Cheltenham Crematorium

Cheltenham Crematorium – funeral services, facilities and visiting information

Cheltenham Crematorium provides cremation services at Bouncers Lane in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Cheltenham Borough Council operates the crematorium through its bereavement services team, with two contemporary chapels, landscaped remembrance gardens and a smaller Sanctuary Chapel for baby funerals.

Whether you are arranging a funeral, attending a service or visiting a memorial, the information below explains the chapel options, parking arrangements, opening hours and ways to remember someone after cremation.

A caring crematorium serving Cheltenham and the surrounding area

Cheltenham Crematorium offers a choice of attended funeral services and unattended direct cremation. As a result, families can choose arrangements that reflect their wishes, beliefs and circumstances.

The crematorium welcomes non-religious ceremonies as well as religious services. Alternatively, families can hold the main funeral at a place of worship or another venue, followed by a shorter committal ceremony at the crematorium.

Your funeral director can help you choose a chapel, check availability and coordinate the arrangements. Meanwhile, the bereavement services team can answer questions about visiting, cremation procedures and memorial options.

Location and surroundings

Cheltenham crematorium stands within the grounds of Cheltenham Cemetery at Bouncers Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5JT. Cleeve Hill provides a backdrop to the site, while trees and landscaped areas create a quieter setting for funerals and remembrance visits.

Finding the correct chapel

The modern crematorium sits towards the far end of the grounds. Therefore, visitors attending a funeral should follow the signs to the New Crematorium, rather than stopping at the historic Victorian chapels.

Allow extra time to travel through the site and reach the correct building. In particular, tell your taxi driver which chapel you need, as a drop-off at the cemetery entrance leaves a considerable walk.

Travelling by public transport

Visitors arriving by train can continue by taxi from Cheltenham Spa railway station. Ask the driver to take you to the modern crematorium building within the grounds.

The council also identifies the A bus route from Cheltenham town centre as an option for reaching the area. However, check the current route and timetable before travelling, and allow time to walk from your stop.

Parking at Cheltenham Crematorium

The chapel car park provides:

• 111 standard parking spaces
• Seven disabled parking spaces
• Three minibus bays
• Four spaces for officiants
• Four bicycle racks

A separate car park serves the Gardens of Remembrance. Consequently, if you are attending a service in Oak or Willow Chapel, continue past the first car park and follow the crematorium signs.

Chapel and facilities at Cheltenham Crematorium

The contemporary chapels use Cotswold stone and make the most of views towards the surrounding hills. Each main chapel has its own waiting room with a water dispenser, giving mourners somewhere to gather before the service.

Oak Chapel

Oak Chapel seats 146 people, according to its dedicated official information page. It is the larger of the two main chapels and offers an option for funerals with more mourners.

Families can arrange recorded music through the Obitus system. An organ is also available to book for an additional charge.

Willow Chapel

Willow Chapel seats 71 people, according to its dedicated official information page. Its smaller size may suit families who prefer a more intimate gathering.

Like Oak Chapel, it offers Obitus music facilities and the option to book an organ for an additional fee.

If you expect attendance to exceed the seated capacity of either chapel, discuss arrangements with your funeral director before booking.

Sanctuary Chapel for baby funerals

The Sanctuary Chapel at Cheltenham Crematorium provides a small, private setting for baby funerals and accommodates up to four mourners. Families reach it through the Oak Chapel waiting area.

Alternatively, the crematorium can move the small catafalque into one of the larger chapels. This allows families to consider a setting that suits the number of people attending.

Music, photographs and livestreaming

Classic services offer options for personal music, visual tributes and webcasting through Obitus. These can help families include favourite songs, photographs and relatives who cannot attend in person.

Ask your funeral director about the available packages, charges and submission deadlines. In addition, arrange any organ music in advance.

Accessibility and assistance dogs

Cheltenham crematorium provides designated disabled parking spaces. However, visitors with limited mobility should also consider the route back to their vehicle after the service.

The council notes that the walk from Oak Chapel’s Reflection Garden to the main car park is quite long. A side gate offers a shorter route to a small parking area at the front of the building.

Contact the bereavement team before your visit if you need help with access, seating or specific toilet facilities. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not permitted in the chapels or grounds.

Funeral services and cremation options

Classic funeral service

The crematorium’s dedicated funeral-services page describes the Classic booking as 50 minutes, including entry and exit.

Therefore, this is not 50 minutes of ceremony time. Your funeral director or celebrant can help plan readings, music and tributes within the available slot.

Afterwards, mourners can move into the Reflection Garden to view floral tributes and speak briefly with family and friends.

Sunrise service

The Sunrise option offers a shorter attended service. The published description allows up to 15 minutes for the ceremony, with additional time for mourners to enter and leave.

Families and friends can attend, and music options are available. Confirm the chapel, booking time and exact arrangements with your funeral director.

