Getting quotes from funeral directors
Funeral director’s prices can vary considerably, even within a local area. Since, September 2021, funeral directing companies are legally required to publish their prices on their website, if they have one. Sometimes, funeral directors will offer “packages”, and other times prices will be itemised.
We recommend getting quotes from several different funeral directors to compare their costs and services. You can speak to them too so you can decide if you are comfortable with them.
Ask for a written estimate of costs before you decide whether to use them. They should be able to provide this, and it will be helpful when comparing prices and services between companies.
You can also use an online price comparison website (do an internet search for ‘funeral comparison’) but use them with care as prices are not always accurate.
When you are advised of the cost, make sure it includes any disbursements or third-party fees, such as the crematorium/cemetery, minister/celebrant, and doctor’s fee (for a cremation in Northern Ireland).
Simple funerals and the CMA Attended Funeral
All companies have to offer an Attended Funeral on their Standardised Price List, using set wording. In some cases it is similar to, or the same as, a simple funeral and can be a less expensive option. The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority), who designed the price list, intended it to include the core elements of a funeral, though for some people and faiths it may not provide key things, for other people it may include elements they do not want, such as a viewing.
The precise content of some services is unclear from the wording, so be aware of the following things and check with the funeral director exactly what they will provide:
- Companies are not required to include dressing the deceased person in their own clothes, but some may do this for the same price
- Staff to transport the coffin into the venue, or to the graveside, on a wheeled bier/trolley are required, but whether pall bearers are provided to carry the coffin depends on individual companies
- Funeral directors are expected to set a date and time “taking into account as fully as possible the wishes and needs of the Customer”
Direct Funeral / Unattended Funeral
Some people prefer not to have a service, or don’t feel the need to have the service and cremation/burial at the same time. Some high-street funeral directors, and many online companies, offer ‘direct’ cremations and some offer ‘direct’ burials too. This is when the body is cremated or buried without anyone present. If you wish to have a service or memorial, this can be done elsewhere in any way you wish – beforehand with the deceased person present e.g. at the funeral director’s chapel of rest if they offer this, or after at any venue you like, perhaps with the ashes present.
The Standardised Price List (SPL) calls this an Unattended Funeral. Little information is provided on the SPL, but we recommend not assuming that either a viewing of the deceased person or dressing them in their own clothes is included. It is best to check.
Payment terms
Ask for their payment terms and be aware that they often ask for a payment before the funeral can take place. Some ask for full payment in advance.
Tell them if you are applying for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment or Funeral Support Payment, or for any charitable grants, in case they can offer a lower deposit or wait for the outcome of these applications before going ahead.
If you’re applying to charities for a grant to help with funeral costs, it’s worth thinking about how long the application might take when looking at the funeral director’s payment terms.
Photo credits: