Attending a cremation service for the first time can feel unfamiliar and emotional. You may be wondering where to go, when to arrive, what happens when the coffin enters the chapel, how long the service lasts, and what happens afterwards.
At Tony Clarke Funeral Directors, we believe families should feel informed, supported and prepared. This guide explains what usually happens at a cremation service at Sunderland Crematorium, from arriving at the grounds through to leaving the Garden of Remembrance.
Every funeral is personal, and the exact arrangements may vary depending on the family’s wishes, the person conducting the service and the crematorium booking. We will explain everything clearly before the day. If you have never attended one before, knowing what happens at a cremation service can make the day feel a little less unfamiliar.
Services at Sunderland Crematorium are normally scheduled at 30-minute intervals.
The allocated time must allow for:
The time spent seated in the chapel is therefore usually shorter than the complete 30-minute booking.
Where a family expects a larger attendance, several tributes, live music or a longer ceremony, an extended service may be arranged in advance for an additional crematorium fee.
It is important that the service keeps to its booked time because another family may be arriving shortly afterwards.
This article is reviewed and maintained by Marek Clarke, Company Director, Managing Director and Funeral Director at Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
Last updated: 2 August 2026
This guidance is provided to help families understand what normally happens before, during and after a cremation service at Sunderland Crematorium. Procedures, timings and crematorium arrangements may change, so we will always confirm the current details and explain everything clearly before the funeral takes place.
Before the funeral, we will confirm the important details with the family and the person conducting the service.
This may include:
We will also explain when the funeral vehicles will arrive and what the family should expect on the day.
Where Tony Clarke Funeral Directors is providing the hearse or limousines, the funeral cortege will normally arrive at the family’s chosen address at the time confirmed in advance.
We usually aim to arrive at Sunderland Crematorium around five to ten minutes before the booked service, allowing enough time for the cortege to enter safely and for the funeral director to check that the chapel is ready.
The exact collection time will depend on:
Your funeral director will explain the timing before the funeral.
Another funeral may still be taking place when you arrive.
We kindly ask family members and mourners to keep conversations quiet and respectful near the chapel entrance. This protects the privacy of the family whose service is finishing and helps create a calm atmosphere for everyone.
Parking is available within the crematorium grounds.
There are spaces along the approach to the chapel, with additional parking available further around the grounds. Disabled parking spaces are available near the crematorium building.
Please avoid parking:
Funeral vehicles are long and require sufficient space to turn safely.
Mourners should allow enough time to park and walk to the chapel without rushing. Where possible, arriving approximately ten minutes before the service is sensible.
Sunderland Crematorium has a waiting area for mourners who arrive early or who may not wish to enter the main chapel immediately.
The waiting area may also be helpful for:
The crematorium can arrange for a service to be relayed into the waiting area when required.
The main chapel has seating for approximately 56 people, with additional standing room for around 30 mourners.
Accessible toilet facilities are available with level access. Anyone who requires help with access, seating or mobility should let us know before the funeral so that suitable arrangements can be discussed.
When the chapel is ready, the funeral director will organise the entrance.
The coffin may be carried by:
Where carrying the coffin would not be safe or suitable, it may be brought into the chapel on a dignified wheeled trolley. This can help protect the safety of the family, funeral staff and the person in our care.
Family members who wish to carry or help guide the coffin should tell us in advance. We will explain what is involved and ensure everyone feels confident and supported.
Before the service begins, our team will make sure that all agreed photographs, printed materials and personal items are positioned safely and appropriately.
These may include:
A framed photograph or photograph on canvas
A photograph displayed on or near the coffin
Printed orders of service
Prayer cards or memorial cards
A donation box
Small personal possessions or meaningful items
Approved decorative items, where suitable
Any personal possessions or display items must be discussed with us before the funeral. Our team will bring them into the chapel, place them safely and collect them afterwards so they can be returned to the family.
Balloons or other decorative items may sometimes be permitted, but these must be agreed in advance because they must not obstruct access, interfere with crematorium equipment or disturb another funeral.
Every funeral is different, but a typical cremation service may include the following elements.
Music is usually played while the coffin is brought into the chapel and the mourners take their seats.
This may be a favourite song, a meaningful piece of music, a hymn or instrumental music.
Music selections should be provided in advance so that availability can be checked through the crematorium’s music system.
The minister, celebrant or other person conducting the service will welcome everyone and introduce the ceremony.
The opening may acknowledge why everyone has gathered and offer words of comfort to the family.
A tribute may be delivered by:
The tribute usually reflects the person’s life, personality, relationships, memories and achievements.
Families do not have to speak themselves unless they wish to. A written tribute can be read on their behalf.
The service may include religious readings, non-religious poetry, prayers or personal words chosen by the family.
There is no single correct format. The ceremony can be religious, non-religious or a mixture of both.
A piece of music may be played during the middle of the service.
