Choose the type of Funeral

One of the first decisions to make

The first decision to be made for any funeral service is whether it is a burial or a cremation.  You will also need to decide where the service will be held, this may be at a church or place of worship, at a crematorium, at the graveside or somewhere else.  In the case of cremation there can be a service at a church combined with a shorter service at the crematorium chapel.

Whether there will be a burial or a cremation may already have been made by the deceased, this might have been in discussion with family members or in their will

The arranging of the funeral service involves many elements. We will take care of all of the details. We will listen carefully to your requirements, help you make important and difficult decisions, liaise with third parties, and are responsible for ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible on the day.

We will guide you through the options when you have to make decisions about:

The funeral service 

The funeral service is a way of saying goodbye to someone who has died. We are here to take you through the decisions you need to make to ensure you can arrange the funeral you want for your loved one. 

Choosing between cremation or burial

The first choice people usually make is about the type of funeral service that will take place. Whether you choose a burial or a cremation, we will be there to make all the arrangements on your behalf.

Some things to consider about a burial:

• You may already have a family grave or plot. We can arrange for this to be reopened and the headstone removed before burial.
• In some areas, burial space may be limited or may be very expensive.
• You might want to reserve plots or a large plot if you or your family want to be buried close by.
• Woodland burials are now available in many areas in the country.
• You can hold the funeral service in a local church or in a cemetery chapel.
• After the burial you will need to consider if you want a memorial headstone, or a new inscription on an existing headstone.

For all burials there are fees involved which could include the following:

• Cost to purchase a new grave.
• Opening or re-opening an existing grave.
• Removal and replacement of any existing memorials, headstones, and so on.
• An exclusive right of burial.

We can also give you advice on choosing a memorial and any local regulations you should know about.

Some things to consider about a cremation:

• It can cost less than a burial.
• The funeral service can be held at the crematorium. Most will have a service room or other appropriate facilities.
• The service may also take place in a church or another location before going to the crematorium.
• There will be a strict time limit for the length of the service. This will vary depending on the crematorium.
• You will need to decide the final resting place of the ashes. You can keep the ashes in an urn, scatter or bury them.

We can advise you if any restrictions are in place at your chosen crematorium with regards to the choice of dress for the deceased, or placing any possessions in the coffin. 

Supplying information about the deceased

In order to make the funeral arrangements we will need:

• The full name of the person who has died.
• Their full address.
• Their date of birth.
• Details of where and when they died.
• Confirmation of whether the person who has died had a pacemaker fitted. Pacemakers must be removed before the cremation.