Making Arrangements for a Funeral

It is important to remember that at the time of parting, there is no rush to finalise arrangements.

Better you should take time to prepare a funeral which for you and your immediate family carries with it the values of special meaning which will acknowledge the life that has passed and the special relationship you enjoyed.

There is no such thing as a standard form for a funeral, nor should you be bound by what you feel  is expected. 

Don't worry what others may think, they are, or should be, thinking of you.  They are probably uncertain in knowing  what to do or say in a manner which will help and support you.

A service which helps you, will certainly help others to come to terms with their loss and grief.

The following services are available from all of our offices:

The Basic Funeral is specified by the National Association of Funeral Directors and provides for the simplest of funerals at either a local cemetery or crematorium (whichever is more convenient and cheapest).  The basic funeral is exactly what it's name implies, exactly that.  it provides for the collection of the deceased person to our Chapel of Rest, the supply of a suitable coffin and a funeral ceremony on a day and time which are mutually convenient.  Nothing more and this is reflected in the price.

Cremation is one form of funeral which may be combined with a service in church or with the service taking place at the crematorium itself.  A growing trend being a service in church followed by a private family cremation or even a "Lych Gate" committal where the coffin is taken after the service direct and unaccompanied to the crematorium, leaving families to stay with friends and relatives.

Burials in built up and urban areas can be expensive in the purchase of a Grave, given that space is in short supply.  The funeral service can take place in Church before the burial or at a dedicated cemetery chapel.  In country areas where space within the churchyard is more readily available burial is frequently chosen.

Ecological or 'Green' Funerals are being demanded more frequently, possibly for the wrong reasons.  There are an increasing number of Woodland Burial Sites specifically designed to provide an ecological and tranquil location for a burial ground. 

It is important to be aware that some Local Authority cemeteries have set aside what may be regarded as unkempt areas for such funerals and they are very different in style although, like the specially prepared Woodland Burial centres, the wildlife, flora and fauna are usually a delight to observe especially in an urban setting.

It is suggested, in some quarters, that in selecting such service and purchasing a "different" type of coffin that the environment will benefit.  This is not necessarily so, all coffins we use are taken from sustainable forests and are invariably made from particle board, a by product of another process, faced with a simulated or real wood veneer and are suitable for both burial and cremation.  Such coffins, are in the main, of a lesser cost than those, such as those made from wicker and cane, which are designated as environmentally friendly!

We do have available solid timber coffins which are made to order and again being of solid timber are naturally environmentally friendly

Some crematoria have recently announced that cardboard coffins are no longer acceptable for cremation given that there are, we are told, Health and Safety risks associated with their use.  It is of interest to note that the energy consumed in the creation of a cardboard coffin is greater than any other coffin we offer.

Burials at Sea are now heavily regulated as to appropriate sites and locations around our coast where such burials are permitted, we are able to offer this specialist facility working with Port Authorities as well as DEFRA the Government Ministry responsible for controlling the locations.  There are numerous regulations and requirements to be fulfilled, but nothing we cannot accomplish whenever requested.

It is interesting to note that the Royal Navy used to provide a vessel to families of serving and former Officers of Deck Officer rank and above, but this ceased some years ago leaving commercial boat operators to provide assistance.

Horse Drawn Funerals are now much more common than may be imagined.  We are able to offer these facilities working with Livery Stables and Carriage Masters who provide the Hearse and Horses.  Custom seems to dictate that the funeral cortège is lead by a horse drawn hearse with the family travelling in our modern fleet of comfortable limousines behind,  it is possible, although rarely done, to follow in a horse drawn carriage.

Secular or Civil Funerals are now a subject of discussion as Church commitments wane it is possible to have a funeral without a minister of religion presiding, Civil Celebrants and Humanist funerals take that form and are designed and created around the life to be commemorated.  We are able to work with and assist in the selection of the services available in the same way as we are able to work with Clergy of all Denominations.  Click here for links to websites for Faith Groups.

Memorial Services used most commonly follow a funeral service a little time after and enable many more people to attend and participate in a service honouring the life of someone famous or with special skills such a member of the Services, Surgeon or University Don. 

It is not uncommon for a family to arrange a private funeral service for the immediate family which may be followed by a memorial service.  Time, location and circumstance of death may  be a determining factor as to whether a Memorial Service would be appropriate.  A death on holiday or whilst working abroad or in some distant part of this country as well as cost considerations for repatriation or relocation may also serve to determine the best way of allowing all friends and associates to take their leave

We are able to organise and arrange memorial services together with Printed Invitations and Orders of Service as well as placing notices in National and Local Newspapers together with the organisation and control of Donations to charities or special projects recording and acknowledging donors, reporting  to the family on the total value received, passing details of donors to the selected charity or project for a further acknowledgment of donation together with the funds collected.

The most important factor in determining the type of funeral service desired is to determine what YOU as family and relatives want to achieve, we can advise on the legalities and make the arrangements accordingly.  More and more families are finding great comfort from discussing and arranging a funeral service of meaning to the life departed and the survivors.

Hopefully, this descriptive list indicates that all things are possible and that whatever it is which may be requested, it does not represent anything out of the ordinary for the funeral director.

Whatever your question always ask.  There should never be a lost opportunity or unfulfilled request which, we know,  may cause added distress to that of bereavement especially if the endeavour was not made.

The attached report on sustainable timber for coffins was sponsored by our selected supplier J C Atkinson Ltd

please click on page to enlarge
       

 © The Traditional Family Funeral Company Ltd 2005