A Guide for the Bereaved

Arranging a funeral is a rare event in most peoples lives, indeed many reading this guide will be arranging a funeral for the first time. The task can be both daunting and worrying at a time of great personal grief. You may have many questions and perhaps have heard certain misconceptions about funerals; this guide is designed to try and answer those questions and to dispel the many myths surrounding funerals.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, do not feel rushed into making decisions, you may regret them later. The only time constraint is registration of the death within five days unless there are circumstances which make this impossible.

Use the time prior to registration of the death to contact Funeral Directors. Telephone, or better still visit a number of Funeral Directors or if possible get a relative or friend to do this for you or go along with you. You are about to entrust a relative stranger with the care of a loved one, responsibility for the funeral and make a large financial commitment; do not make this decision in haste.

WHAT MUST I DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES?

This depends on where the person has died.  In all cases a qualified person must certify that death has occured.

If the person has died at home contact their GP or the Ambulance Service as appropriate. Once the Doctor or Paramedic has certified death you can, if you wish, contact the Funeral Directors and arrange for the person to be transferred to their premises. It is not necessary for the person to be taken immediately to the Funeral Directors, indeed in many areas it is the custom that the deceased remains at home for a few hours, or perhaps overnight, for friends and relatives to visit and pay their last respects. If you wish to keep the deceased at home make sure they are lying on their back with the head raised slightly. The body and the room should be kept as cool as possible; a single sheet covering is sufficient.

If a Paramedic has certified death they will issue a 'Confirmation of Death' which should be taken to the deceased's Doctor as soon as possible.

If the Doctor can certify the cause of death he or she will issue a Medical Certificate showing the cause of death and a Formal Notice stating that they have signed the Medical Certificate.

If the death has occurred in a care home the staff of the home will contact the GP or duty doctor on your behalf. They will inform you of the whereabouts of the Medical Certificate and the Formal Notice. Most care homes do not have the facilities to keep the deceased on their premises for any length of time. The home may have a record on file of your chosen Funeral Director and have contacted them on your behalf. If not they may contact their local Funeral Director and arrange for the deceased to be taken there. You are not obliged to use the Funeral Director who removed the deceased. If you decide to use another Funeral Director they will arrange for the transfer of the deceased.

If the person has died in hospital the staff will arrange the issue of the Medical Certificate and the Formal Notice. These are normally collected from the Hospital Certificate Office; you will be advised by the Hospital of the time these will be available.

The deceased is then transfered to the Hospital mortuary to await collection by the Funeral Director. If you wish to see the person in the Hospital chapel of rest contact the ward and they will arrange this for you.

WHY DOES THE CORONER INVESTIGATE CERTAIN DEATHS?

In certain circumstances, such as sudden death, the doctor must notify the Coroner. This should not cause undue concern or alarm, sometimes the Coroner is able to establish the cause of death by making simple enquiries.

The Coroner is responsible for investigating deaths where:-

the deceased was not seen by a doctor during their last illness or the doctor treating the deceased had not seen the patient either after death or within 14 days prior to death.

• death was caused by violence or in suspicious circumstances.
• the cause of death is unknown or uncertain.
• death occurred while undergoing an operation or the patient did not recover from anaesthetic.
• death was caused by an industrial disease.
• death occurred while in police custody or in prison.

The Coroner may arrange for a post-mortem examination to be carried out. The relatives' consent is not needed but they may be represented at the post-mortem by a Doctor.

If the post-mortem shows that death was due to natural causes the Coroner will release the deceased for the funeral to take place. The Form 100 (the pink form) is sent to the Registrar so that the death can be registered.

WHEN IS AN INQUEST HELD AND WILL THIS DELAY THE FUNERAL?

The Coroner will hold an inquest if death was caused by violence or the death was unnatural, death occurred in prison, death occurred through an industrial injury or the cause of death remains uncertain.

If the Coroners enquiries are likely to take some time the Coroner may open and adjourn the Inquest but issue the documentation for the funeral to take place. This will either be an Order for Burial (form 101) or a Certificate for Cremation (form E).

HOW DO I REGISTER THE DEATH?

