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Organising A Funeral sponsored by Golden Charter Funeral Plans
Organising a funeral can be a very stressful ordeal especially when emotions are running high.
If a Will has been made it should be consulted to see whether the deceased had any specific requests.
Where there is no Will, decisions will need to be made on how the service should proceed.
A funeral director will help you to organise the funeral but here are a few items to remember:
- Inform people when and where the funeral is to take place
- Arrange a coffin
- Take care of flower arrangements
- Allocate or hire pallbearers
- Decide on the service including songs, readings etc.
- Organise the transport of the coffin to the ceremony
- Arrange refreshments after the service
Burials and Cremations
If the deceased is to be buried it is worth contacting the church where you would like the burial to take place immediately as there may a shortage of space and you may have to find an alternative. There are cemeteries owned by private companies and local authorities for which you would have to pay for a grave space.
If the deceased is to be cremated the crematorium should be contacted and you will have to obtain an application for cremation in order to proceed.
Documentation needed before a funeral can take place :
Before a funeral can take place it is essential that certain documentation is obtained including:
- A death certificate showing the cause of death
- A No Liability to Register Certificate
(obtained from the registrar in the area where the burial is intended)or - Application for cremation
Your Own Funeral
Here are a few things you might like to consider when making plans for your own funeral.
Depending on what kind of funeral you would like will make a difference to the cost. Do you intend to make it clear in your Will that you will pay for your own funeral or are you intending to leave this to others?
Be careful when considering your choice of funeral as it could deplete the estate you leave behind or leave others in an uncertain financial position.
For more information about funeral arrangements and costs visit
Golden Charter Funeral Plans.
You can claim funeral expenses from the DSS but there are various constraints on eligibility such as the claimant or their partner must be receiving social security and must not have savings in excess of £500. More information is available at their web site www.dss.gov.uk/
Body Options
When you die do you want to be laid to rest somewhere in particular before your funeral or are you happy to let others decide for you?
Will you have a viewing or would you prefer not to?
How do you want to be transported to the funeral - by car, horse and cart etc?
Do you want to buried, cremated or choose some other ceremony such as burial at sea?
Do you want your organs to be donated for medical science?
Your Coffin
There are a huge range of coffins to choose from so it might be worth writing down the kind you would like such as whether its a dark wood with brass handles and velvet interior or whether you are happier to have a very basic coffin. Do you want anything placed in the coffin with you? Is there anything in particular you would like to wear?
The Ceremony
What kind of ceremony would you like and where would you like it? Is there anyone you would like to speak for you, any songs you would like, particular flowers or any special service?
Headstone/Urn
You may want a certain style of headstone or urn with something particular on it which again you must specify in your Will unless you are happy for others to decide.
Afterwards
When the ceremony is over do you want a large party or a small gathering and if so what do you have in mind? Are you going to provide for this in your Will?