A cremation funeral does not have to take place at a crematorium. There are a few venues that can accommodate a funeral service to include the coffin, where you have more privacy and beautiful surroundings.
What these beautiful locations offer is a sense of privacy, peace and space – there is no conveyor belt. This gives families so much comfort. Surrounded by nature, the ambiance is non-funereal which also makes these locations ideal for children.
Alternative venueS
GreenAcres Chiltern, Beaconsfield
Although a natural burial ground, GreenAcres allow their woodland hall to be used for cremation services. There’s also the option of using the separate Gathering Hall as a wake venue. The service is held at the venue, the actual cremation then takes place afterwards at a local crematorium and is unattended.
Just a 30 – 40 minute drive (~23 miles) from SW London, will transport you to a most peaceful setting surrounded by nature. As you arrive, you drive along a woodland road before turning into the forest. It’s an entirely different atmosphere – less funereal.
The Pavilion at Clandon Wood
Approx 40 minutes from SW London (~19 miles), Clandon Wood allow their Pavilion to be used for a cremation funeral, a glass-walled ceremonial building set in a beautiful meadow.
Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park
Pembroke Lodge is a beautiful listed Georgian Mansion with bright, spacious rooms and fabulous views in Richmond Park. The Belvedere Suite is on the ground level with a terrace outside, the smaller Russell Suite is upstairs.
Please note availability for funeral services is mainly from October to April, unfortunately during the summer wedding season there is unlikely to be any availability.
Linden House, Hammersmith
Linden House is a private members club that is available for funeral services with a coffin present. Set by the River Thames, it is a secluded and elegant setting for a private service.
There is a selection of versatile rooms that are bright and airy, with a calm interior. From the front terrace there are views overlooking the river.
We’re here to help you – call 020 3281 1045
Who will Officiate the service?
A cremation funeral service can be officiated by a faith minister, celebrant or the family.
- Minister / religious – for a faith led service you may already have a minister you know to lead the service, or we can organise a minister for you. We work across all faiths.
- Celebrant / humanist – for a non-religious service we work with a talented team of celebrants / humanists. Typically when we meet with a family and talk things through, we get a feeling for who we would recommend.
- Family-led – or would you like to lead the service yourselves? This can work well if the family dynamics are such that you can work together and organise within a timeframe. We can advise.
Personalising a funeral
As we chat with you we can explore ways to personalise the funeral ceremony. As a measure we always say, imagine what would make your loved one smile.
Practical and creative ways we can help
- Video slideshow of up to 30 photos – a visual way to quietly reflect during a service, we create this as a video file set to a chosen track of music
- Order of Service – we design and print elegant Orders of Service
- Flowers – our recommended florist creates beautiful, environmentally aware arrangements from simple hand-tied to stunning sprays (view examples)
Pricing explained
Our pricing for funerals is fully transparent and flexible – you only pay for those elements that you require. Some fees are essential, others are optional, so the total cost will depend on the choices you make. When we have chatted through with you what you would like, we send a personalised Fee Summary showing the breakdown of costs in accordance with what you choose.
Ballpark figures
- Keep it simple: The simplest transport and wicker coffin, with a minister or celebrant and no other personal touches
Ballpark £3,750 (GreenAcres) or £4,100 (Clandon Wood) - With elegant finishing touches: If you wished to have additional elegantly designed finishing touches i.e. order of service, video slideshow of photos
Ballpark £3,900 upwards dependent upon what you choose
The Essentials
These items are typically required for every funeral
White Rose Modern Funerals fee*: £2,250
Use of ceremonial hall for service, followed by unattended cremation at the local crematorium: Typically £675 – £1,000 – examples below:
GreenAcres Chiltern is £675 including the Direct Cremation fee. Service times are either 11am, 1pm or 3pm. Their Gathering Hall can also be hired for a wake at £300 per hour. If following 11am or 1pm service, 2 hours hire required. If following 3pm service, only 1 hour hire is available.
Clandon Wood pavilion hire is £695 + £305 direct cremation fee, Service times can be between 11am and 1pm. There is limited availability to hold a wake at the pavilion following the service, this incurs a £200 surcharge.
Doctor’s certificate for cremation: £82
Transporting the coffin (there is no charge if using our Galaxy hearsette): No charge / Alternative hearse from £450
Coffin: London oak veneer £345 / Simple Willow £465 / alternative choice of natural, solid wood, cardboard £300 – £850
Options
These items depend on the choices you make
Minister or Celebrant (or the service can be family led, we can advise): £300
Order of Service design and print (priced per copy, minimum 20 copies): from £60
Video slideshow of photos (approx 30 photos set to chosen music track to be used as a reflection piece): £95
Pallbearers (not needed if coffin being pre-placed): £50 each, minimum 4 needed
Flowers – we recommend Leonoor, Rose & Mary (you order through and pay her direct): Hand tied bouquets from £85, sprays £135 – £295
Additional Fees
These are additional fees that may be incurred
Dressing your family member in chosen outfit (dressing is a personal choice and not obligatory – a dignified soft coffin sheet is also used): £75
Private family time in Chapel of Rest (covers private church hire for an hour and transporting the coffin): £250
Pacemaker removal (if required): £95
Embalming (if required): £155
Out of hours collection for homes and care homes (4pm – 8am, weekends and bank holidays): £250
Out of area collection (typically hospital outside of London, elsewhere in UK): £1.50 per mile
* Our fee includes: Arranging the funeral and legal forms, collection and looking after your relative at our private facilities, online tribute page to help inform family and friends of the funeral details, hand-holding you through the process taking care of all the details, personal access to a team member including outside of office hours, our attendance on the day.
Payment terms: we appreciate how much you have to sort at this time, our terms are within 21 days of the funeral date, with payment by bank transfer.
Does this answer your needs? If not, see
Independent funeral director
helping families across London & Surrey
You can speak to us anytime on 020 3281 1045 – we’re open 24/7
