• Frequently Asked Questions

    or please feel free to contact us to discuss anything

  • Common questions

    How soon can a funeral take place?

    It is best to allow between 7 to 10 days, however in particular circumstances the funeral can take place within 24 hours of the death. We will, of course, ensure that the date of the funeral is convenient for the family.

    What types of funeral do you perform

    There are many options available for funeral services, and we can help you fulfil your and the deceased's wishes. Some of the many types of funeral are:

    • Religious or non-religious services
    • Service in a church, mosque or synagogue
    • A Civil Funeral ceremony, a funeral which can include religious elements of whatever faith or no religious content at all
    • Natural Burial service, for those conscious of impact on the environment and  to meet people's wish to be as environmentally friendly in death as they have been during their lives.

    How much will it cost?

    There are several factors that determine the funeral cost, e.g. style of funeral, choice of coffin, number of limousines required, etc.

     

    We will provide you with an itemised estimate of funeral costs once we understand your wishes for the service. 

    Announcing the death

    You may wish to announce the death, and give details of the funeral arrangements in a local, national or international newspaper. We can assist you with this and help with the wording should you need it. We can advise you regarding instructions for flowers or charitable donations. You may also wish to consider an 'acknowledgement' notice at a later date.

    How is the deceased cared for?

    After the removal from the place of death the deceased is cared for at our premises prior to being placed in the chosen coffin for viewing in readiness for the funeral.

     

    The deceased may be dressed in a gown provided by us or clothing provided by the family (please note that some crematoria have restrictions about personal clothing).

     

    We recommend the provision of hygienic treatment for the deceased where families are planning to visit the Chapel of Rest or where there may be a lengthy period between the death and the funeral. Hygienic treatment is carried out by qualified staff and enhances the presentation and preservation of the deceased. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have on this procedure.

    Seeing the deceased before the service

    Families may like the opportunity to visit the Chapel of Rest to see the deceased before the service, and our staff will always discuss the matter beforehand if you are uncertain. Only occasionally may our professional opinion be that this is inadvisable. We will accompany you into the Chapel if you are concerned about this visit.

     

    Photographs, letters or other small personal items can be brought to the chapel and placed in the coffin, but you should discuss this with your Funeral Director to ensure that there are no restrictions at the crematorium

    What happens to items like jewellery?

    It is important that instructions left by the deceased with regard to personal effects (i.e. wedding rings) are observed. The family may also have specific wishes in this respect. If such items are to be removed your Funeral Director should be instructed by the executors and arrangements made for their collection BEFORE the funeral.

    Funerals at a distance

    It may be that you wish for the funeral to take place away from the local area. Distance is no object and we will give you an estimate of the cost involved.

    What is 'embalming'?

    It is an invasive preservation technique that involves introducing a chemical preservative through the vascular system. We only suggest this option when a body is to be kept for some time, exported by air or the coffin is to be opened during a church service.

  • About the service

    What happens at a burial?

    If you propose to use a new plot in a Cemetery or Churchyard we will advise you of the options available. For a burial in an existing grave in a public cemetery the Deeds of the grave may be important. The Deeds may be with the deceased's personal papers. There will be no Deed if the grave is in a Churchyard. Usually there will be a funeral service in a church/chapel or at the graveside.

     

    The internment can be a very emotional experience and you may wish this part to be for close family only or you may welcome the support from friends. During the brief words of committal the coffin is gently lowered into the grave - your Funeral Director may scatter a little earth or petals. You may also wish to scatter a little earth on the coffin yourself, or to place a flower in the grave.

     

    Afterwards the floral tributes will be displayed nearby for everyone to see. We can arrange for a temporary marker to be placed on the grave whilst the necessary time elapses before a permanent memorial can be erected.

    What happens at a cremation?

    The funeral may begin with a religious ceremony in a church or perhaps a non-religious ceremony at another location away from the Crematorium. Alternatively the whole ceremony may be in the Crematorium chapel. Usually a twenty to thirty minute service is the maximum available, although an additional time can be booked at an extra cost.

     

    If you are making your own way to the Crematorium please allow yourself plenty of time. Often the family will follow behind the coffin as it is borne into the chapel. And you may prefer to request that the coffin should remain on view in the Chapel until you have left.

     

    In the UK about 75% of funerals involve cremation. Cremation is generally cheaper. Cremations are carried out one at a time and the cremated remains, 'ash' which consists of crushed dried desiccated bone fragments, are collected before the next coffin is introduced into the cremator.

