12. (Q). Do I Get The Cremated Remains Back That Belong To Me?

(A). Yes. Once the cremation has taken place, the cremated remains are removed and left to cool before being placed in an urn. This urn is clearly marked identifying whose remains they are.

13. (Q). What Can I Do With The Cremated Remains?

1. They may be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.

2. You may wish to buy a grave just for the purpose of interring the cremated remains. This allows you to have a headstone and have other members of the family buried there in the future.

3. You may keep them at home in a special urn or memorial vase.

4. You may scatter them in a place that is special to the deceased.

5. The remains may be buried in an existing family grave.

If you would like to discuss any of the above alternatives, please contact us and we will be pleased to help you.

14. (Q). What About Catering After the Funeral?

(A). If you require catering after the funeral you can make your own arrangements or contact us to make a booking at a hotel or restaurant.

15. (Q) How do I place a Notice in the local Newspaper

If you require either a Death Notice or Acknowledgement in a local or national newspaper, the Funeral Director will make a note of all the details and make the arrangements.

16. (Q). When is the Funeral Account Payable?

(A). The Funeral Account is sent to the person responsible for the arrangements or the solicitor, when necessary, about a week after the funeral. The account can be paid for by cash, cheque, credit and debit cards.

17. (Q). How Soon After A Burial Can I Put A Headstone On The Grave?

(A). inside, then it does not take as long.

For further advice please contact your Funeral Director, who will be pleased to advise you.

18. (Q) How do we arrange flowers for the funeral?

(A) Either order with your florist of choice or ask us for a recommendation.

19. (Q) How do we arrange Order of Service Cards?

(A) We can provide mourning stationery, order of service and attendance cards.

20. (Q) Could we have a Green Funeral? 

(A) Yes. There are a number of different options and we are willing to discuss your choices for an environmentally friendly funeral.

21. (Q) Funerals can be expensive. How will I know if I can afford it?

(A) Funeral Directors who are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors abide by a Code of Practice which ensures that they treat their clients and the public fairly. Members are required to have price lists available showing the cost of the services they provide. To ensure you obtain the best value possible, you should contact at least two Funeral Directors in your area for an estimate of the funeral costs, or obtain a price list from their office to make comparisons. Do not assume that all funeral firms charge the same prices. If you have chosen a Funeral Director who is a Member of the National Association of Funeral Directors, you will receive a written estimate and confirmation of arrangements before the funeral takes place. This ensures that you are aware of the-~costs of the funeral you have arranged, and forms the basis of the contract between yourself and the funeral firm.

22. (Q) Can I get any assistance with the funeral costs?

(A) The DSS Social Fund awards financial assistance to individuals who meet a number of criteria. To qualify you, and all other family members who share your responsibility for the funeral, must be receiving at least one of several benefits, and have insufficient savings to pay for the funeral. The DSS Funeral Payment will provide a limited amount which may cover a very basic funeral, or provide a contribution towards a more traditional funeral. Your Funeral Director will be able to advise you about the qualifying criteria and the likely contribution available.

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We have tried to anticipate the questions you may have about the funeral and the services surrounding it. If you have any further questions or feel that you want to alter any of the arrangements, please contact us as soon as possible.