Cemeteries - regulations and applications

In accordance with industry guiding principles on cremation, Craven area’s policy allows for the holding over of cremations, principally to contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions.

• the coffin must be made of a suitable material which, when placed in a cremator and subjected to the cremation process, is easily combustible and which does not emit smoke, give off toxic gas or leave any retardant smears or drips after final combustion
• no metal of any kind shall be used in the manufacture of such coffin except as necessary for its safe construction and then only metal of a high ferrous content
• cross pieces must not be attached to the bottom of the coffin: if it is desired to strengthen the bottom of the coffin, wooden strips may be placed lengthways for this purpose
• cardboard coffins should not contain chlorine in the wet strength agent. (e.g. not using polyamidoamine-epichlorhydrin based resin (PAA-E)

• no metal furniture or fittings whatsoever shall be used on a coffin for cremation - coffin handles should be free from unnecessary metal components
• external coatings to a coffin must allow for smokeless combustion and the use of nitro-cellulose varnish, polyurethane, melamine and any products containing polyvinyl chloride (PVD) must not be used in coffin construction or furnishings
• water based lacquer free from additives containing heavy metals may be used for coating a coffin or a suitable cloth may be used for covering a coffin - the exception to this is the use of polystyrene which is restricted to the coffin nameplate only and this must not exceed 90 grams in weight

 the use of sawdust, cotton wool or shredded paper within a coffin must be avoided

• if lining a coffin is necessary, the lining should be manufactured from polythene not exceeding 75 microns in thickness
• lead or zinc linings must not be used
• the use of shredded paper within a coffin is not permitted

• in order to minimise the release of pollutants into the air, it is recommended that clothing should be made of natural fibres and that shoes or any material manufactured from PVC should not be included
• body adornments manufactured from copper should be removed as should any easily removable protheses or casts of plaster or other material
• additional items, particularly of glass or plastic, should not be placed within the coffin

It was once acceptable to bury implants within the cemetery, but now it's a huge environmental concern. Implants are made from medical grade stainless steel, titanium and cobalt chrome - all non-renewable resources. 

Metal recycling is carried out at Skipton Crematorium in accordance with the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) guidelines. We seek consent for the sensitive recycling of metals after cremation. All metal residues from the cremation process are sent to be recycled unless otherwise stated in the application form. Money raised from recycled metals is donated to local or national death related charities in the UK. 

If you don't want the metals to be recycled we are happy to return them to you or leave them in the cremated remains. If they're left in the cremated remains they would need to be buried rather than scattered. Other metals may also be returned including ferrous metals, mainly nails from the coffin, and some small granules of precious metals. 

Some burial schemes, such as woodland burial, may prohibit the use of chemicals including horticultural chemicals. Although research into the effects of embalming fluid on soil organisms and air quality is limited, environmentalists will generally disapprove of embalming. 

Those who have concerns over the effects of embalming and the environment have the right to stipulate that this is not carried out. 

Craven area's bereavement team were awarded gold for cremation and silver for burial in 2018 and again in 2019's annual charter for the bereaved assessment. 

You can find a full copy of the charter for the bereaved on the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) website.