WHEN SOMEONE DIES

YOUR FUNERAL DIRECTOR

You can contact your funeral director as early as step one. If you haven’t, now is the time.
If not already in their care, the funeral director will arrange to collect from the hospital or current place of rest and bring them into their care.

The funeral director is there to advise, guide and assist as much or as little as you require.

*Explore your options – You do have choices.

Things to consider:

• The Location of funeral – crematorium, burial ground or a venue of your choice: It is not obligatory to hold a funeral ceremony in a crematorium
• Time & Date: Take the time you need to arrange the funeral you want to give.
• Logistics & transport. Arranging a funeral is emotionally stressful. Try to make the practicalities and logistics as easy on yourself as possible.

PAPERWORK

For Cremation:
There are usually 2 forms (‘the applicant’) will be legally required to sign

1. The Cremation Form 1- This is always required
2. Particulars for the Crematorium. Sometimes called a Pre-Lim or Notice of Cremation - This is usually required.

For Burial:

• Burial grounds will have their own paper work for application to purchase the grave and right to burial or Interment
• The Green Form, or the Cremation Form 6 (issued by the coroner) is strictly required by the Crematoria or Burial Ground for the funeral to take place. The Funeral Director will ensure they have all the correct paperwork for plans to run smoothly.

Step 4. ARRANGING THE FUNERAL

You may wish to take this on yourselves. Thereafter are Ceremony Led Funeral Directors who are happy to guide and advise you through the process giving you the support and flexibility to create the funeral your way.

You may prefer to engage a minister or Celebrant to assist and guide you through and to lead in the ceremony itself.

Things to consider –

• How & Where you want the funeral to be.
• How to honour, respect and reflect the person whos’ funeral you are arranging
• Music
• Spoken tributes
• Rituals to engage with

* If the funeral ceremony is taking place in a crematorium, many funeral directors will tell you that you can have 3 pieces of music.

NB: You can have as much music that you like as long as it fits within the time frame you have booked.

TAKE THE TIME YOU NEED

There is no need to rush. It’s a fine balance of having the time to organise the funeral in a way that’s right for you, but don’t leave it too long so you find yourself in the limbo of immediate grief as you wait for the funeral.