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Arranging A Funeral In Liverpool
Our loved ones passing away is a particularly difficult and emotional time, so it goes without saying that we’re not always at our best to be making funeral arrangements too. Arranging a funeral has many parts to it which could easily overwhelm us, so even though funeral flowers are where we usually help, we wanted to put together a mini Organising A Funeral Checklist to guide you through your next steps and preserve some of your precious energy.
The reason we’ve mentioned Arranging A Funeral In Liverpool is that there are different laws and processes applicable to Scotland, Wales and the UK so we’re only covering what you’d need to consider when organising a funeral in the UK.
Having a basic understanding of what problems may arise, and being prepared in advance will really help to lessen the stress of arranging a funeral whilst mourning your loss too so we really hope this article helps.
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Who Arranges A Funeral?
The people usually responsible for organising funerals are the nearest family members or the closest friends. If there is no Next of Kin or no known family or friends being available, the local council or authorities will arrange for a simple funeral, with the costs being taken from the deceased person’s estate.
We are all bombarded with highly targeted advertisements nowadays so many people once they reach a certain age will have been advised to contemplate the type of funeral or burial they would like to have. They can choose the details of their funeral or cremation and leave instructions for this for the family to fulfil after their passing. There isn’t any legal obligation to follow the instructions but most people will choose to honour the funeral wishes already specified.
How Do I Arrange A Funeral?
Most of the logistics of the funeral will be handled by a Funeral Director. You’ll need to choose a Funeral Director you feel comfortable entrusting your funeral arrangements to and we’d recommend finding one who is registered with a professional association. Funeral Directors are not regulated by the government and they are not legally bound to be part of a trade body, but for your peace of mind, we’d suggest you check to see if they are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors - NAFD or the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors – SAIF.
This will ensure they have approved codes of practice in place as well as clear complaint procedures should everything not go according to plan. You may wish to check with Liverpool’s local authorities too as some councils run their own funeral services in conjunction with local funeral directors.
Do I Have To Use A Funeral Director When Organising A Funeral?
It isn’t a requirement that you use the services of a funeral director at all but many people choose this option. You may prefer to arrange a funeral yourself though - maybe the person you’re arranging the funeral for had a love for nature and would prefer a natural burial ground or has spiritual affinities you’d like to honour. You can get in touch with a Natural Death Centre in your area for more information around this, or get in touch with the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department at any local authority and they will provide guidance on what you will need to do.
Who Pays For Funeral Costs?
Some people pay for their funerals before they pass away via a Funeral Plan. It’s not exactly a topic that most people talk about so it may not be known whether there is a funeral plan in place. Some useful places to check are…
- Is there a will in place that you can refer to?
- Are there any close friends and relatives of the deceased you can ask?
- Check with local funeral directors whether they’re aware of arrangements in place
- Check the Funeral Planning Authority’s website to see if a funeral plan is registered with them
If there is a will, there will usually be an executor handling the estate. An executor is someone who has been assigned to deal with the wishes from the will - usually by the deceased person before they passed away, or sometimes by a court. In the absence of a funeral plan or an executor handling the estate, the funeral costs may need to be paid by next of kin, family or friends.
If you are going to be responsible for the funeral costs and you are on benefits, you may be eligible for help paying for the funeral costs via a Funeral Expenses Payment - you can check whether you qualify for help with Funeral Expenses by clicking here.
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Which Parts Of A Funeral Do Funeral Directors Organise?
Funeral Directors operate as individual businesses, which means that services may differ from firm to firm but the basic funeral services usually included are:
- Looking after the person who has died up until the funeral, including washing and dressing them and laying their body out.
- Transporting the person who has died to the funeral director's premises from wherever the death occurred (there is usually a mileage limit to this)
- Providing a simple, lined coffin
- Providing people to carry the coffin at the funeral
- Providing the hearse for transporting the body to the nearest burial ground or crematorium
- Handling all other required arrangements such as acquiring the necessary forms
Those are the basic needs for any funeral, but funeral directors will offer an array of services in addition to those too. These will attract additional fees but all funeral directors will usually display their funeral costs on their website or provide them upon request.
Make sure you’ve asked what is included and what will incur additional fees when making your funeral arrangements with them so that you can work out exactly what you’ll need to pay.
You can arrange for the following additional services to be provided by the funeral director or organise them yourself, but the additional funeral services often offered by funeral directors include…
- Upgrading the coffin options and fittings
- Embalming the body
- Offering special viewing arrangements or use of their Chapel of Rest
- Offering transport from the mortuary
- A fee to cover longer journeys to the funeral director's premises
- Providing the required medical certificate for cremation including doctor's fees for signing it
- An additional crematorium fee or burial fee which usually includes the costs of preparing the grave
- Preparing and organising press notices
- Additional fees for religious services
- Providing a memorial
- Providing an organist
- Providing extra cars
- Providing catering arrangements
- Organising funeral flowers
Will I Be Given The Funeral Costs In Writing?
There are so many options when organising a funeral that you’ll want to put it all down in writing. The funeral director should offer you a written estimate of the costs attached to your funeral choices so that you can see everything broken down. If they don’t offer this to you it would be prudent to ask for one.
This will help in two ways. One is to see the full breakdown of costs and what you’ve selected so there’s no confusion or broken communication, and the other is so that you have written confirmation of what was requested in the unfortunate event of a complaint.
The written estimates can also be used for comparisons if you are trying to choose between multiple funeral directors - seeing it all laid out in front of you makes the direct comparisons much easier.
Do Funeral Directors Require A Contract To Be Signed?
Most reputable funeral directors will ask that you sign a contract so don’t be alarmed if this is asked of you. Take it away if you need to and process it in your own time making sure you read it carefully and question anything you’re not sure about before signing it.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask for amendments or clarifications - the funeral directors understand that this is a very emotional time for people arranging funerals and will usually be happy to explain everything to you for your peace of mind. Just a gentle word of warning - if you don’t feel fully comfortable with the funeral director you’re dealing with, call some other funeral directors too.
Most funeral directors are extremely compassionate and helpful and completely respectful of how emotional your situation is. They should allow you to take your time to make decisions, listen to your requests or concerns, and help you with any confusion you have. We’re not expected to know how to arrange funerals so if you are feeling rushed or not heard by the funeral director you’re dealing with, take a look at other funeral directors who you feel more comfortable dealing with. You need to feel like you trust the company dealing with such an important task for your loved ones final goodbyes.
How Are Funerals Paid For?
This is an important conversation to have with your chosen funeral director as funeral plans, compensation or legalities can sometimes delay money being paid out as expected. Many funeral directors will request that a deposit is paid before making the funeral arrangements so it may be worthwhile checking this in the first instance.
Because money can sometimes be released by insurance companies or funeral policies much later than the funeral, it’s common practice for funeral directors to offer discounts for early or prompt payments. If you are able to pay for the funeral before it takes place or soon afterwards, this is worth taking into account if you know a policy will reimburse you once the funds are released.
Legal processes such as dealing with the person’s estate or negligence claims surrounding the death of the person can cause delays too, so many funeral directors will offer payment instalments to stagger the costs while you wait for the legalities to be finalised.
How Stems From Heaven Can Help With Your Funeral Arrangements
As you can see, there can be a lot to consider when arranging a funeral and we completely understand how this is a time when you may not be at your best. We pride ourselves on how helpful our precious customers have said we are when we’ve helped them to organise their funeral flowers.
With just a few questions we can easily select the most fitting floral tributes to make the passing of your loved one a truly memorable time. There are so many beautiful options but the last thing we want to do is overwhelm you further so just a few questions from us and we can take care of all of the funeral flowers for you.
Our vast range of stunning artificial memorial flowers will add colour and character to your funeral arrangements - from coffin sprays or grave flowers to angel wings or football shirts, your floral funeral tributes will be provided easily and with utmost care and sensitivity.
Why not get in touch via our website or call and we can happily help or you can even pop into our shop for a cuppa and a chat in person to make sure the flowers you’re choosing are exactly what your loved ones would have chosen?
Questions To Think About When Organising A Funeral In Liverpool
Here are the main things to consider when arranging a funeral. You won’t be able to answer all of these at the same time as they will need to be handled one by one so don’t worry if you still have lots to do - these are just here to help you with some of the aspects to think about.
- 1. Are you responsible for organising the funeral?
- 2. Were there any funeral requests or plans made by the person who has passed away?
- 3. Do you wish to use a Funeral Director? If so, are they registered with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)?
- 4. Would you prefer to make the funeral arrangements yourself?
- 5. Is there a Funeral Plan in place?
- 6. Is there an Executor dealing with the estate and/or will?
- 7. Do you know what’s included in the funeral director's fees?
- 8. Do you want to use the funeral director for the additional services?
- 9. Have you had a written breakdown of costs from the funeral director?
- 10. Do you know how and when the funeral director is expecting to be paid?
- 11. Do you need any help with arranging the funeral flowers?
