We are here for you...
Funeral Arrangements
Helping you prepare for the inevitable
Your funeral, your way
Funerals are personal to every individual, they can reflect their beliefs or be a reflection of their own lives.
A funeral service can be held at a place of worship like a church or chapel, in a crematorium, at a grave side, in a family home, in one of our purpose built funeral homes (our locations) or somewhere meaningful to the family like a garden or sports field.
Funeral Services may involve a faith leader like an ordained minister, a priest, an Imam, Rabbi, a family member or friend who wants to lead the service, a celebrant or a humanist celebrant.
Information of different faiths can be found here:
A question that may be difficult to come to a decision on.
Burial or Cremation?
Things to think about: Has your loved one discussed their wishes, or left information in their will or funeral plan?
Does their faith have guidelines on how they should be treated, for example, in the Jewish and Muslim faiths cremation is strictly forbidden, however in the Hindu faith cremation is encouraged.
We can assist you to organise the burial or cremation, some locations are listed below.
What is an Eco or Green Funeral?
An Eco or ‘Green Funeral’ is a way of saying goodbye that causes as little harm to the environment as possible. Burial in a natural burial ground is preferred but not always practical if they are not local. Biodegradable natural products should be used for the coffin and clothing. It is suggested that embalming or any unnecessary use of chemicals is frowned upon.
In Northern Ireland the use of electric hearses is very rare, however our mild hybrid Mercedes Benz hearse is very efficient and runs on electric in urban areas.
Please see a link to our friend Colin’s natural burial ground below, Andrew visited it in 2022 and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Bereavement Support
Contact details for the Bereavement Service, which offers relatives a single point of contact for reporting a death to the Department for Communities and helps them access any other benefits they may be entitled to.
Freephone: 0800 085 2463 or go to website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bereavement-service-reporting-death
For official advice regarding arranging a funeral please see https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/arranging-funeral
The first steps when someone dies...
Who do I call?
The first thing you will need to do is have a medical professional verify the death. For example, a Doctor, Nurse or Ambulance Crew.
If there is already a plan in place, contact us, and we will talk you through your loved ones wishes and what happens next.
If there is no plan in place, you can contact a member of our friendly professional team and we will advise you on your options and how we can support you.
The first steps when someone dies...
Who do I need to tell?
You will need to notify various people and organisations of the death.
The below list will give you some guidance on where to start:
- Let family and friends know. They will also be there to help and support you.
- Register the death with the local Registrar to where your loved one passed away.
- Contact the Bank and DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) for Pensions
- Check if there is a Will and what you need to do to action it.
- Check for any Life Insurance policies.
- Cancel utility bills and Council Tax.
- Notify the Landlord or Council if their home was rented.
- Check if you are entitled to Government Bereavement Support Payment
- Are there any pets that need to be cared for or re-homed
Embalming
Embalming is not compulsory, your loved one may wish not to be embalmed for personal reasons or their religious beliefs.
Embalming helps to delay the natural breakdown of tissues in the body by replacing bodily fluid with chemicals preservatives and dyes. Embalming can help make a person look more like they did before passing away, and take away signs of illness or injuries they might have had before death.
We have two qualified Embalmers in our team who are members of the British Institute of Embalmers. To become qualified they studied under tutors, learning about human anatomy, embalming techniques and a variety of different products and how they work, after this learning they have undergone vigorous examinations to ensure their work is off the highest standard.
Help us by letting us help you...
Please feel free to contact us at any time, day or night, if you wish to talk to one of our team of highly skilled team members in confidence.
