Cremations

Most popular funerals

Cremations are now the most popular form of funeral. Most people will want a ceremony at the crematorium – using their chapel – but you can also hold the service in a church or other venue of your choice prior to the cremation.

It is entirely up to you if you want the service to be religious or non-religious. A religious service will be conducted by an ordained minister or clergy from a specific faith or religion whereas a non-religious ceremony can have a civil celebrant or officiant from the humanist society.

Ashdown Funeral Services can help make arrangements for whichever type of service you would like.

What happens at a cremation service?

Depending on your preference, mourners may assemble outside awaiting the arrival of the hearse, or may take a seat in the chapel before the coffin is brought in. Alternatively, the coffin can be taken to the venue prior to the mourners arriving.

Unless you have asked for extra time for your service, a cremation funeral service usually lasts between 35 to 45 minutes. The service can include a number of hymns or non-religious songs that mean something to you, eulogies and readings. At the end of the service the coffin is usually obscured from view for mourners to pay their final respects before the cremation.

Most crematoriums are able to return a loved one’s ashes one working day after the cremation, and sometimes even the same day. At this stage you can think about what you would like to do with the ashes, some ideas you might like to consider are available here.

Ashdown Funeral Services can assist you in every step of the funeral and cremation arrangements so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

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Ashes, Caskets, Urns and Keepsakes

We have a wide range of urns and caskets for this purpose in a variety of styles and materials such as wood, marble and stone.

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Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

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Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

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Need advice?

Ashdown Funeral Services can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

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Featured Reviews

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Kelly's support and professionalism in organising the funeral.for my brother was exceptional. She discussed and put in place every single detail so that the family did not need to worry and had a stress free day. Thank you.so.much for your care and help Kelly…

Bindi

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We cannot thank Kelly enough for the care, compassion, and professionalism she showed while helping us arrange my sister’s funeral. From the very beginning, she guided us through every step with such kindness and understanding, making an incredibly difficult time feel a little more manageable.…

Sophie Burke

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Claire and Toni and all the team at Ashdowns Blackfen made an extremely difficult time easier to deal with. Always at the end of a telephone if needed. I cannot express my gratitude enough. My mum had the most perfect send off.

Diane Burnham

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Kelly and the team at Ashdowns were brilliant and the family would like to thank them all for the care, attention and respect at such a difficult time in our lives.

Sam Coulstock

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Kelly and her team were fantastic from the minute we asked them to look after mum to the funeral we couldn’t have asked for more help and compassion You treated her with dignity and respect and that brought us great comfort We Thankyou for helping…

Chris Thornborrow

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Kelly was absolutely amazing in assisting me with arranging my mums funeral. Her attention to detail was second to none, and no request was declined. At an extremely difficult time for me Kelly was a calm presence determined to give my mum the send off…

Kim Francis

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Kelly was an amazing support emotionally and practically on arranging the funeral for my husband. Her attention to detail and getting things right was excellent. Her respect for John in the chapel of rest was outstanding as was her care for us as a family.…

Lesley Finney

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Claire at Ashdowns in Blacken is an absolute diamond. She has helped me with both my parents funerals, with the most recent being last week. The service from Claire from start to finish was amazing, Claire is so friendly and helpful & always on the…

Julie Smith

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Ashdown Funeral Services Review January 2026 My Father passed away in November 2010. My Mother also wished to use Ashdown Funeral Services, when the time came. Unfortunately, Mum passed in November 2025. Now, we heard that Edward and Rachel Micallef, who were running Ashdown’s, and…

chris green

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The most warming service at such a difficult time for our family. Claire and family and the whole team looked after us with such care from start to finish. Everything was smooth from the organising to running the funeral day and nothing felt like a…

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Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

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Choice Funeral plans enable you to arrange and pay for your Funeral Director Services in advance, which could provide peace of mind to you and your family.

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