Research project re interment of ashes, cremation, burial of ashes

Page in Brief : Telling of funeral, research by London Metropolitan University, Sheffield University, a project about the changing wishes, customs we have regarding ashes of loved one, interment of ashes, funeral ashes. Also an independent minister, celebrant and funeral service taker for funeral ceremonies, religious and non-religious, secular and spiritual, a civil ceremony, alternative funeral, Essex and London. We also design and print an order of service for your occasion. Our work takes us across Essex and London. We have good working relationships with many local firms of funeral director. Our celebrant is fully trained

Researchers of London Metropolitan and Sheffield Universities have approached me regarding a project seeking to understand peoples changing wishes and customs regarding the ashes of their loved ones.

They write :-

Barking & Dagenham has been selected as one of four sites in a national study into the U.K.’s changing patterns as to what we do with the ashes of people we have known and loved. From the 1960’s onwards, cremation rather than burial has been the main choice at the time of a death. Yet until fairly recently most ashes were left at the crematorium after the final service and would generally have been scattered in the gardens of remembrance with, perhaps, an entry in the book of remembrance. However, as researchers, we are finding that habits and ideas are changing in what might be quite radical ways, as more than half of us remove the ashes from the crematorium precincts.

The researchers are seeking information, to be treated confidentially, from people associated with Barking & Dagenham who have taken ashes away from which ever crematorium chosen for the service, perhaps City of London, or Corbets Tey (SEC), or even more distant ones. The ashes may have been taken home, left at the funeral directors awaiting decision, or taken to some other pace. You may have a story to tell about your experiences of this. There seems to be a range of things happening; some take them to another crematorium or garden of remembrance. Many wish to place them at a family grave or scatter them in a favourite location - in the country, on a river or perhaps at a sports ground, whereas others wish to keep them at home or place them in the garden, often safeguarding the ashes until they themselves die. Of course, some people are simply undecided what to do with the ashes, but perhaps don’t feel ready to make any kind of decision. One thing that does seem to occur, however, is that for many people, having the ashes offers a chance for a second, often private ceremony, some months - or even years - later.

It is important to stress, however, that this research is not looking to sensationalise, but to conduct a serious inquiry into mainstream trends.

The project has a number of important aims, including support of sensitive service provision at a time when scarcity of land for burial and memorialisation is an important issue. Equally, if not more importantly, is a better understanding of peoples wishes, of bereavement and how they want and need to memorialise and remember relatives and friends. The changes taking place represent an important trend that needs to be understood through discussions with people who have decided to take ashes away from crematoria.

If you think you would be willing to contribute to this research, your story and experience would be very much valued. Please telephone Leonie Kellaher, principal research officer, on 020 7133 5082 ( there is a message machine, you will be called back ). Or write to her at The Cities Institute, London Metropolitan University, Ladbroke House, 62 - 66 Highbury Grove, London N5 2AD - or E-mail L.Kellaher@londonmet.ac.uk

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