The most widely adopted form of permanent memorial after cremation is the Book of Remembrance.

The beautiful volumes of the book are hand-bound and inscribed by craftsmen to provide a permanent record. The volumes are a fine example of the bookbinder's craft and designed to last indefinitely. They are bound in the finest vellum, lettered and tooled in gold, bearing the Coats of Arms of the districts within the Joint Committee. The inscriptions and motifs are handwritten and illuminated by craftsmen in the finest traditions of medieval manuscripts.

The four volumes contain two pages for each day of the year and the inscription usually appears on the date of death, or any other anniversary. This date is personal to you and can be, for example, the date of death, the date of cremation, the birthday or wedding anniversary.

The pages are turned each morning in order that relatives may view the entry on that date each year. The book is permanently displayed within a protective glass cabinet, situated in a special memorial chapel. As well as being available to be seen without appointment on the anniversary dates, entries can also be viewed on other dates by request. The Book of Remembrance chapel is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and from 11am at weekends and Bank Holidays.

Also located in this room is a visual display unit that allows any entry that has already been inscribed in one of the books to be viewed on any day of the year. The computerised system is operated by touching the screen and following the simple instructions. A 'zoom' facility allows a particular entry to be selected from the full page and shown in close up.

The minimum entry is two lines, consisting of the name of the deceased on the top line, with a personal inscription on the second. Five and eight line entries are also available. All entries are inscribed by hand, offering the same degree of permanence and artistic excellence.

The volumes provide a simple and lasting memorial. In addition, service badges, floral emblems or organisational crests (such as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, British Legion, Salvation Army, Trade Union, Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, etc) may be incorporated in the inscription. Please contact the crematorium office for further advice regarding any other organisational badge.

Staff are available at the crematorium to offer information and assistance. Please feel free to contact them for help in composing your inscription. You can telephone the crematorium office on 01246 345888 or email bereavement.services@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Select the link below to download and view our brochure.

Book of Remembrance Brochure

(PDF 2.35 MB)

Online Book of Remembrance

The Book of Remembrance has been digitised and is now available to view online by visiting the link below. The digitising of recent applications into the Book of Remembrance may not be available online for a period of up to 12 months after the inscription has been applied for. Visit the online book of remembrance where there are instructions on how to locate the inscriptions. 

Miniature books and remembrance cards 

Arrangements can be made for personal copies of the inscription in the Book of Remembrance to be available to relatives and friends in miniature books or memorial cards upon request. These cards are produced by hand in exactly the same way and are particularly suitable for relatives who are unable to attend the crematorium to view the book. Samples may be inspected at the crematorium office. The miniature books and remembrance cards are in the same style as the Book of Remembrance and contain beneath the anniversary date a copy of the original inscription as it appears in the book.