In our opinion there is no such thing as a "standard" funeral. Each and every funeral is individual to the people concerned. It is up to those people to pay their last respects and say their last farewell in the manner that is most suitable for them.

The following information is there to help answer questions that we are most often asked about the funeral and services associated with it:

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Contents

1. (Q). What are Doctors Forms?.

2. (Q). How Do We Know What To Do At The Funeral?.

3. (Q). Can We Have The Deceased Brought Home?.

4. (Q). Can We Visit the Deceased and Pay Our Last Respects?.

5. (Q). Can the Family Carry the Coffin?.

6. (Q). Can We Choose What Music Is Played At The Crematorium?.

7. (Q). How Many People Can Be Seated In the Limousine?.

8. (Q). Can We Request Donations to Charity?.

9. (Q). Is the Coffin lowered After the Funeral Service at the Crematorium?.

10. (Q). Are The Handles On The Coffin Removed Before The Cremation Takes Place?

11. (Q). Is Each Cremation Carried Out Individually?.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

In our opinion there is no such thing as a normal funeral. Each and every funeral is individual to the family or friends concerned. It is up to then to pay their last respects and say their last farewell in the manner that is most suitable for them.

The following information is there to help answer questions that are most often asked about, and services associated with Funerals.

1. (Q). What are Doctors Forms?

(A). When a funeral is a cremation, two doctors MUST certify death. The FIRST doctor must be the doctor who attended the deceased during his/hers last illness. The duty of the SECOND doctor is essentially one of confirmation. This doctor must not be related to the first doctor either through family or practice. For this service, each doctor makes a separate charge, which we, the Funeral Directors usually pay on behalf of the deceased family. This will then be included in the final bill.

2. (Q). How Do We Know What To Do At The Funeral?

(A). On the day of the funeral the Funeral Director is there to help and guide you, your family and friends. If you are unsure of anything please tell the Funeral Director.

3. (Q). Can We Have The Deceased Brought Home?

(A).Yes. We can bring the deceased home either on the evening before the service or on the morning of the service, so the deceased can leave from home.

4. (Q). Can We Visit the Deceased and Pay Our Last Respects?

(A).Yes. Our Funeral Home is open and available to you at anytime. Should you wish to visit our private chapel, just ring and tell us when you would like to come and we will be pleased to arrange for a member of staff to meet you.

5. (Q). Can the Family Carry the Coffin?

(A). Yes. Although we would ask that you tell us as soon as possible to ensure that it is safe to do so.

6. (Q). Can We Choose What Music Is Played At The Crematorium?

(A). Yes. If you have a special request or would like a particular piece of music playing either as you walk into or out of the Crematorium Chapel, please let the Funeral Director know as soon as possible. Please note that only original recordings are allowed because of copyright laws.

7. (Q). How Many People Can Be Seated In the Limousine?

(A). In each limousine there is room for six people in the rear compartment and room for one in the front with the chauffeur, i.e. a maximum of seven.

8. (Q). Can We Request Donations to Charity?

(A). Yes. If donations to charity are requested in lieu of flowers, the Funeral Director will accept and list donations on your behalf and forward them to the charity of your choice.

9. (Q). Is the Coffin lowered After the Funeral Service at the Crematorium?

(A). Yes. At the end of the service the coffin is lowered. At the request of families the coffin can stay in view until after everyone has left the chapel.

10. (Q). Are The Handles On The Coffin Removed Before The Cremation Takes Place?

(A). No. There are strict laws regarding cremation. Nothing may be removed from the coffin before cremation without the permission of the Home Office.

11. (Q). Is Each Cremation Carried Out Individually?

(A). Yes. The identity of the coffin nameplate is checked by the Crematorium Attendant before it is placed in the Cremation Chamber. This only holds one coffin or casket at a time and again there are rules that must be abided by.

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.

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