Using A Funeral Director

Most people are unaware that funeral directors can set up business without training or qualifications and that no 0licence' is required. There is no universal standard that applies to funeral directors; therefore it may be difficult to separate a good funeral director from a poor one. Many funeral directors are members of professional organisations, and these may operate a code of practice and or a code of conduct, they may also have a complaints procedure.

Professional Organisations include:

• The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD).
• The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
• The Funeral Standards Council.

Although we can advise you about funeral arrangements, and provide you with a list of funeral directors, we are not able recommend any particular funeral director.

Their Role

The funeral directors' role is to act as the family's agent and to tailor a funeral service to meet their wishes and to comply with the law. Here is a guide to the kind of support and range of services you can expect from your chosen funeral director.

After discussing your requirements, the funeral director will take detailed instructions concerning the service requirements and facilities to be provided and then act to ensure the funeral is delivered to your requirements and that all aspects are to the highest professional standards.

The Services Provided

It is important to emphasise that the services outlined here will not always be provided automatically and this list is by no means exhaustive but, typically, funeral directors will:

• Provide advice and transport to assist with the registration of the death. Please be aware that funeral directors cannot register a death, this is something which must be done by a family member or person closely connected with the deceased.
• Arrange a date and time for the funeral, according to your instructions. The funeral director will contact the Church, cemetery or crematorium and/or the person who will be conducting the service, to arrange a mutually convenient date and time.
• Transfer the deceased from the place of death, or from the location to which the deceased has been taken, to their premises or provide practical assistance to allow the deceased to remain at home prior to the funeral, if this is what you request.
• Provide facilities for viewing of the deceased prior to the funeral, according to the family's wishes.
• Provide the necessary vehicles and staff to conduct the funeral with dignity and professionalism, in accordance with your instructions.
• Deal with all necessary paperwork to enable burial or cremation to take place.
• Place death notices in local and/or national newspapers.
• Arrange for catering at a venue of your choice following the funeral.
• Make arrangements for the subsequent disposal of the remains following a cremation.
• Arrange special musical requests for the funeral service, such as a soloist, piper or choir.
• Liaise with the officiant to provide Order of Service sheets at the funeral service.
• Record the names of those attending the funeral in order to provide you with a list afterwards.
• Order floral tributes on behalf of the deceased's family and/or friends and colleagues.
• Accept and care for floral tributes delivered to their premises prior to the funeral.
• Accept donations for a nominated Charity in lieu of flowers on your behalf, providing the family with a list of those who have donated after the funeral.
• Arrange for transfer of either the deceased or the cremated remains to another area of the country, or repatriation overseas, for a subsequent funeral or disposal, in accordance with your wishes.
• Supply obituary cards or 'thank you' cards for use by the family following the funeral service.
• Place "Thank You" and acknowledgement notice, or obituary notices in local newspapers following the funeral.
• Provide information on how to arrange a pre-paid funeral plan.
• Offer a choice of coffins and caskets to suit a range of budgets and individual choice.

Paying For The Funeral

A Funeral Director should be able to provide you with an estimate of a basic funeral. You should reasonably expect to be given an itemised price list of components of the funeral, which should include all disbursements.

It is possible to purchase a funeral plan in advance. There are several options available and they require careful consideration. Consider what costs the plan includes and what costs it does not include. If you purchase a funeral plan it will be necessary to choose a burial or cremation package that meets your need. It is important to ensure that the funds are held in trust with independent trustees. It may be possible to pay for a funeral plan by instalments or by lump sum.

If the person responsible for the funeral arrangements is in receipt of certain benefits, financial assistance may be available. Further information may be obtained from the Benefits Agency, Age Concern and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

It is important to note that the person arranging the funeral will legally be liable for all funeral expenses.

Where a person dies in hospital and there is nobody able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral the Health Authority will usually fulfil this obligation.

Likewise the Local Authority has a duty to arrange the funeral of any person who has died in their area where no arrangements have been made. The Local Authority can reclaim any expenses incurred from the estate of the deceased.