Direct cremation at Cheltenham Crematorium

Cheltenham Crematorium also offers unattended direct cremation. This option does not include a funeral gathering at the crematorium, and mourners cannot attend.

Families can instead arrange a separate memorial or celebration of life at a time and place of their choosing.

Service dates and funeral diary

Cremation services normally take place Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Your funeral director will check available dates and book the appropriate service.

The official bereavement services website also provides access to an upcoming funeral diary. If you are attending a funeral, confirm the time and chapel with the family or funeral director before travelling.

Cremation fees

Charges depend on the service you choose and any additional arrangements, such as an organist, visual tribute or webcast.

The crematorium fee forms only part of the overall funeral cost. Therefore, ask your funeral director for an itemised estimate that distinguishes their services from crematorium charges and other expenses.

For current prices, consult the council’s bereavement services fee schedule or contact the office directly.

Memorial gardens and remembrance options

The Gardens of Remembrance provide a place to return after the funeral. Trees, shrub beds, ponds and a stream crossed by Cotswold stone footbridges create areas for quiet reflection.

Scattering or collecting ashes

Families can arrange scattering in the Gardens of Remembrance, either with relatives present or without an attended appointment.

For a witnessed scattering, the bereavement team requires at least 48 hours’ notice. Appointments normally take place on weekdays, excluding bank holidays.

Alternatively, families can arrange to collect the ashes for a different resting place. Discuss your wishes with your funeral director or the office before making arrangements.

Burial and memorial vaults

Other options include interment in a cremated remains grave or an existing full-sized grave, subject to the necessary permission.

The council also offers secure memorial vaults above or below ground. The bereavement team can explain locations, availability, charges and any rights or agreements involved.

Book of Remembrance and personal memorials

Memorial choices include Book of Remembrance entries, granite memorials, bronze kerb plaques, benches and living memorials.

The Book of Remembrance sits in a room within the Oak Chapel foyer. Access follows the crematorium’s operating hours, rather than the longer opening hours of the grounds.

In addition, the team offers urns, keepsakes and memorial jewellery for families who prefer a personal remembrance item.

Children’s memorial garden

The site includes a children’s memorial garden and remembrance house. Here, families can sit together, while younger visitors can write messages or draw pictures using the materials provided.

Floral tributes

The council normally removes funeral floral tributes seven days after the cremation service. If you would like to keep particular flowers or cards, arrange collection beforehand.

Refreshments and wakes

The historic Victorian chapels within the cemetery grounds now house The Old Chapel, a separate café and venue for wakes and gatherings.

This offers an option for refreshments close to the crematorium. However, confirm opening times, room availability and catering directly with the venue before making plans.

The historic buildings are separate from the modern Oak and Willow funeral chapels, so check which location you need when visiting.

Contact details

Name: Cheltenham Cemetery and Crematorium
Operator: Cheltenham Borough Council Bereavement Services
Address: Bouncers Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5JT
Telephone: 01242 244245
Email: cemetery@cheltenham.gov.uk

Bereavement office visiting hours: Monday to Friday, 10.30am–2.30pm, excluding bank holidays.
Telephone enquiry hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–3pm, excluding bank holidays.

Grounds and Gardens of Remembrance opening hours:

• 1 April–30 September: 8am–7.30pm daily
• 1 October–31 March: 8am–5.30pm daily

The grounds normally open throughout the year, including bank holidays. However, check for temporary changes before a special journey.

Official website: access the website here

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Cheltenham Crematorium open?

The grounds and Gardens of Remembrance open daily at 8am. They close at 7.30pm from April to September and at 5.30pm from October to March. Meanwhile, the office welcomes visitors from 10.30am to 2.30pm on weekdays, excluding bank holidays.

How long is a funeral at Cheltenham Crematorium?

A Classic booking lasts 50 minutes, including entry and exit. The shorter Sunrise option allows up to 15 minutes for the ceremony. Confirm the time available for readings, music and tributes with your funeral director.

Is there parking at Cheltenham Crematorium?

Yes. The chapel car park includes 111 standard spaces, seven disabled spaces and three minibus bays. Follow signs to the New Crematorium for Oak and Willow Chapel services; the first car park serves the Gardens of Remembrance.

Can I watch a Cheltenham Crematorium funeral online?

Webcasting is available as an option for Classic services. However, the family must arrange it in advance. Ask the funeral organiser for viewing details, as access is not automatically available for every funeral.

Can families attend an ashes scattering?

Yes. Families can book a witnessed scattering in the Gardens of Remembrance. Contact the bereavement office with at least 48 hours’ notice to arrange an appointment. Staff carry out the scattering, so visitors should not scatter ashes independently within the grounds

How can I find upcoming funerals at Cheltenham Crematorium?

Cheltenham Crematorium provides an online funeral service diary through EverAfter. This helps mourners check upcoming services before planning their visit. However, if you cannot find the funeral you are attending, contact the funeral director or bereavement office to confirm the time and chapel.

To view the upcoming funeral services diary, access the website here: