Hindu Funeral Directors in London
We arrange Antyesti across London — open coffin, garlands, the chief mourner at the committal, and an extended slot so nothing is rushed. We work to your thirteen-day timetable, not ours.
How a Hindu funeral is arranged in London
- 1
Immediately after death
What happens: A diya is lit near the head, incense is burned, and tulsi leaves or Ganga jal may be placed in the mouth. A pandit leads prayers, often at home.
What we do: We collect at any hour, and we can bring the deceased home or give you a private room at our premises.
- 2
Preparation
What happens: The family wash and anoint the body and dress it in white or in the deceased's finest clothing. Embalming is usually declined.
What we do: We never embalm without your explicit instruction. We provide the space, the time and any practical help you want.
- 3
Timing
What happens: Tradition calls for cremation within 24 hours. UK registration and cremation paperwork make that impossible; two to four days is realistic for a straightforward case.
What we do: We begin the registration and paperwork the day you call and book the earliest slot available. We tell you the real date.
- 4
At the crematorium
What happens: The coffin is usually open. Garlands and flowers are placed around the body and mourners may circle it clockwise. Sanskrit verses and the Gayatri Mantra are recited, aarti is performed, and offerings of ghee, flowers or rice may be made.
What we do: We book an extended or double slot as standard, arrange open-coffin viewing and coordinate your pandit.
- 5
The committal
What happens: The chief mourner — traditionally the eldest son, and increasingly a daughter or another close relative — performs the final act. Where the pyre would once have been lit, this becomes pressing the committal button.
What we do: We confirm with the crematorium in advance who will do this and what is permitted.
- 6
Witnessing the charging
What happens: Some families wish to see the coffin enter the cremator.
What we do: We arrange it where the crematorium permits it. The table below shows which London crematoria do.
- 7
The ashes
What happens: Ashes are collected and immersed in running water — ideally the Ganges at Varanasi, Haridwar or Prayagraj. In the UK, families use the Thames or the open sea.
What we do: We arrange collection, a sealed urn suitable for air travel, and the repatriation paperwork.
- 8
The mourning period
What happens: Thirteen days of mourning under a priest's guidance, concluding with Terahvin, the 13th-day Shraddha, followed by annual Shraddha rites.
What we do: We work to your thirteen-day timetable, not ours.
Hindu tradition asks for cremation within 24 hours; Sikh practice asks for it as soon as possible.
UK registration and cremation paperwork mean a straightforward Hindu funeral is realistically two to four days and a Sikh funeral five to seven.
We start the paperwork the day you call and book the earliest slot available — and we tell you the real date, not the one you want to hear.
Cremation options in London
What each crematorium allows for a Hindu, Sikh or Jain service. Where a detail is not shown we will confirm it with the crematorium before anything is booked.
| Crematorium | Chapel | Witnessed committal | Open coffin | Naked flame | Earliest slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemnal Park Crematorium from £1,295 | 180 seats | — | — | — | — |
| South London Crematorium from £895 | 150 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Golders Green Crematorium from £535 | 150 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Thames View Crematorium from £755 | 140 seats | — | — | — | — |
| St Marylebone Crematorium from £495 | 140 seats | — | — | — | — |
| South Essex Crematorium from £1,250 | 120 seats | — | — | — | — |
| West Norwood Crematorium from £519 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| West London Crematorium from £470 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| South West Middlesex Crematorium from £770 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Lambeth Crematorium from £519 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Epping Forest Crematorium from £895 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Eltham Crematorium from £945 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Breakspear Crematorium from £558 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Bentley Crematorium from £825 | 100 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Hendon Crematorium from £581 | 99 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Forest Park Crematorium from £995 | 96 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Enfield Crematorium from £795 | 90 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Putney Vale Crematorium from £385 | 80 seats | — | — | — | — |
| North East Surrey Crematorium from £365 | 80 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Honor Oak Crematorium from £900 | 80 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Croydon Crematorium from £844 | 80 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Beckenham Crematorium from £850 | 80 seats | — | — | — | — |
| New Southgate Crematorium from £995 | 74 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Islington Crematorium from £425 | 74 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Hither Green Crematorium from £920 | 70 seats | — | — | — | — |
| East London Crematorium from £795 | 70 seats | — | — | — | — |
| City of London Crematorium from £631 | 70 seats | — | — | — | — |
| Bluebell Crematorium from £875 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mortlake Crematorium from £430 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Manor Park Crematorium from £790 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kingston Crematorium from £445 | — | — | — | — | — |
Mandirs and gurdwaras
We will work closely with your chosen place of worship and family representatives as the arrangements take shape.
