Our telephone number is answered 24 hours a day. From your first call, we will be able to discuss the initial steps with you and arrange to meet with you. We usually go out to family addresses in the comfort of your own home, to make the funeral arrangements, but if you would prefer to come into one of our offices please telephone first.
We aim to make it as easy for you as possible at this time. We will offer you advice on registration, and even make the appointment for you, if you wish. You do not need to have registered the death to begin making the arrangements although there is usually a “green” form we need from the registrars, so if you register first you will have all the paperwork we need.
To arrange the funeral we do need to complete some paperwork. First and foremost though, we like to begin the arrangement with a “blank page”. We like to get to know you, and your deceased loved one and we think a funeral needs to be a reflection of their life.
If money is an issue we may be able to help you organise a very simple funeral. Please see our help and advice for financial assistance.
We will then talk through together the specifics of the funeral. Our aim is to help you find your own personal way to say goodbye. You may already have quite a clear idea of how you wish the funeral to be, but if not; we will present all the options available to you so that you may be aware of all your choices which will enable you to make the right decision for you and your family. Please see our Planning the Funeral Service within our Help and Advice for an outline of the things we will need to know.
Generally, we will be able to arrange the day and time of the funeral while you are with us so as soon as you leave you can start letting friends and family know. From here on, we are able to take all the burden from your shoulders as we take care of all the administration and the practical elements of the funeral, so that you may concentrate on taking care of yourself and being with those who are supporting you.
Once the arrangements are made we provide you with an estimate of costs. The Estimate consists of all the arrangements and how much our services are likely to cost. Included in this will be an estimate of third party costs (known as “disbursements”) which are standard charges incurred by every Funeral Director. Within a few days you will receive a confirmation letter outlining all of the arrangements we have discussed.
We stay in touch over the next few days and continue to build upon the foundations laid in our initial meeting, until we have finalised all the details and have created the send off your loved one would have wanted.
