Cremation Services in Dorset

A cremation funeral can be arranged in many different ways. The funeral service may take place at a crematorium, in a church, in one of our private ceremony rooms or at another suitable venue before the cremation takes place.

Douch Family Funeral Directors arranges cremation funerals throughout Dorset and beyond. Our local funeral directors will explain the available options and take care of the practical arrangements with the crematorium on your behalf.

A cremation can include a traditional funeral service with family and friends present, a more personal ceremony away from the crematorium or an unattended cremation.

What happens at a cremation funeral?

A cremation funeral usually includes a funeral service followed by the cremation of the coffin.

If the service takes place at the crematorium, the coffin will normally be brought into the chapel before the service begins.

The service can include music, readings, prayers, photographs, a eulogy and personal tributes. It may be religious, non religious or a combination of both.

Towards the end of the service there is normally a moment known as the committal. This marks the formal farewell to the person who has died.

Depending on the crematorium and the family’s wishes, curtains may close around the coffin, the coffin may remain visible or another form of committal may be chosen.

The coffin is then transferred into the care of the crematorium and the cremation takes place privately.

Does the funeral service have to take place at the crematorium?

No.

A funeral service can take place somewhere else before the cremation.

This might include:

• A church or place of worship
• One of our private ceremony rooms
• Another suitable funeral venue

After the service, family and friends may choose to travel to the crematorium for the committal.

Alternatively, the coffin can be taken to the crematorium without mourners attending. This can be particularly helpful where the crematorium is some distance from the service venue or where the family would prefer to go directly to the wake afterwards.

Our team can explain both options when arranging the funeral.

How long does a cremation service take?

The time available for a funeral service varies between crematoriums.

Many crematoriums work to scheduled service times, which include time for mourners to arrive and leave as well as the funeral ceremony itself.

If you feel you need more time, it may be possible to book an extended service or hold the main funeral ceremony somewhere else before the cremation.

Our funeral directors will explain the timings available at your chosen crematorium before the funeral is booked.

Which crematorium can we use?

We regularly arrange funeral services at crematoriums throughout Dorset and the surrounding area.

These include Bournemouth or Poole Crematorium as well as crematoriums in New Milton, Weymouth, Salisbury, Yeovil, Romsey, Southampton and other locations where required.

The crematorium used will usually depend on where the family lives, availability and the type of funeral being arranged.

Our team will make the booking and deal with the crematorium directly on your behalf.

Crematoriums we regularly use

We arrange cremation funerals at crematoriums across Dorset and the surrounding area. The crematorium used will usually depend on location, availability and the type of funeral being arranged.

Bournemouth Crematorium
Strouden Avenue, Bournemouth, BH8 9HX

Poole Crematorium
Gravel Hill, Poole, BH17 9BQ

Weymouth Crematorium
Quibo Lane, Weymouth, DT4 0RR

New Forest Crematorium
Stem Lane, New Milton, BH25 5FH

Salisbury Crematorium
Barrington Road, Salisbury, SP1 3JB

Test Valley Crematorium
Ridge Lane, Romsey, SO51 6AB

Southampton Crematorium
Bassett Green Road, Southampton, SO16 3QB

Yeovil Crematorium
Bunford Lane, Yeovil, BA20 2EJ

What happens to the coffin during cremation?

The coffin is cremated with the person who has died.

Once the coffin has been committed, it is transferred into the cremation area and placed into the cremator.

The coffin is not opened before cremation except in very unusual circumstances where this may be legally required.

Crematoriums have strict procedures in place to make sure the identity of the person who has died is maintained throughout the cremation process.

What happens to the ashes after cremation?

Following cremation, the remaining bone fragments are carefully processed to produce what we commonly call ashes or cremated remains.

The ashes are normally available for collection after the cremation has taken place, although the exact timescale varies between crematoriums.

We can collect the ashes from the crematorium and return them to your chosen Douch Family Funeral Directors branch.

There is no need to decide immediately what you would like to do with them.

Families may choose to:

• Keep the ashes at home
• Place them in an urn
• Scatter them somewhere meaningful
• Bury them in a cemetery or churchyard
• Use a natural burial ground
• Divide them between family members
• Place a small amount into a keepsake or memorial item

Our team can talk through the different options when you are ready.