What we do, and what you do
What we do
- ✓Arrange a private, unhurried time in our preparation room for your family to wash and dress your loved one, usually on the day before the funeral, with at least an hour set aside and more if you need it.
- ✓Never remove or disturb the Five Ks. Kesh, kara, kanga, kachera and kirpan stay with your loved one throughout, and every member of our team caring for them is briefed before they begin.
- ✓Bring the coffin to your home, or to the mandir or gurdwara, before the crematorium if you wish, in our hearse, and plan the timings so the service is not rushed.
- ✓Arrange open-coffin viewing at our chapel of rest for your family, and tell you in advance how many people the room can hold.
- ✓Check with the crematorium, before the day, exactly what it permits: garlands, flowers, ghee, personal items and naked flame.
- ✓Confirm whether your chosen crematorium allows a family member to press the button and whether the charging of the coffin can be witnessed, and book it if so.
What you do
- ✓Tell us who in your family will wash and dress your loved one, and bring the clothes, turban, sari or other items you would like them dressed in.
- ✓Let us know which of the Five Ks, or any other religious items, you wish to place yourselves.
- ✓Decide whether the coffin should go home or to the mandir or gurdwara first, and give us the address and timings agreed with the priest or granthi.
- ✓Tell us roughly how many people will attend the viewing so we can plan the chapel of rest.
- ✓Bring the garlands, ghee and personal items you plan to use, so we can check them against the crematorium's rules.
- ✓Choose who will press the button or witness the charging, where the crematorium permits it.
Ashes, immersion and repatriation
Immersion in UK rivers
No permit is needed if you follow Environment Agency guidance: scatter more than 1km upstream of any point where water is taken for drinking, away from buildings, bathers, anglers and marinas, as close to the water surface as possible, and not when it is windy.
Personal items, wreaths, flowers, and containers made of plastic or metal must not go into the water or be left on the bank. This directly affects Hindu and Sikh immersions, which usually involve garlands and a container, so plan what will go into the water and what you will take home.
Permission from the landowner to reach the water is a separate matter that the Environment Agency guidance does not cover.
Open-air pyres
Open-air pyres are not available in England.
The 2010 Court of Appeal decision in R (Ghai) v Newcastle City Council is widely misreported as having legalised them. It did not. It held only that “building” in section 2 of the Cremation Act 1902 bears a wider meaning than an enclosed, roofed structure, so such a facility could be lawful.
Cremation outside an authorised crematorium remains illegal, and no such facility has been built.
Funerals we have arranged
Trusted local funeral directors in London
As trusted funeral directors across London, we care for families in every corner of the region with the same compassion, transparency and attention to detail. Whether you are arranging a cremation or a burial, our local team guides you gently through every decision — from the first call to the day itself.
We serve communities throughout London, including West London, North West London, South East London, South West London and more, and we work closely with the local crematoriums and cemeteries you know, such as West London Crematorium, West Ham Cemetery and West Norwood Crematorium. Wherever you are in the region, you'll have one caring point of contact who understands the area and the venues, registry offices and places of worship within it.
With clear, fixed pricing and no hidden fees, most families save significantly compared with the average funeral cost in London. To talk through your wishes, call us any time — day or night — or build an instant, no-obligation quote online.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We can arrange a private viewing in our chapel of rest so you and your family can spend time with your loved one before the funeral. Just let us know and we'll make all the arrangements.
The very first step is to call us — any time, day or night. We'll talk you through exactly what to do, take your loved one into our care, and guide you gently through every step that follows. You don't have to face it alone.
No. We never ask for a deposit. You'll receive a clear, itemised quote, and payment in full is due 3 working days before the funeral. We'll talk you through your payment options with no pressure and no hidden costs.
Yes, we offer flexible payment options to help spread the cost of the funeral. Speak to our team and we'll talk you through what's available and find an arrangement that works for you.
Yes. We regularly support families using the DWP Funeral Expenses Payment and can help you check your eligibility and complete the paperwork. Use our quick eligibility checker or call us and we'll guide you through it.
We offer a range of greener choices, including woodland and natural burials, eco-friendly coffins such as wicker and cardboard, and services that minimise environmental impact. Let us know what matters to you and we'll talk through the options.
Our funerals start from a clear, fixed price with no hidden fees, and most families save significantly compared with the average local funeral cost. You can build an instant quote online or call us for a transparent breakdown tailored to your wishes.
Yes. We offer pre-paid funeral plans that let you set out your wishes and fix the cost at today's prices, giving you and your family peace of mind. Speak to our team to find out more.