Frequently Asked Questions
We have added the answers to our most frequently asked questions below. Please contact us if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for.
General
What should I look for in a Funeral Director?
You should always read their reviews. Anyone who cannot show patience, sensitivity and understanding should be avoided. A reputable funeral director will generally have positive reviews and build an empathetic rapport with you upon first contact.
The vast majority of funeral directors are not actually qualified as funeral directing is not a regulated industry in the UK. At NC Funeral Directors we are fully qualified funeral directors.
What is the role of the Funeral Director?
The funeral director’s role is to provide care of the deceased, offer guidance and support to the family, make arrangements for the funeral service, and offer specialist advice. A professional funeral director will aid you at this difficult time by taking on the practical aspects of arranging a funeral.
Finance
What is the average cost of a funeral service?
Below are details of our current fixed prices, please refer to the services pages for more information.
Direct Cremation – £995
Simple Cremation – £1699
Traditional Cremation – £2395
Traditional Burial – £2395
Horses hearse funeral – £3395
Pre Planned Funerals – (Starting from) £1695
Additional costs needed for some services. Cremation only – Medical Certificate £82, Funeral Celebrant/Officiant £199
What does the Funeral Director’s Professional Service fee cover?
- Supervising your agreed arrangements before, during and after the service
- Being present on the day to oversee the occasion and direct all attendees
- Discuss your individual requirements and take instructions either at the funeral premises or your home
- Reposing your loved one into care efficiently and punctually
- Mortuary facilities for the deceased to rest in which are modern and climate controlled
- Offering chapel of rest facilities so you can visit the deceased prior to the funeral
- Completion of all necessary legal documentation and payment of external funeral costs required for the funeral to legally proceed
- Providing adequate pallbearers to carry the coffin
- Provision of funeral vehicles and any necessary personnel
- To ensure any additional extras such as funeral wreaths, music and funeral service stationery are coordinated correctly
What is a pre-planned funeral?
What are the benefits of pre-planning a funeral?
- Easing the burden on your family.
- You would like to assume the financial responsibility for your funeral.
- The guarantee that your final wishes will be followed.
- The desire to be self-reliant and have your affairs in order at the end of your life.
What is a pre-paid funeral?
What are the benefits of pre-paying for a funeral?
What is funeral insurance?
About the Funeral
What is a funeral?
A funeral is a ceremony associated with the last disposition of a deceased person, beit a cremation or burial, where family, friends and other acquaintances pay their final respects to the deceased.
Why is it important to have a funeral?
What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Whether it is the weekend or at night, if someone dies at home, the first thing to do is to call their GP, or the NHS helpline 111. A doctor will then come to your house to assist you. You will then need to contact the funeral director on 01253 420450 or 01772 876 878 to arrange for us to come and collect your loved one.
What happens if the death occurs away from my hometown?
If someone dies away from home, the funeral director will coordinate transportation with a local funeral home in the town where the person died. Should you not be able to contact a funeral home in the area where the person resided, a funeral home in the town where the person died will make the necessary arrangements.
We can arrange to collect your loved one from anywhere in the UK and bring them back home.
Who should I notify about the death?
- Friends and family
- Employer
- Funeral director
- Landlord/Mortgage provider
- Financial organisations: banks and building societies, credit cards, insurance, accountants
- Pension providers
- Home care
- Health professionals
- Solicitor
- Utilities: TV, water, electricity, gas and broadband
When will the deceased be transferred to the funeral home?
The answer to this question depends on the circumstance and location of the death. If the person has died at home and there are no suspicious circumstances. The funeral director will be able to attend 24 hours a day to collect your loved one once the death has ben certified by a nurse or duty doctor. If person has passed away in hospital then the hospital will allow the funeral director to collect the person once the death has ben registered. Finally if the coroner has been involved in the death then once the coroner has finished their investigation, they will send release paperwork to the funeral director allowing the person to be collected. In any case it is best to speak to the funeral direct as soon as practically possible as we will be able to assist you through the process.
How long do I have before registering the death?
- Within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Within 8 days in Scotland
What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service?
A memorial service occurs when the body is not present and has these main features: gathering of attendees, the service itself and reception. In contrast, a funeral service contains much of the same structure although the deceased’s body is present at the service and there will the opportunity to say goodbye before burial or cremation takes place.
What type of service should I have?
Can I personalise a funeral?
Yes. Some people choose to leave photos, write their own eulogy or decorate the coffin appropriately (Flag/ribbons). Personalisation is important and we will accommodate any of your requests.
Do I have to have a religious ceremony?
Is there any other mode of transportation apart from the hearse?
There are hearse alternatives available but it is best to ask your funeral director about their suitability for the chosen route. Different cars, horse and cart or other personalised choices can be accommodated.
How long is a funeral service?
This varies depending on the type of service. A religious service will take longer but most standard funerals are between 45-60 minutes for the service allowing time either side for attendees to enter and exit the premises.
Cremation
What is cremation?
Is a wooden coffin or casket required?
Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Are special cremation urns and momentos available?
Embalming
What is embalming?
Embalming is a process where a persons body is preserved using embalming chemicals, the aim of embalming is to delay the natural process of decay and to restore a life like appearance. We always recommended to have a person embalmed if you intend to view as it often improves how a person looks, affording the deceased more dignity and gives greater flexibility on visiting them in the funeral home. We charge £100 for embalming.
Why embalm?
Embalming chemicals contain pigments that enhance the appearance of the deceased by returning colour to their face and hands. When a person dies they naturally look a paler colour and will have sunken features, this can be upsetting to family and friends who visit them. The act of embalming aims to restore a person natural colour as well as making their features appear more life like. Its important to remember people can look a little different to when they where alive whether or not they have been embalmed.