Most people will arrange only one or two funerals in their lives, and it isn’t something any of us want to do more often. That’s why our team of experienced, caring and professional staff are here to advise you, and guide you through the funeral arrangements from before the death even occurs.
Hopefully you will be able to find answers to a lot of your questions here on our web site, but if you don’t find what you are looking for, or you simply prefer to speak to somebody about your query, please get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Making The Funeral Arrangements
When we talk to you to begin the process of arranging a funeral, there will be certain key choices that will need to be made. It is often a good idea to investigate whether the deceased person left instructions or even a funeral plan to help with these decisions. If not, it is helpful to talk with family and friends to get a feel for what may be appropriate. When talking to us, you can then let us know what you would like us to arrange.
Key Information We Will Ask You About
Other Information We Will Need
We will ask you for some key information about the deceased, including:
- Their date of birth
- Their date of death
- Their marital status
- Your relationship to them
- Their occupation
- Their home address
Key Choices You Will Need To Make
Burial or Cremation?
A key choice you will need to make is whether the funeral is to be concluded with a burial or a cremation. Most people know which option is appropriate, but if not, this is a decision that affects the statutory paperwork required for the funeral to take place, so a choice will need to be made before the funeral can be booked.
Funeral Venue
If the deceased regularly attended church in their life, you may wish for the funeral service to take place in church prior to either cremation or burial. The full service can take place in church, with the option for family and other mourners to attend the cemetery or crematorium, or to have our team escort the deceased there with family and mourners moving on to a reception to continue sharing memories.
Religious and Non-Religious Funerals
Many people find their faith to be a source of comfort and support during a time of loss. We are aware that within the communities we serve there are many different groups of faiths and beliefs, and it is for this reason that we do everything we can to accommodate the needs of people in those groups. We will always do our best to advise on the legality and practicality of any particular rite associated with a religious funeral. The local authorities are also fully aware of the needs of the different religious groups locally, and will cooperate in any way they can to facilitate the necessary rites. However, there are many who choose not to pursue a particular faith, and we are equally well placed to advise on the options available to them.
"Green" Funerals
These days we are all increasingly aware of the impact that our lives have on the environment around us.We believe that what we do today should leave a lasting legacy for future generations, and that legacy should be a clean and beautiful environment.
Futher Decisions
There will be more decisions that can be made once the funeral is booked.
Death Notices & Obituaries
When somebody dies it is not always easy to let all of the relevant people know. It is all too easy to forget contacts of the deceased who may not be a part of their every-day lives, but would want to attend the funeral. For that reason, many people choose to have a death notice placed in one of the local papers (for the Dacorum area this is the Gazette). We are able to write and place these notices for you once the funeral arrangements are made.
Music and Webcasting
Music will play some part in most services, whether it be sung hymns or simply a piece of recorded music which the family or deceased has chosen. We are able to advise on appropriate music and acceptable formats for any funeral service venue when you make your arrangements.
Floral Tributes
Many people choose to send floral tributes to a funeral in memory of the deceased, and most times the next-of kin will wish for some flowers to be placed on top of the coffin. Floral tributes come in many forms, from the simplest single flower right up to words such as “Father” or “Mother” being spelled out on frames. When ordering flowers from the florist, there are a number of things to consider.
After The Funeral
After the funeral service is completed there will be time, either on the floral terrace outside the crematorium or at the graveside, to view any floral tributes that have accompanied the funeral and to speak with people attending the funeral. You may wish however to retire to another venue following the funeral in order to catch-up with people. Places such as pubs, restaurants and other venues with function rooms are all happy to accommodate funeral groups and will normally cater if required.