All You Need to Know
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. These FAQs will help answer funeral questions that we are most often asked about.
Most Popular Funeral Questions
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.
No. There are strict laws regarding cremation. Nothing may be removed from the coffin before cremation without the permission of the Home Office.
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.
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.
There are a number of different options and we are willing to discuss your choices for an environmentally friendly funeral.
Funerals
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.
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.
We can provide mourning stationery, order of service and attendance cards.
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.
There are a number of different options and we are willing to discuss your choices for an environmentally friendly funeral.
Yes. Although we would ask that you tell us as soon as possible to ensure that it is safe to do so.
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.
Cremations
We can provide mourning stationery, order of service and attendance cards.
Either order with your florist of choice or ask us for a recommendation.
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.
They may be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.
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.
You may keep them at home in a special urn or memorial vase.
You may scatter them in a place that is special to the deceased.
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.
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.
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.
No. There are strict laws regarding cremation. Nothing may be removed from the coffin before cremation without the permission of the Home Office.
Important Paperwork
We can provide mourning stationery, order of service and attendance cards.
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.
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