What do funeral directors have to do?

Funeral Directors are responsible for making the funeral arrangements, supporting the family and providing the funeral service on the day of the funeral. They will usually have the initial contact right through to after the funeral service. They will liaise with all third parties, arrange the funeral venue, celebrant/clergy to take the service, create the orders of service, arrange the flowers, donations, transportation, coffin choice and family support.

What is the difference between funeral director and mortician?

A Funeral Director is responsible for organising the funeral arrangements and liaising with family but may also be a mortician.

A Mortician specifically prepares the deceased for the funeral.This may include embalming, dressing and casketing them.

What is another name for funeral director?

Funeral Directors are often referred to as "undertakers".

What is and isn’t included in your costs

The funeral costs consist of funeral directors fees and disbursements (often referred to as third party fees).

Funeral Directors Fees include;

Professional Fees

Collecting & transporting the deceased from place of death

Care of the deceased

Embalming Services

Viewing of the deceased

Transportation Services to include Hearse/Limousines

Coffin choices

Orders of service

Disbursements

Crematorium / Burial Fees

Burial Preparation Fees

Gravemarker

Flowers

Streaming services

Clergy Fees

Verger Fees

Church Fees

What services do you provide?

Saints Funeral Services provide many services to include the above. We also have our own chapel which holds approx 50 persons and is available for funeral services. We have on site wake facilities too. If you would like the service and wake at one location overlooking the beach then we are for you. Basically we can do anything possible and tailor the funeral to your wishes no matter what they be.

Can we chose a burial or cremation funeral?

The choice of whether you have a burial or cremation is a personal one. If you choose burial then you need to decide on a suitable cemetery. If you choose cremation, although there are various crematoriums, the most conveniently located is Treswithian Downs Crematorium.

Would you come to our home to discuss the arrangements?

We most certainly can come to your home to discuss the funeral arrangements and this is entirely your decision. If you would prefer to come to our chapel this too can be an option. 

Where will the deceased be kept until the day of the funeral?

The deceased will be at our on site chapel of rest and mortuary area which is located in the central section of Barnoon Chapel, St Ives, Cornwall.

Can the funeral be personalised?

We have very much moved away from services having to be conducted a certain way. A funeral is all about the family and the deceased and personalising it to your needs. A funeral should be personalised and every funeral is bespoke to your wishes.

Do you liaise with third parties and take care of the paperwork?

Funeral Directors should be taking care of all the arrangements to include liaising and paying for all third party fees on behalf of the family. They also organise, complete and process all of the paperwork needed for the funeral to go ahead.

Can we chose the day and time of the funeral?

Unless it is a "direct cremation" then families can chose the day and time of the funeral which is obviously dependant on availability

What funeral transport do you provide?

We provide all sorts of funeral transport and there is much more diverse choice than there ever has been. We can provide a VW Splitscreen hearse or traditional black hearse. Alternatively there is a horse and carriage, classic vehicles or even tractors and motorcycle and side cars.

What questions does a funeral director ask?

Funeral Directors are there to assist you through the process of a loved ones passing. They will ask lots of questions, relating to the order of service content, who you would like to take the service? That could be a Reverend if a religious service is required or a celebrant which tends to be more of a celebration of life.

How do you prepare for a funeral home interview?

You do not need to prepare. Getting with your funeral director is relatively straight forward. It is often a casual conversation which takes place at home discussing all of your funeral requirements.

Who is responsible for funeral costs?

Funeral costs are the responsibility of the next of kin or person willing to take responsibility for the payment of the funeral. That said, if you cannot afford to pay for the funeral the Social Fund can assist with the funeral costs. If no one is willing to take responsibility for the costs then the local council will take responsibility but you will not be given the cremated remains.

Funeral services

What is the usual order of service for a funeral?

The usual order of service content is similar to:

Music on Entry

Welcome & Introduction

Reading

Eulogy

Reflection Music

Poem

Hymn

Closing words

Committal

Music on Leaving

What is the cheapest option for a funeral?

The cheapest option for a funeral is often referred to as a direct cremation. This is a funeral where no family attends and the cremation takes place without a funeral service.

What happens at the funeral service?

The funeral service is often a celebration of someones life, depending on the circumstances of the loss. It traditionally involves the transportation of the deceased person to eh place of worship, crematorium or venue. The family often follow them into the venue/chapel before being seated. The service will then take place before the family & guests then leaving. They will then often attend a wake after the service.

Who pays for your funeral?

The next of kin often pays for the funeral costs or it will come out of the deceased estate.

