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Introduction
Although there is no actual legal requirement
to appoint a Funeral Director, it is usual to
do so. The Funeral Director (previously called
an Undertaker) ensures that all the arrangements
for the funeral and the subsequent burial or cremation
are made in compliance with the deceased’s
wishes and your instructions as Next of Kin.
As you will be particular vulnerable immediately
following a loved one’s death, it is very
important that you choose a reputable and professional
Funeral Director who will look after you.
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How to Choose
a Funeral Director
Recommendations of family and friends, your GP and
clergy as well as local reputation remain the best
ways to find the right Funeral Director.
You should be aware that at present there are
no universal codes of practice in place that control
the funeral business. The business which consists
of about 2,500 Funeral Directors in the UK remains
self regulating. It is therefore essential that
you appoint a reputable Funeral Director with
a strong local reputation. This is particularly
important as the profession finds itself in a
state of flux with numbers of long established
businesses being taken over in a continuing process
of consolidation.
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Search
for a Funeral Director
To search for a Funeral Director in your area
using the National Association of Funeral Directors’
database, please click
here. |
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How much will the funeral cost?
The cost of funerals has risen considerably in recent years. The average cost is now in the region of £3,500 for a funeral and almost £2,000 for a cremation. When you speak to the Funeral Director you should make sure that they confirm exactly what is included in their quoted price and in particular the price of specific items. The reason for this is that these prices can vary considerably; for example, a coffin can cost from between a few hundred pounds to a few thousand. To avoid problems later on, it is therefore essential you understand completely at the outset what you are agreeing to purchase. |
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Checklist
when Appointing a Funeral Director
- Speak to more than one Funeral Director as
fees can vary considerably.
- Check if they are a member of one of the
two trade associations.
- Ask for a price list.
- Ask for a detailed description of all the
costs involved including the various fees (called
disbursements) such as the cemetery fees that
the Funeral Director will make on your behalf.
This breakdown of the underlying costs is sometimes
difficult to obtain as funerals are often sold
as an overall package.
- Request a written estimate.
- Check when the Funeral Director’s bill
has to be paid. You should receive a discount
for early payment.
- Meet the Funeral Director at his place of
business before formally making the appointment.
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Book the Funeral Service
One of the first jobs that the Funeral Director will do is to check with you what type of funeral service is wanted. They will know the local clergy, the local cemeteries and the crematoria and will be able to make the appropriate arrangements and bookings. These arrangements will need to be made as soon as possible. You will then need to liaise with the person who is going to officiate at the funeral service to agree the format and the content for the service. For help in this, please see the separate section on Funerals. |
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Trade
Associations
Most good Funeral Directors will be a member of
one of the two trade associations which have their
own codes of conduct and complaint procedures.
The codes of practice specifically require member
firms to provide a price list on request and not
to exceed any written estimate without your permission.
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
- www.nafd.org.uk
The NAFD represents the interests of the full
spectrum of Funeral Directors from the independent
businesses, the Co-operatives to the major funeral
groups who conduct around 85% of UK funerals.
Society of Allied and Independent Directors (SAIF)
- www.saif.org.uk
SAIF looks after the interests of smaller, independent,
privately owned firms.
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