Current Cremation Regulations in England and Wales
The Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 have been amended twice since coming into force on 1st January 2009. A copy of the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 and current forms can be downloaded using the links below. Current copies of associated Guidance can also be downloaded below.
The Cremation (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 came into force on 1st October 2017 and introduced a statutory definition for ashes. They also removed the need to keep original cremation paperwork for 2 years once when it had been scanned.
A copy of the 2016 amended regulations can be downloaded here.
The Cremation (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 came into form on 6th April 2018. The amended regulations provide new cremation forms, including a section for the applicant’s instructions on what should happen to the ashes. The applicant is also required to acknowledge that there may be some very rare instances where no ashes are recoverable following a cremation. The amended regulations also give a crematorium the option of returning ashes to somebody other than the applicant in exceptional circumstances. The regulations also permit the submission of electronic forms without the need to follow these up with paper copies. They also permit the Ministry of Justice to issue forms in the Welsh language.
A copy of the Cremation (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 can be downloaded here.
Key to Forms (Copies can be downloaded)
- A copy of the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 can be downloaded here
- Cremation Form 1 – Application for Cremation
- Cremation Form 2 – Application for cremation of body parts
- Cremation Form 3 – Application for cremation of stillborn baby
- Cremation Form 4 – Medical certificate
- Cremation Form 5 – Confirmatory medical certificate
- Cremation Form 6 – Certificate of Coroner
- Cremation Form 7 – Certificate following anatomical examination
- Cremation Form 8 – Certificate releasing body parts for cremation
- Cremation Form 9 – Certificate of stillbirth
- Cremation Form 10 – Authorisation of cremation of deceased person by the medical referee
- Cremation Form 11 – Certificate after post-mortem examination
- Cremation Form 12 – Authorisation of cremation of body parts by the medical referee
- Cremation Form 13 – Authorisation of cremation of a still born child by the medical referee
- Copies of the Forms and Guidance in Welsh can be downloaded here
Further Guidance
Guidance for:
Cremation Authorities
Medical Practitioners
Funeral Directors
Applicants
Can Be Downloaded here.
Guidance for Medical Referees can be downloaded here.