     

    The crematoria in our area require 4 hours to complete the process.

    You are able to collect the cremated remains the next working day, following the funeral.

     

    Cremated remains can be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance at the crematorium, strewn (poured under a turf), buried loose or in an urn or casket in a grave or taken away by the family.

     

    All cremations are carried out individually to a strict Code of Practice. Some Crematoria are unable to accept coffins above specific dimensions. If this occurs we will advise you of the alternatives.

    Music at the service

    These days the personal choice of appropriate music can be very important. We will be able to advise you on the various options available and also help with any additional equipment required.

     

    Local Crematoria have different facilities for playing pre-recorded music from your own collection or their extensive collection. Please discuss this with your Funeral Director who will be aware of local arrangements.

     

    It is essential that any recorded music is discussed and agreed at least 48 hours in advance of a funeral. This will ensure that there is plenty of time for delivery, downloading, or rehearsal and may avoid disappointment if something is handed to the Funeral Director at the last minute. If the service is in church we may need to obtain permission from the incumbent before certain music can be played.

    Announcing the death

    You may wish to announce the death, and give details of the funeral arrangements in a local, national or international newspaper. We can assist you with this and help with the wording should you need it. We can advise you regarding instructions for flowers or charitable donations. You may also wish to consider an 'acknowledgement' notice at a later date.

    What happens to cremated remains?

    There are various options regarding the final resting place for the ashes of the deceased. These include

    • The crematorium garden of remembrance, which can include an entry in the Book of Remembrance or other memorialisation.
    • Burial in a churchyard or cemetery, either locally or nationally, in a new grave or existing family plot. 
    • A private scattering if there is a special place that is appropriate. Other options include a woodland burial or burial at sea. 

    Whatever your final decision you will be given time to consider all the options. You may wish us to hold the ashes until you have decided.

    What about flowers?

    Floral tributes can be an expression of respect and love for a life. We can assist you with ordering Floral Tributes.

     

    There are many options for who to use for floral tributes, and we can work with whoever you should choose. Or help you to identify the right florists. In the Wakefield area we recommend:

    Donations

    Nowadays more and more families choose to have donations to a charity instead of, or in addition to, flowers. It may be that the deceased has indicated a particular charity to benefit, or that the family need to consider an appropriate one.

     

    The details of the donations are often published in the newspaper announcement and are usually sent care of the Funeral Director. Each donation will be acknowledged by us (where an address has been supplied) including the opportunity to Gift Aid.

     

    After approximately six weeks a list will be compiled for the family showing the total collected. The cheques will be sent to the nominated charity (or charities) requesting an acknowledgement be sent to the family.

    Printed service cards

    We can help to organise printing services for any cards of remembrance. Many people like to keep some after the service and send one to anyone who may not have been able to attend. It is essential to liaise with the Minister conducting the service to help compile the content and sequence of the ceremony.

    Counting attendance

    We can provide pre-printed attendance cards (often known as pew cards) for members of the congregation to complete. They also give the opportunity to inform you of their connection to the deceased. We can also provide a Book of Remembrance for the congregation to complete.

    How soon after a burial can a headstone be placed?

    The grave usually takes between 3 and 6 months for the ground to settle and be firm enough to place the weight of a headstone. Arrangements can be put in place before this time to ensure that the headstone can be erected as soon as the ground is ready.

  • Dealing with death

    Needing a bereavement counsellor

    The support and advice of your Funeral Director will not necessarily end with the funeral. Should you feel the need for any additional help please do not hesitate to contact us. It may be that you (or one of your family or a child) requires some support and could be helped through this difficult time by a trained and skilled counsellor who will be able to 'lend an ear'. We will be able to put you in contact with counsellors who work closely with us.

    What should I tell children?

    Understandably this is a difficult subject and we are often asked whether children should attend a funeral. Naturally this will depend upon the age of the child, their relationship with the person who has died, and whether they have expressed a wish to do so. Each child is different and will react as an individual.

     

    From our experience you may find the following information helpful. It is important that a child is told as quickly as possible when there is a death in the family. The news should be given by the person closest to them in a simple and straightforward manner. Do not be afraid to use the words 'died' or 'dead' and be careful with the pictures you may create in the child's mind - they need to agree with what the child actually knows or has seen. Encourage the child to talk about the deceased and to ask questions; answer these briefly but truthfully - you may be surprised how supportive and accepting the child can be.

     

    To help you, we recommend some books available from all good bookstores: