The Royal Family has a long history of traditions when it comes to death and funerals. Cremation has become more popular in recent decades, so whether the royals choose burial or cremation is a topic of interest for many. In this article, we’ll explore the history of royal funerals, look at recent trends, and consider what might happen in the future.
History of Royal Funerals
For centuries, the standard practice for deceased British royals was burial, not cremation. Up until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, royals were buried either under the floor in Westminster Abbey or in elaborate tombs elsewhere. Some examples:
- Queen Elizabeth I was buried in Westminster Abbey when she died in 1603.
- King Charles II was buried in Westminster Abbey after his death in 1685.
- Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were buried in ornate tombs at Frogmore near Windsor Castle.
Christian tradition favored burial over cremation, so that practice continued for royal funerals for a long time. However, by the late 1800s, cremation was becoming more popular in Britain, though it would take longer to catch on among the royals.
Shift Toward Cremation
In the late 20th century, the Royal Family started shifting toward cremation over burial. Here are some key events in that transition:
- In 1938, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s brother-in-law was the first royal to be cremated.
- In 2002, Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister, became the first senior royal to be cremated.
- In 2005, cremation was chosen for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother’s wishes to be cremated started a new precedent. Since then, cremation has been selected for all deceased royals, including:
- Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester – 2004
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh – 2021
- Queen Elizabeth II – 2022
Why Choose Cremation?
There are several possible reasons why the royals have shifted toward cremation:
- It aligns with changing British funeral customs – Cremation is now chosen over burial in about 75% of funerals in the UK.
- More options for final resting places – With a burial, Westminster Abbey has been the traditional site. Cremation allows ashes to be interred in other meaningful locations.
- Less costly and elaborate ceremonies – Cremation services tend to have lower costs compared to full royal burial ceremonies.
- More private funeral services – Having a private cremation ceremony allows the royals to mourn out of the public eye.
Whatever the reasons, it is now the established tradition for deceased members of the Royal Family to be cremated.
Royal Cremation Process
When a senior royal passes away and cremation has been chosen, what does that process look like? Here are the basic steps:
- After a period of lying in state, a funeral service is held, often at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
- Following the service, a private cremation ceremony takes place out of public view.
- About a week later, the ashes are interred in a chosen burial location, such as Frogmore Gardens or the Royal Vault at St. George’s Chapel.
The royal funerals for Prince Philip in 2021 and Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 followed this general timeline and process.
Future Royal Funerals
It seems clear that cremation will continue to be the preference moving forward. It is expected that King Charles III and other senior royals will choose to be cremated when they pass away.
Some possibilities for the next major royal funerals:
- King Charles III – Will likely be cremated and ashes interred next to his parents in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
- Camilla, Queen Consort – Since she is not blood royalty, she may be cremated and ashes buried in a more low-key location.
- Prince William – First in line to the throne, so his funeral will be a huge national event. Cremation is likely with interment at Westminster Abbey alongside ancestors.
Of course, personal wishes will factor in, but cremation appears set as the new tradition for British royals.
Conclusion
The days of grand royal burial ceremonies at Westminster Abbey have mostly come to an end. Cremation is now the standard practice for deceased members of the Royal Family. This shift aligns with changing British funeral customs and allows for more private ceremonies. While small details may vary, cremation is undoubtedly the new tradition that will continue guiding royal funerals into the future.