How much does a cremation funeral cost?

The cost of a cremation funeral depends on the type of funeral service you choose and the crematorium being used.

The overall cost may include:

• Funeral director’s professional fees
• The coffin
• The crematorium fee
• Minister or celebrant fees
• Funeral vehicles
• Flowers
• Orders of Service
• Music and visual tributes
• Catering
• Other personal choices

The crematorium fee is a third party cost and varies depending on the crematorium and type of service booked.

We will provide a clear written estimate showing our charges and third party fees before the funeral arrangements are confirmed.

View our funeral packages and costs

Can we have a direct cremation?

Yes.

A direct cremation is an unattended cremation where family and friends do not attend the crematorium.

Some families choose a direct cremation without holding a funeral service beforehand and arrange a memorial or celebration of life separately.

Others hold a funeral service in a church, one of our ceremony rooms or another suitable venue before the coffin is taken to the crematorium without mourners attending.

Direct cremation is explained in more detail on our dedicated direct cremation page.

Find out about direct cremation

Can a cremation funeral be religious or non religious?

Yes.

A cremation funeral can be religious, non religious or include elements of both.

The service may be led by:

• A minister
• A priest
• A civil celebrant
• A humanist celebrant
• A family member or friend

We can help you find someone suitable to lead the service or work with a minister or celebrant already known to your family.

Can we personalise a cremation service?

Yes. There is no requirement for every cremation funeral to follow the same format.

A service might include:

• Favourite music
• Family photographs
• Video tributes
• Readings and poems
• Personal belongings
• Floral tributes
• A particular colour or theme
• Stories from family and friends
• Religious prayers or hymns

Our team can help you understand what is possible at the crematorium or other venue being used.

What is water cremation?

Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or resomation, uses water and an alkaline solution rather than flame to break down the body.

It is different from traditional flame cremation and is not currently widely available to families in England.

We continue to follow developments in alternative funeral methods and can explain the options currently available locally if you would like to discuss them.

Frequently asked questions

Do they burn the coffin during cremation?

Yes. The coffin is cremated together with the person who has died.

Coffins intended for cremation must meet the requirements of the crematorium and be made from suitable materials.

Can family members watch the cremation?

Most families attend the funeral service rather than the cremation process itself.

Some crematoriums may allow a small number of people to witness the coffin being placed into the cremator by prior arrangement. Availability and rules vary between crematoriums, so please speak to us if this is important to your family.

How long does the actual cremation take?

The cremation process itself normally takes longer than the funeral service. The exact time varies depending on the cremator and individual circumstances.

Families do not normally remain at the crematorium while this takes place.

When are the ashes available?

The timescale varies between crematoriums. In many cases the ashes are available within the following few working days.

We will collect them where arranged and contact you when they have been returned to your local branch.

Do we need to decide what to do with the ashes straight away?

No.

There is no need to make an immediate decision. Many families keep the ashes safely for some time before deciding whether to bury, scatter or keep them.

Can Catholics have a cremation?

Yes. The Catholic Church permits cremation, although there are particular teachings around the respectful treatment and final resting place of cremated remains.

If you are arranging a Catholic funeral, we can liaise with the priest and church to make sure the funeral follows the appropriate traditions.

Can we have a wake immediately after the service?

Yes.

If the funeral service takes place at a crematorium, church or one of our ceremony rooms, a wake can follow afterwards.

Where a church or ceremony room service is followed by an unattended cremation, family and friends can go directly to the wake while we take responsibility for transporting the coffin to the crematorium.

Can you arrange a funeral at Harbour View Crematorium?

No. Harbour View Crematorium is owned and operated by Tapper Funeral Service and is not available for use by other funeral directors.

We can arrange cremation services at other crematoriums across Dorset and the surrounding area, including Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, New Forest and others depending on location and availability.

If you are unsure which crematorium is most suitable, our team will explain the available options and make the arrangements on your behalf.

Arrange a cremation funeral in Dorset

Our funeral directors can explain the cremation options available and help you decide what feels right for your family.

We can arrange cremation funerals through any of our branches in Blandford, Corfe Mullen, Ferndown, Parkstone, Swanage, Wareham and Wimborne.

Please contact your local branch or call us if someone has died and you need immediate help.