Things to discuss

When you meet with your Funeral Director they will discuss in detail with you the options available with regards to the funeral arrangements. We understand that it can feel overwhelming to have decisions to make when you are grieving and this can feel very difficult if the person who has died did not leave any specific instructions.   We have detailed below some things that you may wish to consider or discuss as a family before you meet with us. This is guidance only, please do not feel you have to make all of these decisions at this stage, your Funeral Director will talk through everything with you when you meet and will maintain close contact with you throughout the days leading up to the date of the funeral.

• Would your request be for a burial or cremation service?

• If your choice is for burial, do you have an existing family grave or would you wish for us to arrange the purchase of a new grave on your behalf?

• If your choice is for cremation, would that be a local crematorium (for example Stockton, Teesside, Hartlepool,
• Darlington, Kirkleatham or Durham)?

• Where would you like the service to be held (for example, would you like a service before the burial or cremation in a Church or other venue of your choice)

• Is there a particular Minister or Officiant that you would like to take the service for you?

• Thinking about the service – are there any favourite hymns, pieces of music or readings you would like?

• What transport would you like us to arrange for you? The hearse only or the hearse and following limousines? We can also arrange specialist transport such as a horse drawn hearse or motorcycle hearse.

• Would you like the cortege to leave from your home address? Would you like us to take a specific route to the funeral venue?

• Would you like to visit the Chapel of Rest to pay your last respects?

• Would you like us to place an obituary notice in the newspaper on your behalf?

• Would you like to arrange floral tributes with us?

• Would you like to request donations in lieu of flowers to your chosen charity?

• We provide 50 complimentary Order of Service for each attended funeral we arrange – we will discuss this in detail with you, but you may wish to choose a favourite photograph to be included

For many families, decisions around what should happen with their loved one’s ashes following a cremation service can feel particularly difficult to make in the early stages of grief and bereavement.  We have produced a booklet called “After the Funeral” which you can download here, which describes some of the choices available to you.  Your funeral director will be able to talk with you in more detail about your wishes and if you would prefer to delay making any decision regarding your loved one’s ashes until after the funeral has taken place then please just let us know.