What Happens at the Committal in a Cremation Service?

In a cremation funeral service, the point of the committal is a time when the family have a choice of either keeping the curtains open or closed. It is purely personal preference.

For some families they prefer the symbolic closure of the curtains as their act of final farewell. The coffin will not move until everyone has left the chapel, but they will not see it again after this point. It can help give the family a sense ending one chapter as they change their relationship with the person who has died from one of physical presence to one of memory.

For others families however, this can feel too out of their control. They would prefer the coffin remains visible until they leave the chapel. As not everyone will leave at exactly the same time, this can make the final farewell feel more gentle & personal.

Whatever a family’s choice, it will be honoured.