How to Find a Funeral Director in the UK 2020

Planning for the funeral on your own can be overwhelming. Funeral directors come in handy during such times, providing the support and practical assistance you need.

There are numerous benefits of hiring these professionals, but there are lots of considerations to make too. In this guide, we examine everything you need to keep in mind when planning a funeral in the UK. We also analyse the factors you need to consider when selecting the right funeral director for the job.

Read on to learn how you can get the most suitable funeral director while keeping the funeral cost to a minimum.

Best Funeral Plan Providers in the UK 2020

What Are Funeral Directors?

Funeral directors essentially manage funeral homes and funeral plans.

Having a professional guide you through the funeral process could really come in handy. It is an emotional and difficult time, and getting the right kind of support can go a long way in making the situation bearable.

When someone dies in the UK, there are numerous administrative factors to consider before, during and after the memorial service.  Good funeral directors will see to it that the entire process goes without a hitch.

Some of the key services to expect from a good funeral director include:

Before the Ceremony:

• Transporting the body from the place of death and taking care of it up until the funeral
• Dealing with the legal documentation required for a burial or cremation to take place
• Providing the facilities for viewing the body before the ceremony
• Placing death notices online and/or in newspapers

During the Ceremony:

• Dressing the body
• Planning ceremony details, ensuring that your wishes and those of the deceased reflect in the arrangements
• Offering a variety of caskets and coffins to suit individual choices and budget
• Accepting donations on your behalf
• Providing pallbearers if necessary

After the ceremony:

• Arranging the transfer of cremated remains or the deceased to the desired place
• Organizing the ‘Thank you’ cards
• Assisting in arranging the preservation of ashes in a memorial casket or scattering after a cremation

Benefits of Having Funeral Directors

There are lots of compelling reasons why you should entrust this delicate task to a professional. Consider below the five benefits that funeral directors offer.

Experience

A lot of work goes into planning a suitable send-off for a close family member or friend. Fortunately, a majority of people do not have to plan for such services frequently. But since it is their job description, funeral directors get to do it on a daily basis.

So, when you hire professional funeral directors you get experienced individuals to handle things on your behalf. With the right set of skills and knowledge for the job, they can give your loved one an honourable farewell.

A Smooth Ceremony

Since they have experience in this line of work, professional funeral directors ensure that the service goes without a hitch. This makes it easier for you to focus on the memory of your loved one, rather than the organization aspect of things.

Good Documentation and Logistics

There is a lot of paperwork to deal with when a loved one dies. The bereaved are likely not in the best frame of mind to deal with this on top of the loss.

Funeral directors deal with this kind of stuff all the time. Letting them do so for you is one way to make the stressful trek less overwhelming.

Helpful References

Getting everything for the ceremony to fall into place takes quite a bit of coordination and it involves a whole network of participants. From getting the florists and lawyers to the pastor and caterers, professional funeral directors know all the people that matter. By virtue of this, they can help you keep the funeral cost manageable.

Round the Clock Support

During times of grief, thoughts and plans may be all over the place. In some cases, you may need to set something straight after work hours or over the weekend. The best thing about funeral directors is that they also work on evenings and weekends. Having them on call anytime you need them makes a world of difference in ensuring everything works out well.

Assistance Beyond the Memorial Service

Even after the memorial service, there is still a lot to work on. For instance, in the UK, you need to submit papers to relevant state officials to get a death certificate. In addition to the death certificate, you may need to work out the will and other legal documents.

You might also require help sorting out the properties the deceased has left behind, resolving insurance claims, making an application for funeral benefits and handling inheritance taxes. Professional funeral directors can hold your hand through this as well.

What is a Funeral Plan?

This is an arrangement under which you get to select the type of send-off ceremony you want and make advance payment for it. Under this arrangement, you get to freeze the cost of a funeral at current prices. By so doing you can avoid the rising costs of funerals and eliminate the anxiety that comes with planning for an unexpected burial.

Funeral Plans and Funeral Directors Cost

In the UK, the average funeral cost is £4,500. Actual costs will vary depending on where you live and the elements you need in the funeral ceremony. Moreover, depending on whether you choose burial or cremation, the expenses will vary.

