The CTTS isn’t just a qualification—it’s a mark of trust and technical excellence in the cremation profession. As a nationally recognised course cited in the Secretary of State’s Process Guidance Note for Crematoria, it meets national standards and sets the benchmark for crematorium technician training across the UK.
Accredited by Pearson to BTEC standard, CTTS offers a comprehensive, flexible, and rigorous learning journey. Through self-paced study supported by an experienced mentor, students complete practical and written assessments that build confidence and competence in all aspects of cremator operation. From safe charging procedures to maintaining identity integrity throughout the cremation cycle, this training equips technicians to perform to the highest standards. Supervised cremations, multiple-choice knowledge testing, and hands-on practical assessment ensure that students are not just certified but capable, conscientious professionals ready to serve with care and precision. CTTS is also an ideal stepping stone to advanced qualifications, such as the Crematorium Management unit of the ICCM Diploma.
Who is this for?
CTTS issuitable for anyone – from those just beginning as a technician, to thosebuilding a long-term career, providing the strongest possible foundation. Practical Assessment section – the list of assessorobservations either needs to be listed with each item on a new line, or thetext amended to lower case rather than sentence case. A comma needs to beinserted between ‘starting the cremator’ and ‘receiving a coffin’
Duration:
Self-paced study
Delivery:
Course pack and practical elements completed with a mentor. Assessment is by on-site or online video practical assessment and 20 multiple-choice questions.
What’s involved:
CTTS can be completed on its own to meet the requirements of the Secretary of State’s Guidance Note PG5/2 for Crematoria (latest version), or as preparation for the Crematorium Management unit of the ICCM Diploma. Edexcel accredits the courses to BTEC standard and validates the content annually to ensure consistency and quality. Students work through the course pack at their own pace under mentor guidance. Each student is assigned an on-site mentor—typically a lead technician, crematorium supervisor, or manager—who provides support throughout the training. Mentors guide students through studying, review assignments, provide feedback, and assess progress to determine when the student is capable of working unsupervised.
Supervised Cremations
Students must complete supervised cremations as part of the course. The number required varies per student, with mentors deciding when the student is ready for on-site assessment. There is no set number of cremations.
Written Responses
Students complete a workbook and provide written responses with mentor support. Once complete, the workbook is submitted via post or email for assessment by an ICCM officer.
On-site Assessment Multiple-choice questions:
20 questions covering all aspects of the cremation process.
Practical assessment:
Students demonstrate competence by completing a full cremation. Questions cover adult, baby, and infant cremations, focusing on techniques that maximise ash recovery. The assessor observes all technical procedures of a single cremation cycle, including:
Starting the cremator Receiving a coffin and checking identity, Charging the coffin, Cremation process, Removing the cremated remains, Reducing the cremated remains, Maintaining identity at all stages, Closing down the cremator.
In Scotland, to comply with the Infant Cremation Commission recommendations, technicians must visit a site that consistently produces ashes from baby and infant cremations.
The ICCM can refer suitable crematoria.
Assessment requires technicians to be observed completing at least two baby and infant cremations.
Price - £510 + VAT