The death must be registered by the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the sub-district in which death occured even if the deceased resided in a different area. The information to register the death may be given at any Registrar in England and Wales and then forwarded to the Registrar of the appropriate sub-district.

If the death has not been refered to the Coroner you must register the death within five days; if there are circumstances which prevent this you must contact the Registrar.

When you register the death you should take:-

• the Medical Certificate
• the deceased's medical card if available
• the deceased's birth and marriage certificates if they are available

The Registrar will need to know:-

• the date and place of death
• the deceased's last address
• the deceased's full forenames, surname and maiden name if appropriate
• the deceased's date and place of birth
• the deceased's occupation
• details of any pension or benefits which the deceased was receiving

and if the deceased is married:-

• the deceased's spouses name and occupation
• the date of birth of the surviving spouse

The Registrar will give you a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the Green Form), a Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8) for Social Security purposes and any additional leaflets that are appropriate such as widows or widower benefits.

Copies of the Death Certificate are available but you will have to pay a fee. You may need additional copies the Death Certificate to send to insurance companies, pension companies, the bank and so on. Additional copies are available, again at a fee. If you need additional copies request these at the time of registration. Copies are available later if you require them but if the file has left the Registrar's offices the cost is greater.

WE WISH TO SEND THE DECEASED OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHAT MUST WE DO?

If the burial or cremation is to take place outside England and Wales the Coroner must be notified. You should inform the Registrar of your intentions and the Registrar will notify the Coroner. You will then need to attend the Coroners office to apply for an 'Out of England' certificate. When applying for this certificate you must take your own passport together with the deceased's passport if they have one.

The Funeral Directors will also need a certified copy of the Death Certificate (an original copy not a photocopy) as well as the 'Out of England' Order.

REGISTERING THE DEATH OF A STILLBORN CHILD?

If the baby was born after the 24th week of pregnancy the Registrar will need The Medical Certificate of Stillbirth signed by the doctor or midwife. If a doctor or midwife was not present at the birth or has not examined the body you must sign Form 35 which the Registrar will give to you.

The Registrar will issue a Certificate for Burial or Cremation and a Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth.

WHEN DO I CONTACT THE FUNERAL DIRECTORS?

You can contact the Funeral Directors prior to registration of death or, if the death has been referred to the Coroner, before the documentation is issued by the Coroner. The Funeral Directors will be able to provide initial help and guidance and liase with the Coroner's Officer regarding the timing of the funeral.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION DOES THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR NEED?

The Funeral Director will need either the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the Green Form) or the Coroners Order for Burial (form 101) or the Coroners Certificate for Cremation (form E).

The Coroners Order for Burial or the Certificate for Cremation is often collected by the Funeral Directors from the Coroners Office.

If you have a copy of the Death Certificate it is useful, thought not essential, to show this to the Funeral Directors. The Funeral Directors do not need to retain a copy of the Death Certificate.

WHAT DOES THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR DO?

The Funeral Director is there to help and guide you through the choice of funerals and make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.

The Funeral Director will:-

• Discuss with you your requirements for the funeral
• Arrange the removal of the deceased to their premises
• Liase with the Church, Cemetery or Crematorium and arrange the appropriate timing of the service
• Contact the local Clergy and arrange a Minister to conduct the service
• Arrange the purchase of a new grave, or in the case of an existing grave, arrange for any memorials to be removed and the grave reopened
• Complete all the necessary documentation and ensure this is delivered to the appropriate authorities
• Provide advice on the choice of suitable music and hymns
• Place obituary notices in the local press
• Arrange the printing of service sheets and attendance cards
• Administer charitable donations
• Arrange for the scattering or burial of cremated remains

The payments for necessary fees such as Doctors, Ministers, Cemetery and Crematorium etc. will be made by the Funeral Director on your behalf.

If you do not want to attend the Funeral Directors offices many Funeral Directors will visit you at home either during the day or evening. Most Funeral Directors do not charge for home visits but some do charge an additional fee.

WHAT IS A 'BASIC' FUNERAL?

