F.A.Q.

Cremations

Q. Does my religion forbid cremation?

A. Today, all of the Christian denominations, including Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, allow cremation. It is also the normal method used by practically all Eastern religious sects for disposing of human remains after death. Orthodox Judaism and Islam forbid cremation.

Q. Is cremation dearer than burial?

A. It is difficult to compare the costs of cremation and burial. In the case of burial there is the cost of a grave and headstone as well as other charges. Only a fee is involved for cremation. The bereaved may also choose to purchase a memorial plaque which maintained free of charge in perpetuity.

Q. How would I arrange a cremation?

A. If you are personal representative, (or if, as the attending doctor, you have been asked to do so), you approach the undertaker as soon as possible after the death, advising him that you want a cremation. The undertaker will ensure that all the necessary statutory requirements are fulfilled. You will have to sign some forms after you have carefully read their contents and satisfied yourself they have been correctly completed.

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Cremations

Q. Is there anything else?

A. You would probably be asked how you would like to dispose of the ashes. In some cases, the ashes would be interred in the Garden of Remembrance at the Crematorium. Alternatively, you can arrange to collect ashes for dispersal in another location, depending on the deceased's wishes.

Q. Is there a service at the Crematorium?

A. In the case of cremation, as with burials, it is normal to have appropriate services celebrated in the parish/local church attended by the person during his/her lifetime. The coffin is then removed to the chapel in the Crematorium grounds, where a short committal service, similar to that at the graveside in the case of a burial, takes place. The form of the service depends on the religion of the dead person. This is optional and it is open to the personal representative to make other arrangements if he or she so wishes.

Q. Is there any form of memorial at Glasnevin Crematorium?

A. Yes, a Columbarium in the Garden Remembrance. Cremated remains can be interred in the Garden of Remembrance or Columbarium Wall at Glasnevin Cemetery. Each set of remains is interred in its own urn. At this time, one or more spaces can be reserved for future use.

Q. What happens on the day of the funeral?

A. The mourners take their seats in the chapel, the coffin is then brought into the chapel and the service begins. At the end of the service, the coffin is gently moved onto the committal room, and the mourners disperse.

Q. What happens to the coffin after the committal?

A. It is taken to the crematorium. There, the nameplate of the coffin is carefully checked with the Crematorium Order to verify the identity of the remains. The coffin is labelled with a card prepared by the Crematorium authorities with all relevant information, and that card stays with the body until the final disposal of the ashes. Cremation follows, on the same day as the service.

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Cremations

Q. Is the coffin cremated with the body?

A. Yes. The regulations require that nothing must be removed from the coffin after it has been received from the chapel. The undertakers use only combustible materials in the manufacture of coffins for use in cremation.

Q. What about gold rings?

A. It is strongly recommended that all items of jewellery be taken from the body before it is put into the coffin, as the cremation process destroys them.

Q. Can more than one coffin be cremated at a time?

A. The only exceptions are in cases such as a mother and baby or twin children, if the closest relative makes the request that the two be cremated together.

Q. Can relatives witness the committal of the coffin to the cremator?

A. Not normally. The regulations are designed to reduce stress on the relatives of the dead person.

Q. How sure am I that I will receive the right ashes?

A. A system has been carefully devised with complete security to ensure that the ashes are always correctly placed in the appropriate urn.

Q. Can I inter the ashes in a grave owned by my family?

A. This poses no problem and will be one of the services available.