FAQS In our opinion there is no such thing as a standard funeral. Each and every funeral is personal to the family concerned. It is up to that family to pay their last respects and say their last farewells in the manner that is most suitable for them.
The following information is here to help answer those questions that we are most often asked regarding the funeral and the services associated with it :-
*Changes to death registration from 09/09/2024* View changes to death registration here
Medical practitioner
As part of the reforms being introduced from September 2024, a medical practitioner will be eligible to be an attending practitioner and complete an MCCD, if they have attended the deceased in their lifetime. The attending practitioner will propose a cause of death, if they can do so, to the best of their knowledge and belief. The introduction of medical examiners will see routine independent scrutiny of the cause of death proposed by an attending practitioner.
Medical examiner role
Under the medical examiners regulations, medical examiners:
1. provide independent scrutiny of causes of death
2. give bereaved people an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns with someone not involved in providing care to the deceased person prior to their death
3. review medical records and work with doctors to complete the MCCD to help ensure this is accurate and to highlight any concerns about the care of the deceased person prior to their death.
A medical examiner is a senior medical practitioner who is contracted for a number of sessions a week to provide independent scrutiny of causes of death, outside of their usual clinical duties. They are trained in the legal and clinical elements of death certification processes and will not have been involved in caring for the patient.
Medical examiners have been carrying out independent scrutiny of causes of death since implementation of the non-statutory medical examiner system. They will continue to carry out these activities in the same way in the new death certification process, but independent scrutiny by a medical examiner will become a statutory requirement prior to the registration of all non-coronial deaths in England and Wales.
Once the relevant attending practitioner and the medical examiner have completed their declarations of certification and scrutiny, and the cause of death is confirmed, the MCCD will be sent to the registrar by the medical examiner rather than the attending practitioner. The representative of the deceased will be notified at the same time that they can now contact the registrar to arrange the registration of the death.
(Q). How Do We Know What To Do At The Funeral? (A). On the day of the funeral we are there to help and guide you, your family and friends. If you are unsure about anything please tell us.
(Q). Can The Family Carry The Coffin? (A). Yes, although we would ask that you contact us as soon as possible to explain the process and ensure that it is safe to do so.
(Q). Can we have a Hymn sheet or Order of Service sheet printed for the Funeral Service? (A). Yes, we will print any stationary, to an upper limit, free of charge.
(Q). Can We Visit The Deceased And Pay Our Last Respects? (A). Yes, our Funeral Homes are open and available to you at anytime. If you wish to visit our private chapels, please ring and let us know when you would like to come. We will be pleased to arrange for a member of staff to meet you.
(Q). Can We Have The Deceased Brought Home? (A). Yes, we can bring the deceased home either on the evening before the service or on the morning of the service, so the deceased can leave from home.
(Q). Can We Choose What Music Is Played At The Crematorium? (A). Yes, If you have a special request or would like a particular piece of music playing either as you walk into or out of the Crematorium Chapel, please let us know as soon as possible. We have a comprehensive choice of music and will normally arrange to provide the piece that you want.
(Q). Does The Coffin Move After The Funeral Service At The Crematorium? (A). No. After the service has ended, the coffin does not move until all relatives and friends have left the Crematorium Chapel.
At some Crematoria there are curtains that close around the coffin, but this is only done at the request of the relatives.
(Q). Are The Handles On The Coffin Removed Before The Cremation Takes Place? (A). No. There are strict laws regarding cremation. Nothing may be removed from the coffin before cremation without the permission of the Home Office.
(Q). Is Each Cremation Carried Out Individually? (A). Yes. The identity on the coffin name plate is checked by the Crematorium Attendant before it is placed in the Cremation Chamber. This only holds one coffin or casket at a time and again there are codes of practice that are followed.
(Q). Do I Get The Cremated Remains Back That Belong To Me? (A). Yes. Once the cremation has taken place, the cremated remains are removed and left to cool before being prepared, prior to being placed in an urn. This urn is clearly identified as to whose remains they are.
(Q). What Can I Do With The Cremated Remains? 1. You can arrange to strew them in the Gardens attached to the Crematorium.
2. You may wish to purchase a grave or a special plot in the memorial gardens of your local Cemetery or Church. This allows you to have a memorial stone.
3. You may keep them at home in a special urn or memorial.
4. You may scatter them in a special place.
5. The remains may be buried in or strewn on an existing family grave.
If you would like to discuss any of the above alternatives, please contact us and we will be pleased to help you.
(Q). How Will I Know Who Attended The Funeral? (A). A list of mourners who attended the funeral can be made, and written in a memorial book.
(Q). What About Catering After The Funeral? (A). If you require catering after the funeral you can make your own arrangements or contact us to make a booking at a hotel or restaurant of your choice. Alternatively we can provide catering and staff at your home.
(Q). Can you arrange for a notice to be put in the newspaper? (A). We will arrange any newspaper notices on your behalf
(Q). When is the Funeral Account Payable? (A). The Funeral Account is sent to the person responsible for the arrangements or the solicitor, when necessary, about a week after the funeral.
(Q). How Soon After A Burial Can I Put A Headstone On The Grave? (A). The grave usually takes between three and six months before the ground is firm enough to place the weight of a headstone. If the grave is 'bricked' inside, then it does not take as long.
