How to find the nearest crematorium to me

Choosing a crematorium isn’t something you do on a regular basis. Often families just use the crematorium that has been used through the generations, or one chosen by the funeral director. However, the choice of crematorium is actually entirely up to you.

The following information will help you understand more about who owns crematoriums, how many there are throughout the UK and how to find the nearest crematorium to you.

How many crematoriums are there in the UK?

There are currently around 300 crematoriums in the UK. Each typically offers a chapel for the service, the cremation facilities and a garden of remembrance. Some UK crematoriums are operated by the council however others are privately owned by companies like Westerleigh crematoriums, Memoria and Dignity.

Can you choose any crematorium?

When arranging a funeral you have the flexibility to choose any UK crematorium, regardless of whether it’s privately owned or run by the council. For ease, many families automatically choose the nearest crematorium, however if you want you can look further afield.

If you are comparing crematoriums, you may want to consider the following:

• Length of service available
• Location
• The feel of the chapel and outside environment
• Price
• Size of the chapel
• If webcast facilities are available

It’s worth mentioning that people with prepaid funeral plans can usually choose the crematorium they prefer, however direct cremation funeral plans may be more restrictive.

What happens at a crematorium?

For some, choosing the right crematoria is about location and looks, not about how crematoriums actually work. For others however, understanding the detail of what happens at a crematorium will be reassuring.

If you would like to understand more about how crematoriums work, our guide to the cremation process in the UK will help.

However, if you’d just like to find the nearest crematorium to you, take a look our list.