Funerals Without A Funeral Director
It is often assumed, quite wrongly, that funerals can be completed only with the use of a Funeral Director. Although a Funeral Director will be invited to organise the majority of funerals, some people however find great comfort from being involved totally of even partially, in making the arrangements for the funeral of a loved one.The decision to organise the funeral yourself however, should not be taken lightly. It should normally be an arrangement discussed at length with the family and where possible the dying person
The advantages of a 'Personalised' or 'Independent'' funeral are many. You have complete control of arrangements so the wishes of the deceased can be achieved exactly. Costs can be kept to an absolute minimum and the personal involvement of the family may help the grieving process in ways that other arrangements may not.
There are several elements to consider when organising a funeral yourself, i.e. what happens to the body prior to the funeral? What legal obligations do you have? What happens at the cemetery or crematorium?
Hopefully the following information will help provide you with assistance and outline what is involved.
Living Wills
Making a Living Will helps the organiser immensely and will reduce the likelihood of disputes or disagreements within the family. We can provide you with an outline of a Living Will that may help in this process.
When Death Occurs
If the death occurs at home the General Practitioner, who attended the deceased during their last illness, will confirm the death and issue a certificate stating the cause of death.
If the death occurs in hospital, it is normal for the doctor attending to issue the certificate or it may be issued via the hospitals administrative office.
Where the death occurs and the cause can not be confirmed, where the GP had not recently attended to the deceased prior to their death, or if the death was sudden or unexpected, the coroner will need to be informed.
Registering the Death
The next of kin or the person arranging the funeral must take the certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar of Births and Deaths within five days of the death. They will issue the Death Certificate, registering the death.
Consider obtaining several copies of the death certificate as these may be needed for banks and other institutions when dealing with the deceased's estate.
If the death has been reported to the coroner and an inquest is to be held the coroner will issue a form to the registrar. The coroner may also issue a Form E for cremation or a coroners Order for Burial.
Where the coroner does not hold an inquest the next of kin can register the death only when the coroner has confirmed the cause of death.
Forms/Documentation Required
Cremation
Depending on the circumstances of the death a combination of the following Forms will be required before a cremation can be carried out. We can advise which of the following Forms will be required at the appropriate time:
- Form 'A'
Application for Cremation, completed by the applicant, (person arranging funeral). - Form 'B'
Certificate of Medical Attendant, completed by GP or doctor attending the deceased immediately prior to death. - Form 'C';
Confirmatory Medical Certificate, completed by a 2nd Doctor. - Registrars' 'Disposal Certificate For Cremation' after Registration
Issued by the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages. - Order for Cremation"
Completed by the applicant giving funeral service information and instructions. - Form 'E'
Issued by the Coroner following an Inquest being held. - Form 'F';
Signed by the Medical Referee. (Appointed by the Cremation Authority).
Please Note (No cremation can be allowed unless the Medical Referee is satisfied that the cause of death has been definitely ascertained).
Burial
The following forms/documentation where appropriate will be required. We can advise which of the following will be required at the appropriate time.
- Registrars' 'Disposal Certificate for Burial' Before or After Registration;
Issued by the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages. - 'Application for Burial'
Completed by the applicant giving funeral service information and instructions. - 'Exclusive Right of Burial (Deeds)'
for the opening or reopening of an existing grave only. - 'Coroners Order for Burial'
Issued by the Coroner
Arranging a Cremation
It will be necessary to inform the hospital or medical practitioner who last attended the deceased that a cremation is to take place. The medical practitioner will then complete a Statutory Form B setting out the cause of death and other circumstances surrounding the death. He will then pass this Form B to another qualified medical practitioner who will examine the body and complete a confirmatory certificate known as Form C before arranging for both forms to be delivered to the Crematorium. There is a charge for the completion of both these forms.
Where the Coroner has been involved in establishing the cause of death and has issued a Coroners Order for Cremation known as Form E, in which case Forms B and C mentioned above are not required.