What happens if nobody pays for a funeral?

If nobody pays for a funeral then the local council will step in and pay for the costs for the funeral. The council will then retrieve the costs through the estate if this is an option. If this happens then the cremated remains will not be available for the family or next of kin.

How can I have a funeral with no money?

If you have no money then the local County Council will conduct the funeral but it will be very basic and you are not entitled to the cremated remains

Can family refuse to pay for funeral?

Family can refuse to pay for the funeral which will result in the County Council taking on the responsibility. Obviously if a funeral director has conducted the funeral and the family then refuse to pay for the funeral then it will become a civil issue resulting in likely court action to retrieve costs

How much money do you give at a funeral?

It is commonplace to have donations to be collected from those in attendance but the choice of the charitable donations is one made by the family.

Who qualifies for funeral grant?

Funeral grants are means tested and led by the Social Fund. They will work out the costs involved and how much the family is entitled to. In order to qualify for a grant you have to be in receipt of benefits.

How much is the cheapest cremation?

The cheapest cremation is what is known as a direct cremation although no one is allowed to attend. This often starts at around £1k. This is the most economical option and enables you to receive the cremated remains. You can then always have a wake or memorial service at a later date which works out the most cost effective option.

Is a prepaid funeral a good idea?

This is a great idea and enables you to fix the funeral directors fees in at todays costs. You can make an allowance towards disbursements and any shortfall can be met at the time of need depending on the amount you wish to make an allowance for.

What is critical is that you use a reputable funeral plan provider although new government regulations have helped to ensure that the profession is regulated and your money is safe. Should anything happen to the funeral director or the funeral plan company then at least your money is safe. Independent funeral directors are often to create a bespoke funeral plan designed exactly for your needs. This means you generally just pay for what you want rather than the plan being categorised into set plans.

Who legally has to pay for a funeral?

The simple answer is the Deceased. The payment will usually come from the deceased estate or a pre paid funeral plan.

What is the cheapest funeral plan?

The cheapest funeral plan available is a direct cremation. This will ensure that you requirements are met and a non attendance funeral will take place.

How do you arrange a funeral service?

Take your time and utilise friends and family around you.

Firstly you need to make a decision on whether it will be a burial or cremation. Once this is finalised there is the question over where you would like the service to take place and the date. Often the date is dictated to by who you would like to attend the service.

You will then need to arrange the funeral transport and decide whether you wish to travel in a limousine or make your own way to the service. Also do you wish to follow the hearse or meet at the venue, and then there is the decision of what hearse you would require. Traditional hearse or something different like a VW split screen hearse or motorcycle and side car.

One of the most time consuming things is to organise the order of service. This may include music choices, poems, readings, the eulogy and hymns.

Next would you like to collect donations in aid of a charity and would you like flowers.

What does a funeral service involve?

A Funeral service involves many aspects which is most commonly organised by a funeral director. A funeral service involves organising the coffin, transportation, hearse, taking of attendee names, flowers, donations, celebrant or clergy, orders of service, music and service content

Can you use a deceased person’s bank account to pay for their funeral?

The bank need to be notified of someones passing but the bank will organise the payment of funeral expenses.

How much money do you give at a funeral?

This is totally down to personal choice and feel free to donate whatever amount you feel appropriate or within your means.

What happens if nobody pays for a funeral?

If nobody pays for a funeral then it becomes the responsibility of the Local Authority. The local authority will then look to recover the costs through the deceased persons estate. This option does not allow for the keeping of cremated remains.

Do family members give money at a funeral?

Family members often donate to a charity which is chosen but there is no right or wrong. In terms of the funding of the funeral this is also down to the individuals choices should they wish to contribute towards the costs of the funeral

Can you have a free funeral?

Unfortunately a funeral is not free. In some circumstances if there are no family members or the deceased has no money then the Local Authority will foot the bill.

Who is the next of kin when someone dies without a will?

The next of kin is a spouse or civil partner but no children (or grandchildren): your spouse or civil partner gets the entire estate. A spouse or civil partner and children: your spouse/civil partner gets two-thirds of your estate and the remaining one-third is divided equally among your children

What is typically the most expensive part of a funeral?

The coffin can often be the single most expensive thing.

How can I avoid high funeral costs?

A funeral does not need to be expensive. You can have anything from a direct cremation to a full funeral service and the budget is entirely dependant on your wishes.

Are funeral plans worth buying?

Funeral plans are a great way of fixing funeral costs at todays rates as well as providing reassurance and comfort to individuals not wishing to cause worry and stress to family members at such a difficult time.