Bereavement Charity

For many years, metals remaining following cremation have been collected and buried in the grounds of the crematorium. This uses up valuable space within the crematorium grounds and places metals into the ground that will remain there forever. These metals can normally be smelted down and re-used, as is now common practice on the Continent. The re-use of these metals means that we do not need to use up non-renewable resources, these being the metal ores that are mined to create virgin metals. The Dutch have led the way in the recycling of metals following cremation and it is our intention to work very closely with the Dutch Cremation Federation and contractors who have worked with them over a period of time. Metals are recycled with the express consent of bereaved families being the persons entitled and empowered to make this decision.

There are two rounds of donations awarded per year where we nominate one or more local charities to benefit from the scheme.

2025

“Speak Their Name”, receiving £5,100

“The Samaritans”, receiving £11,900.

Since 2013, the crematorium have donated over £185,000 to the following charities through this recycling scheme:

British Heart Foundation £4,487.00

Breast Cancer £4,487.00

Beating Bowel Cancer £4,337.00

Sands £4,444.00

Winston's Wishes £5,000.00

Salvation Army £5,000.00

Alzheimers £4,321.00

Maid & Med Cruse £5,000.00

Slide Away £5,000.00

Survivors of Suicide £5,000.00

Heart of Kent Hospice £7,000.00

Holding on Letting go £8,000.00

Samaritans £8,000.00

Eleanors Hospice £10,000.00

Demelza £10,000.00

Maidstone & Medway Mind £15,000.00

Cruse £15,000.00

Heart of Kent Hospice £15,000.00

Marie Curie £12,000.00

Parkinsons Charity Maidstone £14,000.00

Family Forever JP £11,600.00

Heart of Kent Hospice £12,500.00