FUNERALS
Funeral Choices
What music can you choose?
Many traditional hymns are comfortingly familiar but they are essentially
religious and this may not always be appropriate. You may wish to select
some pieces of music which were personal favourites of the deceased.
What readings can you choose?
Readings of prose and poetry at a funeral ceremony can be an effective
way to make the ceremony personal to the deceased and the bereaved
family.
Keep in mind whether the service is trying to convey a sense of the
celebration of life, a thanksgiving for a life or to reflect the pain and grief
of loss. Family and friends may feel that this is a contribution they can
make. If a family member or friend is reading, it is worth checking that
the reader is able to cope with what will, inevitably, be an emotional
moment.
Words and books are often a great source of comfort and strength
following a bereavement and the library can help you in many ways:
•to find suitable poems or readings for the memorial service
• roviding practical contact details for organisations and sources of
p
advice
• ooks that may help you understand grief and loss
b
• eading material of all kinds that will help to keep you well
r
• calm place to be.
a
Please call in at any library or phone 01865 815409 to find out how we
may be able to support you.
You can also visit us online: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries
Your Funeral
Director
What is the role of the
funeral director?
The majority of people choose
to use a professional funeral
director. This can help at
what is generally a stressful
time, and will ensure that the
remains of the person who
has died are dealt with in a
dignified way. Your funeral
director can advise you about
the options available to you.
Choosing a funeral director
Friends, family, clergy
or your doctor may be
able to recommend local
funeral directors. Most local
companies are also listed in
this publication.
Most funeral directors are
members of one of two trade
associations:
• ational Association of
N
Funeral Directors (NAFD)
• ociety of Allied and
S
Independent Funeral
Directors (SAIF)
Member firms must provide
you with a price list on
request and cannot exceed
any written estimate they give
you without your permission.
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ADVICE AND HELPLINE: 0845 129 5900