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"Tis after death that we measure men" | |||
| Funeral What to do first Non religious services Save a fortune Before it happens Make it personal How to complain Details Of mice & men Snippets
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Most funeral directors should provide a written quotation at the time of making the funeral arrangements. Don't be afraid to use that to compare prices with other firms before making any final arrangements - you may have to see them personally, they seem reluctant to "quote" over the telephone. Discuss your options fully with family and friends before meeting with the funeral home staff and decide on what you want. Do not be persuaded to change your mind, even if you feel under pressure to make decision - you can always come back later to confirm your choices.As insist on the cheapest selection. Do not be persuaded that a burial requires a "better container" or that the loved one would "look so much nicer" in a vastly more expensive one. Remember what happens next to these things. Stay calm and do not be rushed into any decision. Always try to have someone with you. Be aware that you can change your mind later. If you choose the coffin from a brochure, make certain that you have been shown the full range of items available - there may be a cheaper product that will look more than suitable. Remember that most coffins will be covered by flowers and seen only briefly anyway. If the funeral director is a member of an association, ask for their "Basic Funeral" (this package usually consists of a hearse and funeral staff, direct to the crematorium or graveside) - make certain that you understand what you will get your money. Some councils will have a nominated funeral director that will provide a basic funeral at a low cost. Ask at city/town hall or the crematorium or look in your Yellow Pages. There is no stigma attached to these council funerals and nobody will realise it's not a much more expensive package on the day anyway. The company providing the funeral arrangement will actually do their best to ensure a good service for you - they want your business in the future, after all - and you will find that you will have exactly the same vehicles and staff as those used on any other funeral that company offers. Do it yourself - it can be done, but you will need good advice and lots of patience. You must realise that even after completing all paper-work and documentation with a funeral company , you can cancel and take your business elsewhere at any time you wish, even up to the day of the actual funeral. If you can, don't place a newspaper notice - you'll tell everyone by telephone anyway! If you want a notice, do it yourself - no commission charges! It's not difficult and often the staff at the local paper will provide guidance - you can always copy the wording from other notices. If you have the equipment, do your own printing. A home computer printed Order of Service will often be of surprisingly better quality then that provided by the company - we've actually seen paper photocopies handed out! Order a hearse only and drive yourselves to and from the event - but check that there is a discount from the funeral director when no limousines are used. (Most funeral packages will include one limousine so why not use it anyway?) Avoid ordering "extra" vehicles - they cost "extra" money - and let just the immediate family travel with you. We mostly think of limousines as the low slung American behemoths seen on film or tv, while the UK versions tend to be either extended luxury cars or bulky old fashioned oddities. Use an independent funeral director - they're more able to discuss better prices and they tend not to work to hidden agendas. Buy your own flowers - it's always cheaper - no commission charges! If you are away from home, and you can manage it, have a cremation locally and take the cremated remains (ashes) home yourself for later disposal. It is difficult to do but the saving in transport costs alone are huge. If there is a will to be settled, apply for a set of forms from your nearest Probate Office and take a good look at them before automatically handing over to a solicitor. Taken in stages, they can be quite easy to complete and you'll make a considerable saving in fees. You must make clear just who is responsible for making settlement of the estate and take care that all demands are made of them. If there may be a problem in making payment, do tell the arranger at this time. If you make the funeral arrangements for another person - perhaps they were unable to attend the funeral directors for some reason, be aware that you will be required to sign certain documentation that may later result in your liability for settlement of the final account. Buy a prepaid funeral plan now! The sooner you invest in one the greater savings, over time, to be had. You may be able to make a claim from the Social Fund, contact your local DSS. There is a way of obtaining a free funeral - apart from passing away yourself that is - but it takes a certain sort of person to be able to get one. If a distant or aged relative should die in another town or county to your own, you can merely refuse to accept responsibility for the arrangements or funeral expenses. Eventually the local authority will arrange a simple graveside burial - don't be expected to be invited........ |
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