Cremations

Cremation information

Cremations cost less than a burial and are now the most popular choice. A cremation can't take place unless you have

• Coroners Cremation 6 Certificate
• Registrars Certificate of Burial or Cremation

Families have the choice of two crematoria in North Tyneside:

• Tynemouth Crematorium (in the grounds of Preston Cemetery, North Shields)
• Whitley Bay Crematorium

Both offer cremations with 45 minute time slots. Giving families a full thirty minutes chapel time.

Both facilities have only one entrance and exit. We ask that mourners move away from the chapel after the service. This is so they don't impact the next service.

Services can be from Monday to Friday, plus some Saturday mornings at an extra cost. It may also be possible to book a longer service time if the following timeslot is free at the time of booking. There is an extra fee for this.

Legislation on emissions means there are restrictions on the type of

• coffins
• linings
• varnishes
• paints

Dress the deceased in natural fibres and nothing containing PVC.

You should not put anything plastic or copper in the coffin.

We understand it can be difficult deciding what to do with the ashes after the cremation. We are happy to hold on to the remains for 7 days from the date of cremation while you decide.

Other options for disposal are:

Scattering in the Garden of Remembrance

You can book a witness scattering through your Funeral Director. Or contact the office at Preston Cemetery on (0191) 643 6070. We will work with your Funeral Director if the scattering is to go ahead with nobody attending.

Removal by representative

Your funeral director can collect the remains. The ashes will leave the crematorium in a biodegradable box. They will give them to the person who made the funeral arrangements.

Burial of ashes

Some families already have a family grave plot. Some buy a small plot to bury the ashes in. There are costs attached to this option.

Scattering in a garden or other location

You might need permission to scatter ashes in some locations. Take care when scattering ashes so members of the public aren't distressed or offended.

Your funeral director needs to know what you want before they submit paperwork.

If you're arranging the cremation without a funeral director, call us on (0191) 643 6070. We'll help you complete the forms.

We also need to know of any particular music requests at least 48 hours before the funeral takes place. Your funeral director will help you with this detail.

We'll display a flower card inscribed with the name of the deceased in the designated area. This is so mourners can view their floral tributes after the service. At Tynemouth we display flower cards in the Garden of Remembrance. At Whitley Bay we display them around the crematorium.

We leave floral tributes on display for seven days. If you want to keep sympathy cards, you should remove them within six days of the funeral. Please inform your funeral director if you want the sympathy cards returned to you.

Fees and charges