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General

A guide to Arranging a Funeral

When a family member passes away, it can be a very difficult time, and on top of the emotional side of things, there is the practical issue of arranging the funeral. Many people seem a little distant when a family member has recently died, especially if it was sudden and unexpected, and they are perhaps not on top of their game when dealing with things. If, like most people, you have no experience in dealing with such matters, here is a guide to making the funeral arrangements

Contact a Local Funeral Director – This should be done as soon as possible, even before obtaining the Death Certificate, as the funeral director is experienced in dealing with such matters and can advise you accordingly. If, for example, a person is looking for low cost funeral services in Cambridge, an online search would reveal the whereabouts of an established local funeral parlour.
Burial or Cremation – In the UK, when a person dies, they can either be buried or cremated, and burial itself is not restricted too much by regulations. If the deceased did not make a Last Will & Testament, then the executor of the estate would decide whether a creation of burial is more suitable, and of course, the deceased person’s religious background might dictate this. The Death Certificate must be signed by a registered doctor and must be accompanied by a Certificate for Burial, which is issued by the Registrar of Deaths, and all of this can be handled by the funeral director.
Chapel of Rest – The local funeral director would have a Chapel of Rest, which is a suitable place to store the body until the time of the service. Then, you will need to make some decisions as to the location, date and time of the funeral ceremony.
The Funeral Details – If a graveyard spot has been arranged, there would be a deed of grant, but most people prefer to be cremated, which is a lot cheaper and obviously does not take up valuable land. Once everything is agreed, you will need to draw up a list of people who will be invited to attend, and make the necessary provisions for a family gathering, while also informing everyone who is likely to attend.
Payment – Most funeral directors will offer an instalment option, as they realise that often, the family is ill prepared for such a tragic event, and many people have made provisions in their Will to cover the funeral expenses. You might be able to receive some government assistance, should your financial circumstances be such, and your local government website would likely have information about this.