Arranging cremation and taking possession of ashes

At the time a donation is accepted your next of kin or executor will be asked to confirm if they wish to be informed of the time of cremation, attend the cremation or take possession of the ashes. When we have completed our examinations, we will contact your next of kin or executor based on their wishes. Cremation services are individual to the donor and held at a crematorium local to the Bristol area.

Although the consent form may allow us to keep a body for several years, in certain circumstances, the body may be used, and a cremation arranged within a month of arrival. We endeavour to use all donor bodies as fully as possible. Please be reassured that if a cremation service is arranged shortly after acceptance of a donor, it does not mean that the donation has any less value.

When ashes are ready for collection they can be collected directly from the crematorium. Alternatively, if next of kin/executors do not wish to take possession of the ashes, we will arrange for the ashes to be scattered in the gardens of rest within the crematorium grounds.

It is the responsibility of the next of kin or executor to advise the Bequest Office of any changes in contact details. If all reasonable attempts have been made to contact the next of kin or executor, the Bequest Office will arrange a non-attendance cremation service and/or scattering of the ashes.