GreenAcres Chiltern cremation funeral
£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 Greenacres Chilterns – which although a natural burial ground, they allow their woodland hall to be used for cremation services.
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.
During the pandemic, 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. It’s 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 half an hour 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 gathering area (unfortunately with covid, the gathering hall normally used is closed), 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
With covid regulations – the maximum of 30 people can attend. 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 Westerley £650, Doctor’s certificate £82, Celebrant / Minister fee £300 and coffin from £245. So you are looking at from around £3,445 dependent upon optional choices.
To enquire about a cremation service at GreenAcres Chiltern please call White Rose Modern Funerals on 020 3281 1045.
We arrange both cremation funerals and burials throughout SW London and Surrey.
