About Us

CBCE is jointly organised by The Cremation Society of Great Britain and the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities.

The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities

The FBCA was formed in 1924, supporting the interests of Burial and Cremation Authorities, whether Local Authority or Private Sector and has almost 90% of UK crematoria in membership. Representing the interests of its members at Government, working closely with the Ministry of Justice, Defra and the Scottish Government. It has vast experience in offering its members technical advice, provides a range of training opportunities and carry’s out an inspection process to ensure compliance with national burial and cremation codes of practice.

The Cremation Society of Great Britain

The Society, a registered charity, not conducted for profit, was established in 1874 to campaign for the introduction of cremation as an alternative to burial. The Society built and operated the very first crematorium in 1885 in Woking, Surrey and continues to be the parent company of London Cremation Company plc which now owns and operates six crematoria.

The Society continues to promote the practice of cremation through its resources and publications and aids both private enterprises and local authorities in the setting up of new crematoria. It provides impartial information and advice to members of the public on cremation-related queries and provides assistance to the funeral sector as a whole.

With the co-operation of the cremation sector both nationally and internationally, the Society publishes annual cremation statistics in its journal Pharos International and on this website. Since the first cremation at Woking in 1885, cremation now accounts for approximately 80% of all funerals in the British Islands.