Breckland Crematorium — Compassionate Cremation Services in Rural Norfolk

Breckland Crematorium provides funeral and cremation services in the peaceful Norfolk countryside.

Located near Scoulton, it serves families from Watton, Wymondham, Dereham, Attleborough, Thetford and surrounding communities including Norwich.

Its spacious chapel, landscaped memorial gardens and family-run team offer a calm and dignified setting in which to say goodbye.

Location and surroundings

Breckland Crematorium stands on Norwich Road in Scoulton, surrounded by open countryside. The crematorium opened in 2019 and combines modern facilities with a quiet rural setting.

The Thornalley family founded and continues to run the crematorium. The family has served bereaved families in Norfolk since 1981 and places particular emphasis on personal care, dignity and respect.

Easy access from surrounding areas

The crematorium lies between Watton and Hingham, with road access from several parts of central and south Norfolk. As a result, it offers a convenient choice for families travelling from nearby towns and rural communities.

Drivers can use a large car park with 56 standard spaces and four designated disabled spaces. In addition, an overflow car park sits close to the main parking area.

Peaceful and well-kept grounds

The extensive grounds create a restful environment before and after a funeral. Landscaped areas, paths, seating and a large pond provide several quiet places for reflection. However, visitors should supervise children near the water.

The rural location adds to the sense of privacy. Nevertheless, families should note that balloon and sky-lantern releases are not permitted because of the surrounding countryside.

Chapel and facilities

Chapel style and capacity

The modern chapel provides seating for more than 100 people. Its spacious design can accommodate both intimate gatherings and larger funeral congregations.

Services may follow a religious, non-religious or civil format. Therefore, families can shape the ceremony around the beliefs, personality and wishes of the person who has died.

An organ is available for families who would like live hymns or other suitable music. An organist can also be arranged for an additional charge.

Music, tributes and personalisation

The chapel uses the Obitus system, which gives families access to a wide selection of recorded music. Wall-mounted screens can display a single photograph, slideshow or video tribute during the ceremony.

Breckland Crematorium can also provide live webcasting and recordings. Password-protected webcasts allow relatives and friends who cannot attend in person to watch remotely. Furthermore, the webcast remains available for up to 28 days after the funeral.

Families should arrange music, visual tributes, webcasting and recordings through their funeral director before the service.

The Flower Court

After leaving the chapel, mourners can follow a covered walkway to the oak-framed Flower Court. Here, staff arrange the floral tributes from each funeral so that family members and friends can view them.

Flowers normally remain on display for up to five days. Families who wish to keep particular arrangements should collect them within this period. Afterwards, staff compost any uncollected flowers for use within the Gardens of Remembrance.

Accessibility and visitor comfort

Four designated disabled parking spaces provide convenient access for visitors with limited mobility. The chapel and adjoining areas also occupy a modern, purpose-built site. However, anyone with specific mobility, seating or access requirements should contact the office before visiting so that the team can offer suitable assistance.

Assistance dogs may enter the chapel. In addition, up to two dogs belonging to the person who has died may attend the funeral, provided they remain under close control. Families should notify the crematorium in advance whenever possible.

Memorial gardens and remembrance options

The landscaped Gardens of Remembrance contain traditional and contemporary memorial choices. Paths lead through planted areas and around the large pond, while benches offer peaceful places to sit and remember a loved one.

Available memorial options include:

• Entries in the Book of Remembrance

• Personalised leaves on the Mulberry Memory Tree

• Garden and wildflower meadow plaques

• Plaques on the Barbican Memorial

• Boulder memorials

• Bronze plaques placed near trees

• Granite memorial benches

• Sanctum above-ground vaults for up to two caskets

• Traditional interment plots for cremated remains

The Book of Remembrance sits in a dedicated garden room and opens each day at the relevant date. Unlike many other memorials, an entry in the book remains permanently. Other personalised memorials usually stay in place for a selected lease period, after which families may renew the arrangement or collect the plaque.

Visitors may leave flowers at memorials. However, the crematorium asks families not to leave glassware, candles, toys, ornaments, pot plants or other personal objects because staff may remove them to keep the grounds safe and well maintained.

Service length and booking

Funeral services usually take place from Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Saturday morning services may also be available for an additional charge.

The first service begins at 9.15am and allows 25 minutes in the chapel. From 10.00am, services generally start hourly until 4.00pm and provide 40 minutes of chapel time. Families who need longer can arrange an extended booking through their funeral director.

The crematorium also offers shorter attended options and unattended direct cremations. However, the arrangements and permitted service content differ, so families should discuss the most appropriate choice with their funeral director.

Prices and practical details

Cremation fees depend on the time, day and type of service selected. At the time of writing, the standard Monday-to-Friday attended service costs £1,190 and includes a 40-minute chapel booking. The reduced 9.15am service costs £975, while a Saturday morning service costs £1,595.

An attended direct cremation and unattended direct cremation options are also available. Additional charges may apply for extended chapel time, an organist, webcasting, recordings, visual tributes and other optional services.

Prices can change. Therefore, families should always ask their funeral director or the crematorium office to confirm the latest fee before making arrangements. The overall funeral cost may also include the funeral director’s services, coffin, transport, officiant and additional tributes.

Contact details

Address: Breckland Crematorium, Norwich Road, Scoulton, Norfolk, NR9 4NR
Telephone: 01953 850219
Email: office@brecklandcrem.co.uk
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm, excluding bank holidays
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Website: You can access the website here

Frequently Asked Questions

Is parking available at Breckland Crematorium?

Yes. The main car park has 56 standard parking spaces and four designated disabled spaces. An overflow car park also provides additional capacity close to the main parking area.

How long is a funeral service at Breckland Crematorium?

Standard services between 10.00am and 4.00pm allow 40 minutes inside the chapel. The reduced-fee service at 9.15am allows 25 minutes. Families can also book additional time through their funeral director if they expect to need a longer ceremony.

Can you watch a funeral online from Breckland Crematorium?

Yes. Families can arrange a password-protected live webcast through the Obitus system. The recording can remain available to watch for up to 28 days after the funeral. Your funeral director can arrange this service and confirm the applicable fee.

What are the opening times for Breckland Crematorium?

The office opens from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. The memorial gardens open every day from 9.00am until 6.00pm during summer and from 9.00am until dusk in winter.

What can families do with ashes at Breckland Crematorium?

Families can collect the ashes, arrange a witnessed or unwitnessed scattering, or choose a permanent resting place within the memorial gardens. Options include traditional interment plots and above-ground Sanctum vaults. Memorial plaques, benches, the Mulberry Memory Tree and the Book of Remembrance can also create a lasting tribute.