Richard Martin - The Ashes Register

Richard Martin is the founder of The Ashes Register and widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading authorities on the memorialisation of cremated remains. With over a decade of experience in the funeral sector and a background in public policy and digital innovation, Richard has worked closely with families, funeral directors, and crematoria across the country to help address one of the most overlooked aspects of bereavement care: what happens to ashes after the funeral?

In this talk, Richard explores the growing national issue of unclaimed ashes - sometimes referred to as the “ashes cupboard problem” - and the absence of consistent recording for where loved ones’ ashes are scattered or stored. With 80% of the UK population now choosing cremation, Richard explains why this silent challenge has become a major gap in both memorial practice and family history. He introduces The Ashes Register, a digital platform that records last resting places, helps locate lost ashes, and provides a legacy for future generations.

Practical, respectful, and forward-thinking, this session offers a powerful case for how the industry can transform an overlooked problem into a meaningful service for families.

Session Spotlight:  Unclaimed and Unrecorded - The Forgotten Challenge of Ashes and Cremation Aftercare

Richard Martin, founder of The Ashes Register, is one of the UK’s leading authority on the memorialisation of cremated remains. In this session, he addresses a growing but often overlooked issue in bereavement care: what happens to ashes after the funeral?

With 80% of the UK now choosing cremation, Richard explores the “ashes cupboard problem” and the lack of consistent records for where ashes are scattered or stored. He introduces The Ashes Register, a digital platform that helps record last resting places, reconnect families with lost ashes, and create lasting legacies.

Insightful and solution-focused, this talk challenges the industry to rethink aftercare and turn a forgotten issue into a valuable service for the families they support.