What happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral?
The coffin is usually brought into the chapel followed by the mourners in procession. While the coffin is being placed on the catafalque (this is a platform on which the coffin stands during the service), the mourners take their seats and the service proceeds. When the committal of the body takes place the coffin may be obscured from view by means of curtains closing round the catafalque or it may be lowered from the catafalque and descend into a committal room below. The method varies at each crematorium but the most common method today is the use of curtains. At the end of the service the mourners leave the chapel and may inspect the floral tributes before leaving.
