Using a Funeral Director
Introduction
Choosing the right funeral director is an important decision. As
a member of the Charter for the Bereaved we are able to advise you
about funeral arrangements but cannot directly recommend a
particular funeral director. However we hope that the information
here will help you make an informed choice and may answer any
questions you may have.
Recommendations from friends and family are often a good place
to start but this should not replace your own research into what
services each company offers and how much these services will
cost.
Funeral directors can set up business without training or
qualifications and no licence is necessary. Without set universal
standards separating a good funeral director from an indifferent
one can be difficult. Some funeral directors are members of
professional organisations, who may operate a Code of Conduct and a
complaints procedure. The National Association of Funeral Directors
(NAFD), the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
(SAIF), and The Funeral Standards Council are examples.
You can obtain details of your local funeral directors in from
Telephone Directories, Newspapers, the Citizens Advice Bureau or
on-line.
The role and service of a funeral director
The role of the Funeral Director is rarely understood. Although
funeral directors help, console and guide the bereaved that does
not prevent them being subject to critical analysis. They are often
organising a funeral with distressed people who may have no
expectations of a funeral and its arrangements with satisfaction
relying upon the meeting of philosophical and other complex needs.
Therefore it is important for everybody to be informed and prepared
for death and funerals. The completion of a Will or funeral
directive empowers the bereaved and reduces their reliance upon a
Funeral Director at the critical time of a death.
After the executor or person arranging the funeral has contacted
a funeral director, a package will usually comprise of:
- a meeting to discuss the funeral arrangements
- collection of the body and preparation for it to be viewed
- a choice of coffins is usually offered and the deceased can be
viewed, by appointment, in a Chapel of Rest
- the funeral director will contact the cemetery or crematorium
and arrange the date and time of the funeral
- the funeral director will ensure all forms are correctly
completed and any necessary forms/certificates delivered to the
cemetery/crematorium office Details will be given about the form of
service and music if required
- the funeral director will pay the various fees involved, called
disbursements. These include cemetery / crematorium fees,
minister's fees etc
- floral tributes and newspaper obituaries can be arranged if
required
- A hearse and following limousines will be provided and the
funeral will take place under the guidance of the funeral
director
- After the funeral, an account will be sent. This account should
be itemised and clearly define the disbursements paid on behalf of
the person arranging the funeral
Price transparency and facilities
Most funerals are sold as a 'package' and it can be difficult to
obtain the actual price of each component. This can create
difficulties if you wish to dispense with or change some of the
elements included in the package. The Office of Fair Trading has
suggested that price transparency should apply to charges allowing
families to select more or less of a service according to their
needs. In general price transparency is not offered to families,
for example some funeral directors will not charge for their time
but add this to the cost of the hearse and coffin.
The coffin is one item that carries the greatest proportion of
costs. The cost price of a standard chipboard coffin fitted out for
a funeral, can be £60-70 but may be sold for £300 -600.
Please remember that although the Funeral Director 'directs' the
funerals, you should have a complete choice of all materials and
are perfectly at liberty to source coffins, floral tributes and
memorials independently of your funeral director. Some funeral
directors own or have arrangements with particular firms that
supply floral tributes and memorials. Although this may be
convenient it may prevent you using independent suppliers. Make
sure you discuss these issues with the firm concerned before
completing any agreement.
The range of facilities available to you may influence your
choice of funeral director, such as the availability of a Chapel of
Rest. All funeral directors differ in the services they provide and
their ability to meet your requirements.
Innovations in funeral directing
There are a number of Innovations in funeral directing including
independent funeral directors offering a complete price menu. There
are also 'coffin shops' and 'green undertakers'. In 1995 the first
funeral supermarket opened in London replicating similar services
in France. The Natural Death Centre may be able to update you on
these services and offer you contact details.
Ownership of firms
Many of the traditional 'family firm' funeral directors have
been purchased by much larger companies who will then continue to
trade under the old name but may not offer the same service. The
new owners may not be disclosed on shop signs or letterheads.
Similarly older people tend to reflect upon the past socialist
principles of the 'Co-op' funeral service which may no longer
apply. Never be afraid to ask about ownership if it is an issue for
you.
The law on payment
Common law recognises that a funeral consists of a sequence of
tasks and events, all of which must be satisfactory. If even a
single element is performed unsatisfactorily, the payment of the
entire account may be disputed. The disbursements are not part of
the funeral directors charges and must be paid.
It should be noted that whoever orders the funeral becomes
liable for the funeral costs, regardless of their relationship to
the deceased.
Donations at funerals
Some people are concerned with excessive expenditure on wreaths
and floral tributes. An alternative to this is to organise a
collection for a named charity or other deserving cause by stating
"family flowers only" or "no flowers by request donation to..".
Related Links
Here are some helpful contacts you may wish to use when
arranging a funeral. You can also access websites from the links on
this page.
Society of Allied and
Independent Funeral Directors
SAIF Business Centre,
3 Bullfields,
Sawbridgeworth
Herts
CM21 9DB
Tel: 0845 230 6777
Website: http://www.saif.org.uk/ (external
link)
National Association of
Funeral Directors
618 Warwick Road,
Solihull,
West Midlands,
B91 1AA
Tel: 0845 230 1343
Website: http://www.nafd.org.uk/ (external
link)
Age Concern
Astral House,
1268 London Road,
London,
SW16 4ER
Tel: 020 8765 7200
Website: http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/ (external
link)
Natural Death Centre
12a Blackstock Mews,
Blackstock Road,
London
N4 2BT
Tel: 0871 288 2098
Website: http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/ (external
link)