Arranging a Funeral
It is our policy to assume as much of the responsibility as we can so that we may guide you comfortably through this difficult time.
It is always better for you to contact the funeral director as soon as possible
CALLING OUR FUNERAL HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME.
We appreciate the first call to us can be difficult, people often don’t know what to say or even how to start the conversation. Our helpful staff will lead with all the necessary questions, the call need not be more than 5 minutes and an appointment will be made for you to sit with a funeral director so you may talk more openly about your preferred arrangements.
We would encourage that you telephone the funeral home first to ensure a funeral director is available.
MAKING THE ARRANGEMENTS.
The funeral arrangements may take place at our funeral home or in the comfort of your family home, whichever suits you best in the circumstances. Our funeral director will sit down with you and guide you through all the necessary steps, inform you of all the available choices and listen and advise on your own ideas for how to personalise the occasion. The arrangement normally takes about 1 hour.
WHEN WILL THE FUNERAL BE?
One of the first things the funeral director would like to do is set a day and a time for the funeral, this will help the family focus and work towards a particular date. We always aim to set the funeral approximately 1 week from the day we sit down together and discuss arrangements, this allows you to move through the events leading up to the funeral comfortably and without feeling unduly rushed.
We will take care, on your behalf of all the necessary paperwork, liaise with doctors, hospitals, clergy, crematoria or cemeteries newspapers and caterers as appropriate. There is no extra charge for this it is all included in our fixed price service.
Once we have taken your instructions and you have arranged the Funeral, a letter of confirmation will be given to you so the details maybe be checked and agreed.
Registration of Death
In England and Wales, a death must be registered by the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the area in which the death occurred. If you are unsure whether or not you have authority to register the death, we will advise you. The death must be registered within five days.
When you go to the Registrar
1. Things to take with you
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The medical certificate of the cause of death
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The deceased’s National Health Medical Card
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The deceased’s Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate
The Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificate contain all the information required by the registrar.
2. The registrar requires the following details
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Full Name of the Deceased
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Home Address
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Date and Place of Death
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Date and Place of Birth
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Last Occupation
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Date of Birth of surviving partner
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Whether the Deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds
If the deceased was a married women
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Maiden Name
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Husbands full name (even if deceased)
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Husbands last occupation (even if deceased)
From the informant
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Full name of informant
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Home Address
3. The registrar will give you
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A green certificate – which must be handed to the funeral director so that the funeral can take place
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A white certificate – this is for social security purposes
4. The registrar will SELL you copies of the death certificate
you may need these for:
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The Will
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Any Pension Claims
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Insurance Policies
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Savings Bank Certificates
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Premium Bonds