Prior to any cremation taking place, a Home Office approved Doctor, called the Medical Referee, will examine Forms B and C. If he then agrees with the findings of the other two Doctors, concerning the cause of death, he will then sign Form F authorising cremation. No cremation can take place until this final authorisation is obtained. The Medical Referee can order a Post Mortem examination if he feels this to be necessary.
You will need to sign a Statutory Application for Cremation (Form A) in the presence of another person who will be required to certify that you are known to them, and that they have no reason to doubt the answer given to any of the questions on the form.
The Crematorium will also need written instructions for the service and disposal of the cremated remains. All statutory forms, including the Coroners Order for Cremation or the Registrars Certificate for Cremation or Burial, must be delivered to the Crematorium by no later than 10.00am on the working day prior to the funeral service.
The full service, which will last approximately 30 minutes, can take place in the Crematorium Chapel or part of the service can be held in your own church with only a short Committal Ceremony, lasting approximately 5 minutes, being held at the Crematorium. Should you wish to have a longer service, or expect a large number of people to attend, it is possible to arrange for additional time on payment of a fee.
You will need to book a Chapel time with the Crematorium (at Robin Hood or Woodlands) as services times are weekdays between 9.30 and 3.30pm.
Arranging a Burial
Burials in the Council Cemeteries may take place weekdays between the hours of 9.15am and 2.30pm. The Cemeteries are administered through the office at Robin Hood Cemetery and Woodlands Cemetery who should be contacted as soon as possible to make your wishes known.
You will need to complete an Application for Interment Form, and provide the Registrars Certificate for Cremation or Burial, or the Coroners Order for Burial.
If the interment is to take place in an existing grave. The owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial will be required to give their permission, unless it is the owner's interment taking place. The Exclusive Right of Burial (Deeds) for the existing grave should be delivered to the Cemetery as soon as possible.
If the interment is to take place in a new grave you will need to discuss the options available with staff at the cemetery.
In order to allow sufficient time to prepare the grave all instructions and documentation should be issued 3 days before the day the service is required.
Storing the body
If the death occurs at home a Funeral Director may agree to provide you with mortuary facilities. Alternatively you may be able to use the local public mortuary. It is possible to keep the deceased at home for a few days, but the body must be kept in a cool well ventilated room.
If death occurred in a hospital, it may be possible for the deceased to remain in the hospital mortuary. You will have to make arrangements with the hospital mortuary to collect the deceased.
Embalming
It is not a requirement for the deceased to be embalmed for a burial or cremation and is down to personal choice. However, in some circumstances it may be preferable, and may be dependant on such factors as; whether the family have selected a service with a public or private viewing of the body with an open casket. It may be a requirement if the deceased is going to be transported by air or rail; or because of the length of time prior to the burial or cremation
The Coffin
The deceased must be transported to the crematorium or cemetery in a suitable coffin, clearly identifying the full name and age of the deceased. It may be possible to purchase a coffin from a funeral director, alternatively, there are a number of companies producing eco friendly coffins. These can be found on the internet. You may decide to construct you own coffin, but material and method of construction must conform to the standards identified within our Regulations. You should talk to the crematorium or cemetery about the regulations in relation to this matter.
Transportation
If the deceased has to be removed from the hospital, you must contact the mortuary in advance to ensure the correct documentation is produced.
You will require a suitable vehicle to take the coffin, this could be an estate car, van etc. You will also require help and assistance to lift and carry the coffin.
The Funeral Service
If you wish to have a religious funeral service you will need to contact the minister or officiate to conduct the service. Alternatively you may choose to have a non denominational service. You have the option to personalise the service as you wish.
The funeral service can be conducted at the crematorium, or at the graveside, within a church, chapel or a combination of any of these.
The entire funeral can be handled by the bereaved family and our officers are able to assist in facilitating this. Such a funeral is referred to as 'Personalised' or 'Independent' funeral, rather than the possibly offensive term 'DIY' funeral. You should note that Funeral Directors may not sell coffins separately or offer a hearse for use, unless the entire funeral package is purchased from them.