Cambridge Crematorium — Funeral Services in Cambridge

Cambridge Crematorium provides religious, non-religious and secular funeral services in peaceful surroundings on Huntingdon Road. Operated by Cambridge City Council, the crematorium has two chapels, extensive memorial gardens, accessible facilities and parking for more than 100 cars.

Families can choose the smaller, traditional East Chapel or the considerably larger West Chapel. Furthermore, music, webcasting and service recordings allow relatives to create a personal farewell and include people who cannot attend in person.

A caring crematorium serving Cambridge and Cambridgeshire

Cambridge Crematorium serves families from across Cambridge and the surrounding county. Its location is convenient for communities including Girton, Histon, Bar Hill, Cambourne, Cottenham, Waterbeach, Royston, Newmarket and Ely.

The crematorium welcomes people of every faith and belief. Services may follow a religious tradition, take a completely non-religious form or combine readings, music and personal tributes chosen by the family.

A funeral director can arrange the booking, submit the necessary forms and coordinate music and other service details. However, families may also arrange a cremation without employing a funeral director by contacting the council’s Bereavement Services team.

Location and directions

Cambridge Crematorium stands on Huntingdon Road, approximately four miles north-west of Cambridge city centre. Huntingdon Road Cemetery is situated beside the crematorium and shares the same approach.

Arriving by car

Drivers should approach the crematorium from the A1307 rather than the A14. Cambridge City Council recommends searching for Cambridge Crematorium in a satellite-navigation system instead of relying solely on the postcode, as some devices may suggest an unsuitable route.

The car park has space for more than 100 vehicles. Nevertheless, mourners should arrive in good time, particularly when a service is expected to attract a large attendance.

Peaceful and accessible grounds

The crematorium contains formal memorial areas, woodland, ponds and quieter garden spaces. Clear signs help visitors find the chapels, office, Book of Remembrance and different memorial sections.

The gardens remain open at all times. Consequently, families can visit for quiet reflection outside normal office hours.

Chapels and facilities

Cambridge Crematorium has two chapels with different capacities and architectural styles. Both can accommodate religious and non-religious ceremonies.

East Chapel

The East Chapel seats approximately 55 mourners. Opened with the crematorium in 1938, it offers a more traditional and intimate setting for smaller funerals.

The chapel provides accessible routes for wheelchair users and people who use mobility aids. It also has a music system, an induction hearing loop and an adjoining waiting room.

West Chapel

The West Chapel seats approximately 190 mourners, including some seats in a balcony overlooking the main chapel. Its larger capacity makes it suitable for funerals where substantial attendance is expected.

A screen can display photographs, slideshows and video clips during the ceremony. Therefore, families who want a visual tribute should usually choose the West Chapel and arrange the content in advance.

Music and personal tributes

Both chapels have digital music facilities, giving families access to an extensive music library. The crematorium will also try to source a requested piece when it is not already available.

Families can include readings, prayers, poems, eulogies and periods of reflection. However, they should provide all music and service instructions before the required deadline.

Webcasting and recordings

Services in either chapel can be streamed live online for relatives and friends who cannot attend. Webcasts can also remain available on demand for a limited period.

Audio and video recordings may be ordered on a DVD or USB drive. Downloads and additional copies are also available, while an extra charge normally applies to each of these services.

Accessibility and visitor comfort

Both chapels have induction loops for visitors with compatible hearing aids. The site also includes male, female and accessible toilets.

Each chapel has a separate waiting room with a vending machine. In addition, step-free routes help wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility move between the car park, chapels and principal facilities.

Anyone with a particular access requirement should contact the crematorium before the funeral.

Service times and booking

Standard attended services are available in both chapels from Monday to Friday. Classic daytime appointments generally run between 10.00am and 3.30pm, although the precise times differ between the East and West chapels.

Earlier and later appointments are also available at a reduced crematorium fee. Limited Saturday services may be offered for an additional charge.

A standard booking normally provides a 60-minute chapel period, including the arrival and departure of mourners. Additional chapel time can be purchased when a longer ceremony is required. Families should confirm the usable ceremony time with their funeral director before planning music, readings and tributes.

The crematorium usually requires at least three working days’ notice, together with the completed cremation application, preliminary service instructions and relevant medical documentation.

Attended and unattended cremations

An attended cremation allows family and friends to gather in one of the chapels for a funeral ceremony. Families can select the chapel according to the expected attendance and the type of tribute they wish to include.

Cambridge City Council also offers a simpler attended funeral option with a short period in the East Chapel for a limited number of mourners. This arrangement has specific conditions, so families should check what is included before booking.

An unattended cremation takes place without mourners or a chapel ceremony. The family may then arrange a memorial service or celebration of life elsewhere at another time.

Memorial gardens and remembrance options

Cambridge Crematorium has a wide range of memorial areas. These include a sunken garden, memorial woodland, wildflower wood, wildlife rockery, ornamental pond and a dedicated memorial garden for babies and children.

The site also contains a Book of Remembrance, columbarium, pergola and memorial vaults. In addition, families can consider plaques and other commemorative options within the Gardens of Remembrance.

Memorial availability, lease periods and prices vary. Therefore, families should speak to the Bereavement Services team before deciding which option feels most appropriate.

Cremated remains and ashes

Following the cremation, the family or funeral director can collect the ashes. Alternatively, the crematorium can retain them while relatives consider what they would like to do.

Families may arrange for cremated remains to be scattered in the gardens or woodland. Crematorium staff can explain the available locations and record the scattering as part of the site’s statutory duty of care.

Ashes can also be divided into separate containers for different relatives. Additional containers and certificates may incur a charge.

The crematorium can keep ashes without charge for an initial period. However, storage charges may apply after three months, so families should confirm their instructions promptly.

Cremation fees

Fees depend on the appointment time, day and type of service. Standard daytime funerals, reduced-fee early or late appointments, Saturday services and unattended cremations all have different charges.

Webcasting, recordings, visual tributes, additional chapel time and some ashes services may cost extra. Since the crematorium reviews its fees annually, families should request the current price list before confirming arrangements.

The crematorium fee forms only one part of the overall funeral expense. Funeral director charges, the coffin, transport, an officiant and other personal choices may also contribute to the total. A cremation cost calculator can help families prepare an initial estimate.

Contact details

Name: Cambridge Crematorium
Address: Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0JJ
Telephone: 01223 458000
Out-of-hours telephone: 01223 901101
Email: bereavementservices@cambridge.gov.uk
Office opening times: Monday to Friday, 10.00am–3.00pm
Garden opening times: Open at all times
Website: Cambridge Crematorium official website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking at Cambridge Crematorium?

Yes. Cambridge Crematorium has parking for more than 100 cars. Visitors should approach from the A1307 and search for Cambridge Crematorium in their navigation system rather than relying only on the postcode.

How many people can attend a funeral at Cambridge Crematorium?

The East Chapel seats approximately 55 people. The larger West Chapel seats around 190 mourners, including seating in a balcony overlooking the main room.

How long is a service at Cambridge Crematorium?

A standard booking normally provides a 60-minute chapel period, including time for mourners to enter and leave. Families can purchase an additional 60 minutes when they need a longer ceremony.

Can a funeral at Cambridge Crematorium be watched online?

Yes. Services can be streamed live for people who cannot attend. Families may also order audio or video recordings, downloads and additional copies for a fee.

Are there toilets at Cambridge Crematorium?

Yes. Male, female and accessible toilets are available. Both chapels also have waiting rooms, induction hearing loops and accessible routes for wheelchair and mobility-aid users.