This creates time for quiet reflection and can also accompany a photographic tribute where one has been arranged.
Near the end of the service, the person conducting the funeral will give the final words of farewell.
The committal is the moment when the coffin is formally committed for cremation.
Depending on the family’s wishes and the crematorium arrangements:
This will be discussed with the family before the funeral.
The final piece of music is played as the family and mourners leave the chapel.
The funeral director will give the immediate family a quiet and respectful indication when it is time to stand and begin leaving.
Music, photographs and video tributes at Sunderland Crematorium are managed through the crematorium’s online Obitus system.
Families cannot bring a USB memory stick or other external device to the crematorium on the day and expect it to be connected to the chapel equipment.
If you would like music, a photograph, slideshow, family-created video or visual tribute to be shown during the service, it must be arranged with Tony Clarke Funeral Directors in advance. Understanding what happens at a cremation service can also help families decide what music, readings and personal tributes they would like to include.
Available options may include:
A single photograph displayed on the chapel screens
A basic slideshow of photographs
A photographic tribute set to music
A family-supplied tribute video
A personal recording, poem or eulogy
Entry, reflection and exit music
A webcast or recording of the service
Once the tribute has been ordered, the photographs, videos or recordings must be uploaded securely through Obitus. We can upload the material for the family or provide an approved upload link where appropriate.
All material should be supplied as early as possible so that it can be checked, prepared and delivered securely to the crematorium before the funeral.
External USB sticks, memory cards and other devices are not accepted by the Obitus chapel system.
Any proposed live music must be discussed with Tony Clarke Funeral Directors before the funeral.
This includes:
Pipers
Buglers
Brass or military-style bands
Singers or choirs
Drummers
Musicians performing as the cortege arrives
Music planned outside the chapel after the service
The chapel doors and surrounding areas are not fully soundproof. Loud music outside may be clearly heard inside while another family’s funeral is taking place.
For this reason, no band, piper, bugler or other live performer should attend without prior agreement from the funeral director and, where necessary, Sunderland Crematorium.
We must confirm:
Where the musician or group may stand
When they may begin playing
The expected volume
Whether another service will be taking place
Whether the proposed performance is permitted
Families should not arrange performers separately without informing us. If the crematorium has not approved the arrangement, staff may require the performance to stop.
These restrictions are not intended to prevent a meaningful tribute. They protect the dignity and privacy of every family using the crematorium.
Mourners normally leave through the designated exit leading towards the Garden of Remembrance.
The minister, celebrant or officiant may leave first, followed by the immediate family and other mourners.
We kindly ask everyone to proceed fully outside rather than gathering in the exit corridor. This allows other mourners to leave safely and helps the crematorium prepare for the next funeral.
Where requested, a donation box may be placed near the exit so that guests can make a contribution before leaving the building.
Our funeral director will remain close to the family and guide them throughout this part of the service.
After leaving the chapel, mourners may gather for a short time in the Garden of Remembrance.
This gives the family an opportunity to:
Families using the hearse and limousines are normally encouraged to keep this period to around 15 to 20 minutes.
This is practical guidance rather than a formal rule. It helps ensure the funeral cortege can leave before the vehicles for the following service need to arrive.
Mourners who have arrived in their own vehicles may remain within the wider grounds for longer, provided they remain considerate of other families and do not obstruct another funeral.
Our team will bring into the chapel and position any items agreed in advance, which may include:
Music, photographs, slideshows and video tributes for the chapel screens must be ordered and uploaded in advance through the Obitus system. USB sticks and other external devices cannot be connected to the chapel equipment.
Sunderland Crematorium services must finish within the time allocated to them.
Families should tell us in advance if they are planning:
Several long speeches or tributes
A large number of mourners
Live musicians
A lengthy photographic or video tribute
Additional readings or performances
Anything that may make the service longer than normal
Where more time is genuinely required, an extended chapel booking should be arranged in advance, subject to availability and an additional crematorium fee.
Families should not add unplanned speeches or performances on the day with the intention of extending the service. An overrun can delay the following funeral, affect another bereaved family and result in an additional crematorium charge.
If Sunderland Crematorium charges Tony Clarke Funeral Directors because a service has exceeded its booked time due to arrangements or additions requested by the family, that cost may need to be passed on to the person responsible for the funeral account.
We will always help the family plan the ceremony properly so that meaningful tributes can be included without causing distress or disruption to others.
After leaving the chapel, the immediate family and mourners are normally guided into the Garden of Remembrance.
This gives everyone a short opportunity to:
View the floral tributes
Speak to the family
Offer condolences
Share a few quiet words
Take appropriate photographs of the flowers
Where the family is using our hearse and limousines, we normally allow approximately 15 minutes in the Garden of Remembrance before the funeral director gently advises that it is time to return to the vehicles.
The funeral cortege can then continue to the wake, reception venue, family home or another agreed destination.