Here are some of the expenses you may need to consider:

1. Disbursements 

These are the costs that your funeral directors will collect on behalf of third parties. These third parties include all the people they liaise with to plan the event. Some of the common disbursements include:

• Death notice fees
• Doctor’s fees for death certification
• Florist fees
• Caterer’s fees for wake or reception
• Venue hire fees
• Religious leader or celebrant fees

2. Burial vs. Cremation

Cremations are generally less expensive than burials though the exact fee will depend on whether you choose a public or private crematorium. In addition to the cremation, you may also need to pay for an urn, for ash scattering or for burying the ashes in a cemetery.

3. Funeral Director Fees

While the services of funeral directors can reduce the stress you experience during this time, they come at a cost. Thanks to the advent of the internet, it is now easier than ever before to compare rates and find cheap funeral directors with a good reputation.

Tips to Manage Funeral Costs

There are a number of sources that can assist you in managing the funeral costs. These include:

• The UK Government – In the UK, the government has a program known as the Funeral Expenses Payment under which you can get monetary assistance if you qualify. The amount can be up to £700 or £1,000 depending on when the person dies.
• The Estate of the Deceased – If the deceased had sufficient funds in their estate, you can claim funeral expenses from there during probate. In case they did not leave a will, you could use a bank statement to find out about possible insurance policies, funeral plans or any other assets.
• Budgeting Loans – These are small loans free of interest that you can repay directly from benefits.
• Veterans UK – For people who were receiving a War Disablement Pension or whose death was a result of serving in the HM Forces, you can get full support here for the expenses of a simple funeral.

What to Look for When Choosing Funeral Directors

When choosing funeral directors, you hardly have the time or the emotional sobriety to be selective.

Here are some important tips that could help you make a good choice:

Confirm that they are Members of One or More Official Organisation

There are two major organizations for funeral service directors in the UK. These are:

• The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
• The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)

These bodies have codes of ethics and practice that they require members to adhere to. In the highly unlikely event that you have a complaint, having the backing of these associations will come in handy. Check their membership credentials on the service provider’s website.

Compare Prices

Funeral costs should not be your sole consideration but it matters. The fact that costs keep increasing every passing year means you might need to compare offers. At the end of the day, they all achieve the same objective. So getting cheap funeral directors with a reputation for quality services would be worthwhile.

One of the best ways to find cheap funeral directors is by comparing the rates offered by different funeral plans.

Check User Reviews

In today’s digital age, people take to the internet to express their feelings, good and bad, about all services, including funerals. To get a firsthand account of a given service, find out what previous users have to say.

Service Package

Do you have any personal preferences for the ceremony? Do the services you have in mind cater to these preferences? While some funeral directors offer comprehensive packages, others specialize in traditional, alternative contemporary or eco-friendly services. Some offer embalming services and others do not. Find out what they have on offer before making a down payment.

Payment Options

Funeral directors also differ significantly in terms of their supported payment options. There are some who require the full payment upfront while others can wait. A highly convenient option that some offer takes the form of funeral plans. You get to pick out a plan beforehand and even pay in instalments. This way, the ceremony does not send you into debt or drain your existing resources.

Steps to Follow If A Loved One Dies

Here are the steps you need to follow in the UK before the funeral ceremony can take place:

1. Call your Chosen Funeral Director or Funeral Plan Provider

As is the case with any other death, you will need to call your chosen funeral director or funeral plan provider as a first step.

If the deceased is in a hospital, hospice or at home, they will plan to bring them into their care. However, if they died abroad, the funeral director or funeral plan provider will advise you on the way forward depending on the specific circumstances.

2. Register the Death

For anyone in England, Northern Ireland or Wales, you will have 5 days to register the death. Those in Scotland will have 8 days to do so. You will then receive your loved one’s Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (MCCD). You will need to share this paperwork with your funeral director.

3. Plan for the Funeral Ceremony

Most funeral directors are able to arrange face-to-face meetings to plan the funeral ceremony. But if you don’t have the time to meet them, planning can take place over the phone.

Conclusion

Funerals are a difficult time, more so if you have to handle the nitty-gritty to see to it that everything runs smoothly. However, with the right choice of funeral directors by your side, you can leave the planning and execution to the experts.

There are plenty of local funeral directors to choose from to ensure that you can have some peace of mind during this difficult time. The key to making sure it all works out well lies in making the right pick.

Essentially, the idea is to choose funeral directors that can help you bear the enormous weight without taking over from you. Keep in mind that the decisions they make will impact the way the friends and family will remember the deceased.

Based on the above tips and reviews of funeral plan providers, you now have everything you need to easily find good funeral directors.

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