In accordance with guidelines set down by The Office of Fair Trading all Funeral Directors should provide a 'basic'funeral. This should include:-

• Removal of the deceased from the local area during normal working hours
• Care of the deceased prior to the funeral
• Attending to all necessary arrangements
• A coffin suitable for burial or cremation
• Provision of a hearse to the cemetery or crematorium
• All necessary staff

The 'basic' funeral generally excludes embalming or viewing of the deceased and does not include any fees or disbursements paid out on your behalf.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A FUNERAL?

The cost of funerals fall into two parts, the charges made by the Funeral Director for their services and the disbursements. Disbursements are those costs paid out by the Funeral Director on your behalf. These include payments to Doctors, Ministers, Cemeteries and Crematoriums.

Cremations

Cemetery and Crematorium costs vary depending on the charges made by individual councils. All figures quoted below are those of Birmingham City Council. Your Funeral Director will detail the costs appropriate to your particular area.

Unless the Coroner issues the documentation for cremation two doctors must sign the B,C & F Forms to be submitted to the Crematorium at a cost of £138.00 in total. Crematorium Fees for Birmingham City Council amount to £432.00 and the Ministers Fee amounts to £110.00 giving a total cost of £680.00. The cost of the Funeral Directors services must be added to this figure to give the total cost of the funeral.

Burials

Burial costs are higher than those of cremation. Where there is an existing grave the cost for subsequent burials varies depending on the costs charges by the cemetery. These include the cost of removal of any existing memorial, removal of the existing turf, digging and refilling the grave and the replacement of the memorial. Within the Birmingham Area these can vary between £ 350.00 to £800.00 depending on the time since the last burial and the amount of work required removing the existing memorial.

New graves within Birmingham City area amount to £2,015.00 for the purchase of the grave and the first burial. Solihull costs are £1,325.00 by comparison. Again the ministers fee of £110.00 must be added together with any additional church or chapel costs.

Where burial of nonresidents is required both Birmingham and Solihull Councils charge three times the amount.

HOW LONG A DELAY IS THERE BEFORE THE FUNERAL CAN TAKE PLACE?

This can only be answered in a very general way since there are many factors affecting the timing. Delays occur where the Coroner has to carry out investigations into the death. The timing also differs depending on the time of year simply because during the winter period the death rate increases.

These points aside a funeral service is normally arranged within five working days. This time can be less where circumstances or religious beliefs demand a short time period. For example those of the Muslim faith try to arrange the funeral on the same day. The actual time for any funeral will depend on the particular circumstances and not only the availability of cemeteries or crematorium but that of ministers and churches.

WHERE CAN I GET HELP TOWARDS THE FUNERAL COSTS?

The Deceased's savings.

It may be possible to release a part of the deceased's savings from a bank or building society account to pay the funeral costs. You will need to provide a copy of The Death Certificate together with the invoice from the Funeral Director.

Pension Schemes and Association Payments.

Some pension schemes provide a lump sum to help with the funeral costs as well as benefits for widows and other surviving relatives. If the deceased was not already in receipt of a pension find out if there was a pension due to be paid on retirement from a previous employer.

If you have any difficulty contacting the employer or finding out who is now responsible for the pension contact The Pension Scheme Registry on 0191 225 6394.

Life Insurance Policies.

If the deceased has a life insurance policy the insurance company may pay some or all of the amount prior to probate on production of the death certificate.

War Pensioners.

If the deceased was a war pensioner you may, under certain circumstances, receive help towards the funeral costs. For further information contact The War Pensions Helpline on 01253 858 858 or obtain a copy of WPA Leaflet 1 Notes about War Disablement and War Widows Pensions.

Payment from the DSS Social Fund.

See the separate section 'SOCIAL FUND' shown on this site.

Stillborn Babies.

Most hospitals will arrange a cremation or burial free of any charge.

The Local Council.

The local council has a duty to arrange the funeral where the deceased's relatives cannot be traced or they are unable or unwilling to pay for the funeral. They may than make a claim on the deceased's estate for the costs involved.

COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

My relative was collected by a Funeral Director on behalf of the Coroner, do we have to use their services for the funeral?

No. In many areas the Coroners Office use the services of one or more local Funeral Directors. The Funeral Directors concerned are only employed to remove the deceased and transfer them to the Coroners Offices. You are not obliged to use their services nor is there any charge made to you for the work they have done.

Must we have a religious service?