This time guidance is necessary because services are normally scheduled every 30 minutes. The next funeral cortege and congregation may soon be arriving and will also need access to the chapel, parking area and Garden of Remembrance.
Flowers from funerals are displayed within allocated areas according to the day of the service. If one group remains around the display area for too long, the following family may be unable to approach or view their own flowers privately.
The funeral director may therefore need to sensitively ask mourners to begin leaving. This is not intended to rush the family. It allows every funeral party to receive the same privacy, dignity and respectful use of the space.
Mourners who arrived in their own cars may remain within the wider crematorium grounds for longer. However, they must move their vehicles where necessary, avoid obstructing the next cortege and remain considerate of other families entering the Garden of Remembrance.
After the mourners have left, the coffin remains in the care of Sunderland Crematorium.
The cremation does not necessarily take place immediately after the service, but it will be carried out in accordance with the crematorium’s procedures and legal requirements.
Only one person is cremated at a time, except in exceptional circumstances where specific legal permission and family consent would be required.
The ashes are carefully identified throughout the process.
After the cremation, the ashes will be made available in accordance with the arrangements chosen by the family.
Options may include:
We will explain the available choices and any collection or delivery charges before arrangements are confirmed.
There is no need to make an immediate decision about the ashes.
Below we answer some of the questions families commonly ask about what happens at a cremation service at Sunderland Crematorium.
Services are normally scheduled at 30-minute intervals. This includes the time required for mourners to enter, the ceremony to take place and everyone to leave.
The seated service itself is therefore usually shorter than 30 minutes.
An extended service can be arranged in advance where more time is required.
Families can usually choose personal or meaningful music for the service, including music for the entrance, a time of reflection and the end of the ceremony.
All music must be requested and arranged in advance through Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and the crematorium’s Obitus system.
If a particular recording is unusual, privately recorded or difficult to source, we will ask Obitus to check whether it can be used. A specific version cannot always be guaranteed.
Music cannot normally be brought to the crematorium on a USB stick or personal device on the day.
Yes.
The coffin may be carried by family members, friends, funeral staff or a combination of both.
This must be discussed in advance so that everyone understands the route, positioning and safe carrying procedure.
Where carrying is not suitable, a dignified trolley can be used.
Yes.
Families can arrange framed photographs, a photograph on the coffin or a digital visual tribute.
Digital tributes and slideshows should be arranged in advance and may involve an additional crematorium charge.
Yes.
A waiting area is available near the chapel. A service may also be relayed into the waiting area on request.
Yes.
Public toilets are available at Sunderland Crematorium. Accessible toilet facilities are also available with level access.
Please ask a member of the crematorium team or your funeral director if assistance is needed.
No. Once the service has ended, mourners need to leave so that the chapel can be respectfully prepared for the next funeral.
Families can spend a short period together outside in the Garden of Remembrance.
Yes, subject to availability.
An extended chapel booking may be arranged in advance for an additional fee. This can be helpful where there will be several speakers, a large attendance, live music or a longer ceremony.
A secure webcast or recording may be available through the crematorium’s media service.
This can allow relatives and friends who cannot attend in person to watch the ceremony live or within an agreed viewing period.
It must be arranged before the funeral and may involve an additional fee.
Yes.
Parking is available within the crematorium grounds, including disabled parking near the building.
Mourners should avoid parking on bends or anywhere that could obstruct a hearse, limousine or another funeral cortege.
Mourners normally leave through the designated exit leading towards the Garden of Remembrance.
The funeral director will guide the immediate family and explain where the flowers and funeral vehicles will be located.
At Tony Clarke Funeral Directors, we support families before, during and after a cremation service.
We can help with:
You do not need to understand the whole process before contacting us.
We will explain what happens next, answer your questions and guide your family step by step.
If you are arranging a funeral or would like more information about what happens before, during or after the service, you may also find these pages helpful:
Funeral Music, Poems & Readings
Ideas and practical guidance for choosing entrance music, reflection music, exit music, poems, readings and personal tributes.
What Can You Do With Ashes After Cremation?
Information about keeping, scattering, burying or memorialising ashes after cremation.
Funeral Service Sheets & Memorial Cards
Find out more about printed orders of service, photographs, poems, readings and memorial stationery.
Funeral Packages & Prices
View our funeral options and pricing information for families arranging a funeral in Sunderland.
Personalised Funeral Options
Ideas for creating a more personal funeral, including music, flowers, vehicles, tributes and other meaningful touches.
Support After a Death
Practical guidance for families following a death, including what to do next and how funeral arrangements begin.
For help arranging a cremation service in Sunderland, contact Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
Telephone: 0191 565 6055
Telephone assistance is available 24 hours a day.
We have funeral homes across Sunderland in South Hylton, Millfield, Southwick and Downhill, with private appointments available for families.
Compassionate. Local. Independent.