Oakfield Gardens Crematorium
Features
Oakfield Gardens Crematorium – funeral services, facilities and visiting information
Oakfield Gardens Crematorium provides cremation services at Fordfield Road, Steppingley, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AD, near Flitwick. Central Bedfordshire Council owns and manages the crematorium, which opened in May 2024.
The modern building combines a contemporary service hall with landscaped grounds, a lake and remembrance areas. Families can choose a full funeral service, a shorter attended farewell or unattended direct cremation.
Whether you are arranging a funeral, checking an upcoming service or visiting a memorial, this guide explains the facilities, opening times and available options.
A caring crematorium serving Central Bedfordshire
Oakfield Gardens offers different service lengths so families can choose arrangements that suit their wishes. Its secular service hall provides a setting for personal farewells, with music and visual tributes available.
Most families arrange the funeral through a funeral director. However, anyone considering making arrangements themselves can contact the crematorium office for guidance.
The team also welcomes people who would like to view the facilities before making a decision. Call ahead to book a visit and discuss any questions about the service or memorial arrangements.
Location and surroundings
Oakfield Gardens Crematorium stands north of Flitwick, in the parish of Steppingley, between the A6 and M1.
Views from the building extend towards neighbouring fields and countryside. Meanwhile, tree-lined avenues and a water feature form part of the setting around the service hall.
The grounds include wildflower areas and planting designed to encourage wildlife. As a result, remembrance visits take place within a landscape that changes with the seasons.
Getting to Oakfield Gardens Crematorium
Use Fordfield Road, Steppingley, MK45 1AD when planning your journey.
Flitwick railway station provides an option for visitors travelling by train. From there, consider a taxi or check the walking route before travelling, particularly if anyone in your party has limited mobility.
Allow time to park and gather before the funeral begins. In addition, confirm the service time with the family or funeral director before setting out.
Parking and electric vehicle charging at Oakfield Gardens Crematorium
The site provides parking for up to 146 vehicles, including an overflow area for up to 54 vehicles.
Facilities include ten accessible spaces, drop-off spaces, a coach bay and covered cycle parking. Ten parking spaces have electric vehicle charging, including two accessible bays.
Charging is intended for people attending services or visiting the grounds. Check the current charging tariff on arrival.
Chapel and facilities at Oakfield Gardens Crematorium
Service hall capacity
The service hall seats up to 120 mourners. Sofas towards the front provide seating for immediate family, with chairs throughout the remaining space.
Standing is not permitted inside the hall. For larger gatherings, a screen and speakers can relay the service to mourners in the entrance lobby, while speakers also serve the covered entrance area.
Discuss expected attendance with your funeral director so the team can prepare appropriate arrangements.
Music and visual tributes
Oakfield Gardens uses the Obitus audio-visual system, offering a library of music and hymns.
Families can display a photograph during the service or arrange a slideshow, music tribute or prepared video. Two screens at the front of the hall show the chosen content.
The service hall does not provide hymn books. However, the words to many popular hymns can appear on the screens. Ask your funeral arranger to confirm the correct version.
Livestreaming and recordings
A webcast allows invited relatives and friends to follow the service remotely. The funeral arranger orders this, and the person organising the funeral receives the viewing details to share.
After processing, a recording can remain available online for a further 28 days. Downloads and keepsake recordings are also available.
Arrange these options in advance and confirm the charges with your funeral director.
Accessibility and hearing support
Staff can adapt seating for wheelchair users. The site has no steps, although the lobby has a slightly raised threshold; a ramp is available when needed.
A wheelchair can be booked in advance, and the service hall has a hearing loop.
Waiting room, toilets and refreshments
The waiting room provides seating, drinking water and a hot-drinks vending machine.
Unisex toilets and an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities serve the main building. These close at weekends and on public holidays. A separate accessible toilet in the book room building remains available for those visits.
Floral tribute area
After the service, mourners can move to a covered floral tribute area. This provides somewhere to view the flowers and gather briefly before leaving.
Funeral services and cremation options
Full attended service
A full service provides up to 45 minutes of service hall use, including mourners entering and leaving.
