fresh flowers in the chapel which are replaced every week.
West Chapel
The West Chapel is decorated and furnished in a more contemporary style and seats up to 90 people on individual chairs with room for more standing. The light oak catafalque has a canopy and descending curtains which are fully automated, presenting a choice of committal procedures.By closing the dividing curtains the new chapel can be reduced to a capacity of 42, allowing greater intimacy for a smaller number of people.
Music
The Obitus System is used in both our Chapels. Your Funeral Arranger will help you select music from its extensive library. If the desired music is not already held in the library, your Funeral Arranger will speak to the Obitus team who will search for it and obtain it in time for your service.
Both Chapels have a fixed microphone for celebrants and contributors to use.
Webcast services
(Additional fees will apply for each of these services – please see our fees list)
Webcast live
Services can be Webcast Live to ensure those who cannot attend can be part of the service. It is available to be viewed via a secure website at the time the service is taking place. This can be booked by your Funeral Director at your request.
Webcast live and 28 day watch again
You can also choose to access the recording of the webcast to watch again for a further 28 days. Again, this will need to be booked by your Funeral Director at your request.
Keepsake copy
A keepsake copy is a recording of the Webcast on a DVD, Blue-ray, USB stick or audio CD supplied in a personalised presentation case. These can be ordered before the funeral, or up to a month after. Additional copies can also be ordered at a reduced rate.
Floral Tributes
Floral tributes are displayed in the glazed atrium between the chapels. These usually arrive with the cortege and are placed in the Atrium by Funeral Director staff. Floral tributes are usually removed after 3 days but alternatively, they may be collected by family members during this time.
Funeral Times
Cremations can be booked Mondays to Fridays at the following times each day:-
9.00am, 9.30am (30 minute time slots – only 25 mourners permitted)
10.00am, 10.45am, 11:30am, 12:15pm, 1:00pm, 1:45pm, 2:30pm, 3:15pm (all 45 minute time slots)
Please note the time slot is to include the seating of attendees and the leaving of the chapel.
Cremations are usually booked on weekdays but we can book Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays at an extra charge.
The Cremation
Forms for Cremation
Please note, we do not advise that you print off or photocopy our forms in advance as they are subject to change and we will only accept the latest version of the form.
Cremation Form 1 (Application for Cremation)
Links:-
Ministry of Justice guidance and cremation forms
Ashes
When arranging the cremation you will be asked to complete the ashes instructions on the Cremation 1 Form. We will only take instructions from the cremation applicant.
The options include:
- Collection by your Funeral Director
- Collection by you (within 2 weeks)
- Collection by a named person (they will need to bring identification with them) and be named on the cremation form.
- Burial of the ashes in our Gardens of Remembrance or in the Cemetery, if you own a plot there
If instructions for the ashes change after the form has been received by us, we will require a ‘Change of Ashes Instruction’ form signed by the applicant.
After the cremation the ashes are placed in a sealed plastic bag within a bio-degradable cardboard box.
There is a label on the inside and outside of the box with the deceased’s name and the cremation number.
You may choose another container which you would like the ashes to be put in. We have a display cabinet in the reception area with a selection of options. They include jewellery, ashes into glass, keepsakes urns, caskets, metal urns, scatter tubes. Some families wish to split the ashes, which we can also do for you.
Witnessing the start of a cremation
Many people wish to witness the start of cremation for personal, religious or cultural reasons. If this is your wish, do please request this when you are making the funeral arrangements.
Disabled Facilities
The entrance to the left hand side of the main chapel doors is accessible for wheelchair users. There is also an accessible toilet. We also have a wheelchair available if required. There is an induction loop fitted in the Chapel.
Gardens of Remembrance – Memorial options
Please take time to visit the Gardens of Remembrance and come into the office to discuss anything that you are unsure about.
Please be mindful that we do not allow personalised planting or memorialisation in the gardens. If this is what you would prefer to do, you may wish to consider purchasing a private plot in your local cemetery.We are here to help and will allow you as much time as you wish in discussing your exact requirements.
Over the next few memorial pages we hope to give you an insight into the various memorials that are now available at West London Crematorium. In particular, the Callard Garden, with waterside location, offers surroundings of peace and tranquillity.
We have taken a great deal of care and attention to create Gardens of Remembrance that will bring comfort and solace for you and for generations to come.
A brief description and details on ashes interment accompanies each picture.
Memorial lease periods
We offer a choice of lease options on most of our memorials.
All our memorial options are created from the very highest quality material. The gardens will continue to look good for generations to come.
In order that we maintain gardens that look as good as they possibly can we ask all our families not to add any items of their own (e.g. trinkets, lanterns, glassware, balloons, cards, artificial flowers). You should not add any memorials unless purchased through the General Cemetery Company or authorised in writing. Additionally you should not add any planting, bulbs etc. to the gardens.
Memorial Rose Trees & Bushes
Memorial rose trees and bushes, with suitably engraved bronze plaques, are granted and maintained for a 5 year period of dedication with an option of renewal for either a 1 year, 3 year or 5 year period.
All purchasers / owners of memorials must abide by the Rose Bushes and Tree Rules. Please note, these rules are subject to change and owners and visitors must abide by the current rules.
Caskets & Urns
Cremated remains may be placed in one of a selection of caskets and urns. Contact us on 020 8969 0152 for details.
Columbarium Niches
Up to four sets of cremated remains can be placed in a columbarium niche in the Crematorium Gardens. Each niche is sealed with an engraved portland stone tablet for a 5 year, 10 year or 20 year period of dedication with an option of renewal.
Wall Niches
One set of cremated remains can be placed in a wall niche in the Crematorium Gardens. Each niche is sealed with an engraved slate stone tablet for a 5 year, 10 year or 20 year period of dedication with an option of renewal.
Headstone Plots (currently only available for renewals)
Arranged in small sections these miniature headstone plots re-create have the appearance of a miniature grave. Each plot has a defined area where fresh flowers can be placed. Up to four sets of ashes can be interred loose in a headstone plot.
Walled Garden Plaques
Slate plaques (12″ x 6″) are available for a 3 or 5 year period of dedication with an option of renewal.
Inscriptions in the Book of Remembrance are never removed. The relevant page is displayed on the anniversary day throughout the year. Handwritten copies of an inscription can he provided in the form of cards or booklets of remembrance.
Entries can also be viewed online.
Private Family Gardens (currently only available for renewals)
Edged in natural stone these small gardens offer you the opportunity of a very personal memorial. You are able to place a bronze or granite marker or personalise it further by placing a miniature headstone in it.
Up to eight sets of ashes may be interred loose within the garden.
Rockery Gardens (currently only available for renewals)
A marker is placed in our rockery and up to two sets of ashes can be interred loose into the soil. The area is planted by our gardeners.
Memorial Vases (currently only available for renewals)
White marble memorial vases are available and these can be personalised with a brief inscription on a granite tablet. They can be taken for a 3 year or 5 year period of dedication.