No. There is no legal requirement for a religious service or indeed to hold a service at all. A funeral service can be taken by anyone prepared to accept the responsibility, this could be a relative or a family friend. If you do not want a religious service but would like someone to lead the ceremony ask your Funeral Director to contact The British Humanist Association. The B.H.A. is a registered charity which provides officiants to conduct non-religious services for both weddings and funerals.

What is embalming?

Embalming is the process used to introduce chemicals into the body via the vascular system. These chemicals act as a preservative and delay the deterioration of tissue. Under certain circumstances, for example where the body is to be transported abroad, embalming must be carried out.

Can friends and family help carry the coffin?

Yes. Though all Funeral Directors will provide the 'bearers' to carry the coffin family and friends can help if they wish, indeed in certain cultures it is considered an honour to carry the coffin. The only limitation you may find is in the case of burial some cemeteries do not allow the family bearers to carry the coffin onto the grave or they may ask the family to sign a disclaimer in the event of an accident.

What is a wood effect or foil coffin?

Coffins are produced from solid wood, a wood veneer on chipboard or MDF or using a man made foil. The foil, normally made of paper, is 'veneered' onto the chipboard or MDF inner to give the appearance of a wood coffin and is then varnished to give a gloss finish.

Do I need to buy a more expensive solid coffin for burial?

No. Once burial has taken place the elements will attack and the coffin will start to break down. the time this takes varies little between a veneered coffin and those made of solid wood.

Why do we have to wait so long for the funeral to take place?

Most of the year this question should not apply. During the winter period, particularly after the Christmas and New Year holidays, the demand on cemeteries and crematoriums is at its greatest. If you feel the delay is too long contact other Funeral Directors in the area. It may be that your chosen Funeral Director does not have the capacity to cope with the funeral at an earlier time but times may still be available at the cemetery or crematorium.

Why do we have to pay doctors fees for a cremation but not for a burial?

Essentially as a safeguard. If at a future date doubt was cost upon perhaps the cause of death it is possible to exhume the body where burial has taken place. The is obviously not the case with cremations, therefore, a doctor who treated the patient must complete the appropriate form and a second independent doctor must check the answers given by the first doctor and carry out an external examination of the deceased.

We need more time for the service at the crematorium is this possible?

Yes. Crematorium times differ from half to three quarters of an hour. If you are expecting a very large attendance or simply need more time for a longer service ask your Funeral Director to book additional time. There is an additional charge.

Is the body removed from the coffin before cremation?

No. The only item removed from the coffin before cremation takes place are any flowers or floral displays placed on the coffin itself.

When does the cremation take place?

During the same working day.

How do I know that the cremated remains will be those of my relative or friend?

The remains are removed from the cremators after each cremation has taken place. The labeling and identification of cremated remains is very carefully controlled.

What choice is there for the disposal of cremated remains?

There are quite a number of options for the remains. All crematoriums have a garden of remembrance and offer the facility for the remains to be scattered in the garden. This can either be carried out at a quiet moment by the crematorium attendant or the family can make an appointment to witness the scattering. Some crematoriums offer plots for the burial of cremated remains and some churches will allow the burial of remains in the churchyard. Remains can be collected and kept at home in a casket or urn, they can be buried in a family grave, buried at sea, scattered from an aircraft or even buried under a tree in a conservation area.

The choice is obviously varied and differs depending on the availability of local facilities. Discuss the options available in your area with your Funeral Director.

There is not time limit for the burial or scattering of remains. You may find it is better not to make a decision at the time of arranging the funeral and ask the Funeral Director to collect the remains and hold them until you feel ready to make the necessary arrangements.

Is it possible to have funeral at the weekend?

Yes but facilities are limited. Perry Barr Crematorium offer cremation services on both Saturdays and Sundays, West Bromwich Crematorium also offer services up to 12.00 noon on Saturdays. Surcharges apply for weekend funerals.

We hope you have found this guide to be both useful and informative.

All costs quoted are correct at February 2008. Cemetery and crematorium fees shown are those for adults, the fees for a stillborn child and children are lower.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us - we would be very pleased to receive your comments.

This guide is the copyright of Jonathan Walker Funeral Directors and may not be reproduced in whole or part without permission.