What to expect during the arrangements interview

We will discuss all your wishes for the funeral, and will cover the following:

 

• The right funeral service - In conversation with you we will create the type of funeral that is right for your loved one including music, hymns, special readings, live web casting or recording (where available) and - most importantly - who is to be asked to officiate at the ceremony.
   

• Agree a date - Liaise with various parties to arrive at a firm funeral date, for instance the Crematorium or Cemetery, the Minister or Celebrant, organist and (for burial), the gravedigger.
   

• Transport - There will be a discussion of your requirements for transport on the day.
   

• Floral Tributes - Flowers are a very traditional way of expressing what are often very personal and individual feelings. We are happy to assist you in the choice of flowers and have an illustrated brochure to help you make your selection and use a local long established florist. As part of our service after the funeral, we can remove all the floral cards returning them to you for safe keeping if required. We can also arrange for floral tributes to be taken to a local place of your choice where they can be appreciated by others.
   

• Donations - Sometimes people feel that flowers are not appropriate and ask for donations to a specific charity instead. We can administrate all charitable donations and gift aid through our offices or via the online tribute page. We allow time for the donations to be sent to us, they then are forwarded to the chosen charity. After this we will forward a letter to you confirming the total amount raised through our office and a list of donors.
   

• Funeral Stationery - We are able to design and produce personalised printed orders of service and other funeral printing requirements. We can include the words to hymns and songs, poems and biblical readings and reproduce images such as old or recent photographs and drawings. We can also offer complimentary printed pew cards, if these are required.
   

• Announcements - We are happy to advise on wording for newspaper announcements and will be able to place the announcement in the newspaper of your choice.
   

• Chapel of Rest Arrangements - Your wishes regarding visiting the chapel of Rest will be discussed, along with clothing and any items to be placed in the coffin.
   

• Choosing a Coffin – We will discuss the type of coffin to be provided with you.
   

• Funeral Costs - The interview would include our detailed advice on the cost of the funeral with the production of an itemised estimate and a confirmation of the arrangements to follow in writing.
   

• Completion of Relevant Legal Documents – The Crematorium or Cemetery will require your signature on various forms and we will assist to make this task as quick and as simple as possible. We can also give advice on registration of the death and other legal matters relating directly to the funeral.
   

• Additional meetings if needed - Sometimes it becomes apparent that an additional meeting is needed, which we are happy to arrange at your convenience.
   

• Review - We conclude with a review of the choices you have made, a reminder of any information/decisions still needed and an outline of what will happen on the day.