Therefore, the ceremony itself must fit within that booking. Your funeral director or celebrant can help plan readings, music and tributes around the available time.
Premium service
The Premium package provides 90 minutes of hall hire, including entry and exit. It also includes a webcast and a music tribute using up to 25 photographs.
The crematorium recommends this option for larger gatherings or services with additional speakers and content.
Shorter attended service
Early services before 10am provide a 20-minute booking, including arrival into and departure from the hall. The published fee schedule allows up to 50 mourners for this option.
Unattended direct cremation
Direct cremation takes place without mourners attending a service. Families can arrange a separate remembrance gathering elsewhere.
Cremation fees
The published fees valid 1 May–31 December 2026 include:
- Full adult service: £1,075
- Premium service: £1,600
- Early attended service: £622
- Unattended direct cremation: £492
These are crematorium charges, rather than complete funeral prices. Confirm the current fee and any extras when requesting an itemised funeral estimate.
Memorial gardens and remembrance options
Scattering ashes in the Meadow
The Meadow provides a scattering area divided into four seasons. Staff leave the grass longer to encourage wildflowers and wildlife, with cut pathways for access.
Scattering requires an appointment so staff can attend and record the location. For cremations carried out at Oakfield Gardens, scattering in this area carries no additional fee.
Above-ground niches and ashes burial plots
Families can choose Sanctum or Columbarium niches for above-ground interment. These accommodate up to two sets of cremated remains and include a memorial plaque.
Purchased ashes burial plots provide another option, with space for up to four sets of remains. Before deciding, discuss availability, lease terms and memorial arrangements with the office.
Eco-burial in the wildflower meadow
Oakfield Gardens also offers an eco-burial option for ashes within a wildflower area.
This uses a soil treatment and interment without a container, allowing the area to support wildlife and future use. Contact the team to discuss the process and how relatives can participate.
Book of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance provides a permanent written dedication. Entries can include two to eight lines of text, with optional artwork, and families can also view entries online.
A two-line entry is available without charge for qualifying full attended services, provided the application arrives within three months of the funeral. Ask the office to confirm eligibility and charges for additional lines or artwork.
Other memorials and keepsakes
The crematorium offers further memorial choices, including oak panels in the book room and personal keepsake items.
Arrange an appointment to compare the options. Staff can explain what each memorial includes, its dedication period and any conditions that apply.
Contact details
Name: Oakfield Gardens Crematorium
Owner and operator: Central Bedfordshire Council
Address: Fordfield Road, Steppingley, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AD
Telephone: 0300 300 8448
General email: crematorium@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Memorial enquiries: memorials@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–4.30pm, excluding public holidays.
Published service hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9am–4pm
- Friday: 9am–3pm
Grounds opening hours: Seven days a week, including public holidays.
- 1 April–30 September: 9am–6pm
- 1 October–31 March: 9am–4pm
The vehicle gate operates automatically. Therefore, leave the grounds before the stated closing time.
Official website: access the website here
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find upcoming funerals at Oakfield Gardens Crematorium?
The crematorium publishes an upcoming funeral services page on its website and updates it at the end of each day.
Some families request that their funeral does not appear. Consequently, an absent listing does not mean the service is not taking place. Confirm details with the family or funeral director, as the crematorium states that it cannot confirm services omitted at the family’s request.
To view the funeral diary, access the website here:
How long is a funeral at Oakfield Gardens Crematorium?
A full booking allows 45 minutes, the Premium option allows 90 minutes, and an early attended booking allows 20 minutes. Each includes the time needed for mourners to enter and leave the hall.
How many people can attend a funeral?
The service hall seats 120 mourners. Additional visitors can follow the service from the lobby and covered entrance area. For a larger funeral, discuss the Premium option and overflow arrangements with your funeral director.
Can I watch an Oakfield Gardens funeral online?
Yes, if the family has arranged a webcast. Ask the funeral organiser for viewing details. The public funeral diary and the webcast are separate, so a diary entry does not automatically provide access to a broadcast.
What time do the remembrance grounds close?
The grounds close at 6pm from April to September and at 4pm from October to March. They open daily at 9am, including public holidays. Allow enough time to return to your vehicle and leave before the automatic gate closes.