Alternative Cremation Venue
£2,250 + 3rd party costs and options
It is a natural assumption when planning a cremation funeral that the service must take place at the crematorium chapel, unless a church service is planned first. This is not necessarily the case.
We regularly take families to a completely different type of venue – a natural burial ground that allow their ceremonial hall to be used for cremation services. The service is held at the venue, the actual cremation then takes place afterwards at a local crematorium and is unattended. Two such local venues we use are GreenAcres Chiltern in Beaconsfield and Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground near Guildford.
GreenAcres Chiltern
Although a natural burial ground, they allow their woodland hall to be used for cremation services, and there’s also the option of using the separate Gathering Hall as a wake venue.
Just a 30 – 40 minute drive 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.
GreenAcres Chiltern has provided families with a haven when their need is for time with their loved one.
The Woodland Hall is a beautiful wood and glass building that sits within the forest. Its natural light with panoramic views into the woodland provides a calm setting where you can quietly contemplate.
The service time is up to one hour, with around 20 minutes either side of the service to gather and leave, avoiding the ‘one in, one out’ scenario typical of a crematorium.
Less formal style
Typically with this setting, we use our hearsette transport (more discreet in such a natural environment) and preplace the coffin in the Woodland Hall before family arrive. But – everything is flexible, so if you wished to add more of a procession and different transport, it is not a problem at all – we work to what you feel is right.
The coffin is placed on wooden trestles in front of the glass doors leading out into the woodland. A natural style coffin suits this venue best. If immediate family wish to have a few private moments before the service starts we can arrange this.
As guests arrive in the Courtyard gathering area or Gathering Hall if it’s raining, we often play a personal playlist chosen by the family. This just helps to both calm and warm the atmosphere.
The Woodland Hall has a screen where a slideshow can be played during the service if you wish. And it has the Obitus digital music system which we organise for you.
A private space
Seating is individual chairs rather than pews, which means families can sit together in their own bubbles, rather than being separated.
What makes GreenAcres unique is that you feel like you have your own private space and most importantly – unhurried time. As the service ends, everyone can file past the coffin into the woodland – a small touch that makes a big difference.
After the service, the coffin is discreetly moved to the Vestry room before being transported to the nearby Amersham crematorium. Family members do not follow this journey (it’s classed as a direct cremation)
Family then collect their loved one’s ashes from GreenAcres a week or so later (or we can collect for you at a later date when we are there) , or can inter or scatter them at the natural burial ground.
The most common comment we hear after holding a service here, is people asking if they can book their slot for the future!
Pricing
You get so much more value here when comparing with a local crematorium standard service.
3rd party costs are the GreenAcres fee for use of the Woodland Hall and direct cremation they organise at Amersham Crematorium £695, Doctor’s certificate £82, Celebrant / Minister fee £300 and coffin from £245. So you are looking at from around £3,600 dependent upon optional choices.
Recommended caterers at GreenAcres Chiltern:
- Hibiscus: speak to Jo on 07771 995038 / 01494 674584
- A Movable Feast: speak to Jill Mayo on 07947 145808 / 01494 873145
- Truly Scrumptious: speak to Tania on 07748 248 916
Clandon Wood
Although a natural burial ground, they allow their pavilion to be used for cremation services – and optionally as a wake venue afterwards.
Just a 40 minute drive from SW London, will transport you to a most serene setting surrounded by beautiful meadows. It’s a completely different feel to a crematorium – far less funereal.
The pavilion is a stunning glass-walled building with views across a beautiful meadow landscape.
The service time is up to one hour, avoiding the ‘one in, one out’ scenario typical of a crematorium.
Informal style
Typically with this setting, we use our hearsette transport (more discreet in such a natural environment) and preplace the coffin in the Pavilion before family arrive. But – everything is flexible, so if you wished to add more of a procession and different transport, it is not a problem at all – we work to what you feel is right.
The coffin is placed on wooden trestles. A natural style coffin suits this venue best.
The Pavilion has a screen where a slideshow can be played during the service if you wish. The music is organised by sharing a Spotify playlist with the venue.
A private space
Seating is individual chairs and comfy sofas. After the service, we transport the coffin to Kingston crematorium. Family members do not follow this journey (it’s classed as a direct cremation).
Family then collect their loved one’s ashes from our office in Teddington – or can inter or scatter them at the natural burial ground.
Pricing
You get so much more value here when comparing with a local crematorium standard service.
3rd party costs are the Clandon Wood fee for use of the Pavilion £695 and direct cremation at Kingston Crematorium £305, Doctor’s certificate £82, Celebrant / Minister fee £300 and coffin from £245. So you are looking at from around £3,900 dependent upon optional choices.
Recommended caterers at Clandon Wood:
- Fine Funeral Wakes: 01252 517230 / 07742 543209
- Merrow Savouries: 01483 850186
- The Table Affair: 07886 367253
To enquire about a cremation service at GreenAcres Chiltern or Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground please call White Rose Modern Funerals on 020 3281 1045.
We arrange both cremation funerals and burials throughout SW London and Surrey.
