| I have never arranged a funeral before, what do I need to know? It is inevitable that at some time in our lives, we will be involved in arranging a funeral. This is not an easy period, but there are certain things you can do to ensure everything is arranged to make things simpler:
Funeral directors provide a variety of services to help the bereaved through a difficult time. They make arrangements for the transportation of the body, handle all necessary paperwork, and guide the family through funeral choices and any other matters that need rectifying. They are caregivers and administrators, with the experience and compassion to help families through the entire process. There are many factors that go into the total cost of the funeral; these can include the price of the casket, memorial, hearse rental and so on. The best way to determine a price that is suited for you is to talk to our funeral director and ascertain the prices for individual items, and the service as a whole. A funeral plan is essentially a plan for the future, and is a simple way for you to take control of your affairs and ensure that your family will not be burdened with having to second guess your wishes at an emotional time. It also eases the financial implications of a funeral, making sure that when the time comes, your family will not have to worry about costs. Yes, if someone is not in the position or is unable to arrange a funeral plan, you can arrange it on their behalf. All correspondence is fully confidential upon the request of the person making the payment. If someone dies at home, the first thing anyone should do, is contact the family GP who can then issue a Death Certificate that you take to the registrar. Our funeral director will facilitate transport of the body, so we can move forward with arrangements. More than 70% of funerals involve a cremation today, because it is generally more affordable and simple. Commonly, cremated remains are placed in an urn, which families can take home as a memorial, or ashes can be scattered in a place deemed suitable for the deceased. A funeral is a highly personal and emotional time, and sometimes a family will have specific requirements that will we strive to fulfil. This can include a particular piece of music, an arrangement of flowers or even a particular vehicle to transport the body. Whatever your individual requirement, we will do our very best to accommodate your wishes. The price of a casket is dependant on what the bereaved decide upon. Some are more expensive than others because of the materials used, and the type of lining within. Caskets can be both wood and metal, and have their own respective varieties and properties which affect the price. As with any other aspect of our funeral service, there is a choice concerning the use of a religious ceremony. It is not necessary to have a minister of religion to conduct a service. Instead of prayers and hymns, a family can simply have a series of tributes and sharing of memories. The ceremony can be held in a private home, a funeral parlour, or a place relevant to the deceased. Harrison’s funeral directors are available to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |

