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Once a cremation has taken place, you can take the cremated remains with you. Or, if you want to have them placed at the crematorium, you can choose from a memorial option:
We also supply a range of urns and keepsakes in various designs and materials.
Cremated remains can be retained at the crematorium for a period of 16 weeks, however If appropriate arrangements have not been made during this period, then the applicant will be notified of the intent to scatter such cremated remains in the Garden of Remembrance with no family present.
Please note that only memorials supplied and installed by us may be placed within the grounds of the crematorium. Any unauthorised items will removed.
Fees for memorials must be paid at the time of booking.
There are four Books of Remembrance, one for each quarter of the year, with a separate page viewable each day.
The pages are turned daily so that a lasting record appears at each anniversary, according to the date of death.
An inscription in the books provides a simple and lasting memorial to your loved one and you can choose the date you want your inscription to appear. To have your entry placed in time for a first anniversary, please submit your preferred wording to us within seven months of the date of death.
Books are sent to England for inscription and therefore not available for view when new entries are being added.
All our books are handmade and bound in gold-tooled vellum with blue and black calligraphy and gold initial letters. You can choose an inscription of two, five or eight lines. Floral motifs, badges, coats of arms and emblems can be included with an entry of five or eight lines. If you have a specific image in mind, please provide us with a clear colour photograph. Space can also be reserved alongside an existing entry for future use.
The books are displayed in a purpose-built cabinet in a special room at the end of the floral tribute hallway inside the crematorium building. Entries can be viewed during our normal opening hours as long as the relevant book is available.
You can also view an online version of the Book of Remembrance (link opens in new window).
The processing of applications for entries into the Book of Remembrance has been suspended.
The columbarium, located at the side of the main crematorium building, allows families to place specific galvanised urns of cremated remains into special niches. It is made up of two separate units, edged with annual bedding plants.
There are 45 numbered niches in each unit, each with a front section which incorporates a black memorial plaque. The cremated remains are then placed behind the plaque where there is enough room for two standard urns.
Plaques can be engraved with your own personalised inscription and motif, if required, and niches can be leased for 25-year periods. Please don’t leave flowers and personal items at the base of the columbarium. Any items will be removed immediately by staff.
The best way to select a niche is to visit us and a member of staff will show you the area. If you are unable to visit in person, our experienced staff can make a selection on your behalf.
As columbarium leases are renewable, it is important you notify us if you change your address, so we can write to you at the end of your lease period. If you decide not to renew your lease, or do not claim your cremated remains, they will be respectfully scattered in the Garden of Remembrance after three months so the niche can be used by other families.
During this simple act, cremated remains are scattered on a lawn in the Garden of Remembrance, directly behind the main crematorium building, from our special urn. You are welcome to come along to the scattering or, if you want to take part, our staff can show you how to operate the scattering urn.
If you would like a minister of religion to be present, you should make these arrangements with the clergy in advance. Please note that memorials are not permitted in the Garden of Remembrance.
The Garden of Remembrance is located directly behind the main crematorium building and is accessible to everyone.
To help keep the garden tidy, flowers, ornaments, bowls, toys or pictures are not allowed on or around the memorial stone books. Any items will be removed immediately.
Memorial stone books have been erected in the Garden of Remembrance at the City of Belfast Crematorium and Shankill Graveyard
Each memorial book is made of granite, is free-standing and comes with a hand-carved cord and tassel.
There are 208 individually numbered tablets on each book. You can purchase a tablet and have the wording of your choice, up to 75 characters, engraved on it. Motifs or photographs are not allowed.
Separate from the main Garden of Remembrance, this area offers a peaceful and tranquil setting for relatives to visit. Cremated remains may also be scattered here.
This area is special to many families. To help keep the garden tidy, flowers, ornaments, bowls, toys or pictures are not allowed on or around the memorial stone books. Any items will be removed immediately.
This area of birch trees is underplanted with naturalising bulbs, including bluebells and wood anemones. This traditional woodland provides environmental benefits and encourages wildlife. It is kept completely natural and memorials of any kind are not permitted.
Cremated remains can be scattered here. You are welcome to come along to the scattering or, if you want to take part, our staff can show you how to operate the scattering urn. If you want a minister of religion to be present, please make arrangements with the clergy in advance.
You can also have the name of your loved one, together with their date of death, engraved on a standing stone, located at the front of the copse.
Families can buy a memorial seat from us, with a plaque containing words of their choice (to a maximum of 35 words). All inscriptions must be approved.
The seat is made of galvanised metal and coated in black paint. It can be placed in the Garden of Remembrance or at an agreed site in Roselawn Cemetery, which is next to the crematorium.
Or you can buy a memorial seat from us and have it placed in one of our parks. The exact location must be agreed with us in advance. You must not place ornaments or any other memorabilia on the seat or at its base.
Cremated remains can be buried in a private grave, either in an existing family one, or you can purchase a new grave in Roselawn Cemetery, located next to the crematorium.
This option allows an old family grave closed to standard burials to be used again or, if you buy a new grave, other family members, who do not wish to be cremated, can be buried there as well.
For more information about buying a grave at Roselawn Cemetery, call the Cemeteries and Crematorium Central Office on 028 9027 0296.
Memorial safety inspection programme
Disclaimer
We try to make sure all memorial items are kept in reasonable condition but we hold no responsibility for damage caused to items, other than by its own negligence. We also reserve the right to alter or amend items and the conditions of our memorial schemes.
For more information on any of our memorials, call the City of Belfast Crematorium on 028 9044 8342.
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