Funerals
Organising alternative burials
Choosing your funeral director
The following factors will help in your choice of funeral director :
• location of the firm ’ s premises
• do they belong to a trade association ?
• what is the range of services provided ?
• what are the costs ?
• do they come recommended by those who have used the service ?
• how are you treated by the staff ?
• are they a large or small firm , a family business or company ?
Most funeral directors will provide the following services as a minimum :
• take control of all necessary arrangements
• provide appropriate staff
• provide a suitable coffin
• transfer the deceased from the place of death to the funeral director ’ s premises
• care for the deceased prior to the funeral
• provide a hearse to the nearest cemetery or crematorium
• arrange for burial or cremation as appropriate .
You can consider different types of funerals as an alternative to traditional services and cremations . One popular alternative to traditional burials and cremations is a ceremony in woodland or nature reserve burial grounds .
At woodland burial grounds relatives may be able to plant a tree to mark the site either on , or near , the grave . At nature reserve burial grounds , which can be wildflower meadows or pastures , graves are either unmarked or may be marked by a small wooden plaque that will rot away naturally and bulbs and flowers can be planted .
You will need a death certificate and a certificate for burial from the Registrar of deaths . Remember that , if you are planning a private burial , which includes those not in a churchyard or cemetery , you must first register your intention to do so .
If you are planning an interment on private land then a number of local authority permissions will need to be granted . Even if you own the land concerned , you must check the deeds to ensure there are no restrictions on what the property may be used for . It is important to consult the local district and environmental health department who will want to ensure that the local water table will not be affected .
A record of the burial should be made and kept with the deeds or other relevant documents relating to the land .
Funeral Plans
If a loved one passes away and you think they might have purchased a pre-paid funeral plan , you should contact the company directly .
However , if you cannot find any of the information or paperwork , the Funeral Planning Authority ( FPA ) may be able to help . The FPA regulates providers of prepaid funeral plans in the UK . Unfortunately there is no central database of all funeral plans so this means that the FPA cannot search directly for a missing plan on your behalf . However , their online website form allows you to ask their registered providers whether they have a funeral plan in place for your relative or loved one .
www . funeralplanningauthority . co . uk / contact-us
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