September 2007 – Open Day at the Crematorium – 1 September 2007

On Saturday 1 September Carol, Rachael and I went to the Annual Open Day at the IW Crematorium at Whippingham. Now you might think that’s a strange way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but all the team who work for Bereavement Services at the Crematorium, are very helpful to us as a Group and we thought it would be good to go and find out a bit more about the work they do.

We were given a guided tour by Sue, the assistant Manager, and we met most of the team who work there. Perhaps it is something about working with death, but all the people who work in Bereavement Services are friendly, kind, thoughtful and sensitive. In the office you get a real sense that they work together as a team, and I found myself thinking, ‘I bet this is a great place to work’.

Our tour started off in the office and Sue explained first about cemeteries and burials and showed us some of the old record books. Then she went on to explain about all the forms, the checks and the double checks that are required for a burial or cremation to take place.

Next we went into the chapel where the funeral ceremonies take place. Sue told us that a funeral can be conducted in any religion or can have a non-religious ceremony. The deceased person may have stipulated in their will how they wanted the service to be or the bereaved family and or friends may have wishes. The funeral undertakers and the staff at the crematorium will try to accommodate these wishes as far as possible and as long as the service is conducted with respect and reverence.

After the committal the bereaved family and friends are channelled out past the Room of Remembrance to the outside, and the coffin is taken to the cremators. The cremators are in an area where generally members of the public never go so it was interesting see the equipment, learn about the process and how the ashes are finally obtained. Some people might find this process a little disturbing, but personally I found it reassuring that even at this stage there are checks and double checks in place and staff dedicated to making sure that everything is done right.

Next we had a short tour of the grounds with the head gardener who explained about the gardens the various ways that the deceased can be remembered, for example by scattering of the ashes, by remembrance plaques or interment of the ashes. If you have never visited the gardens of the crematorium they are well worth a visit, they are extremely well tended and full of flowers and messages to departed loved ones.

Finally we went to the room where the Book of Remembrance is kept, this room is always full of flowers and messages to the deceased and the beautiful ornate Book of Remembrance is open to the day of the month in a glass, protective case. There is also an electronic version of the book so you can look at other entries. I managed to find the entry for my grandparents, which I had never seen before.

We ended the tour back at the foyer to the chapel where volunteers from the Motor Neuron Association were serving refreshments in return for a donation.

Later in the day there was a memorial service in the chapel followed by a dedication service for the areas for ashes interment, unfortunately we were unable to stay for the service.

Thanks to the whole team at the Crematorium for an interesting and informative day.

Janette Gregson
Secretary
Ryde Social Heritage Group
2 September 2007