Organising the funeral

5. Organising the funeral: your options.

A funeral service can be held in any suitable venue, not just a church or crematorium. The service, or ceremony, does not need to be religious - it can include whatever you, and your loved one, wants.

Funeral Directors

There is no time limit to have the funeral by. This can be varied to suit your needs: however, it is usually around two to three weeks.

You may also be able to make arrangements through your funeral director, and they can help you plan this and let you know what your choices are. It is perfectly acceptable to contact the funeral directors before your loved one has died, or any time afterwards. They will also transport your loved one from the place of death to their own premises, and then to the funeral, burial or cremation, depending on what has been decided. The funeral director can provide a hearse for transport of your loved one, and arrange “disbursement” fees which are fees for cremation, burial, church, and any other funeral costs. You will also be able to view your loved one in their Chapel of Rest and choose what clothes they wear. Additional options from a funeral director may include embalming, help with invitations, order of service, flowers, and collecting funeral donations. Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals. Visit humanism.uk for more details.

You can also contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council if you would like to arrange the funeral yourself. There is also a lot of information online about alternatives to traditional funerals, if you would prefer to explore this. More information on planning a funeral can be found at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or from the Natural Death Centre: www.naturaldeath.org.uk or telephone 01962 712690.

Further information on funerals.

Information about cemeteries around Lancaster Tel: 01524 582635 or you can find the information on the council website at www.lancaster.gov.uk

Lancaster & Morecambe Crematorium Tel: 01524 848394

South Lakeland Crematorium Beetham Hall, Milnthrope, Cumbria, LA7 7BQ Tel: 015395 65363

Lancaster City Council Bereavement Guide Tel: 01524 582635 or visit www.lancaster.gov.uk and search for “bereavement guide”

What to do after a death – free booklet from Job Centre Plus or www.gov.uk/after-a-death

Other sources of information General information about funerals and what to do with the ashes, and suggestions for readings etc, go to: www.funeralinspirations.co.uk www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk www.funeralzone.co.uk (free online support for the bereaved)

Paying for the funeral.

Funerals can be costly, but funeral directors understand people’s different circumstances and will suggest affordable choices. For a “fair funeral” price go to www.fairfuneralscampaign.org.uk and search the map. These are funeral directors who have signed a pledge to deliver the best possible price for funerals.

If you can’t afford a funeral:

The local council can arrange a public health funeral if: • There isn’t enough money in the estate to pay for it. • There are no relatives or friends available to arrange the funeral. This is usually a burial. You can attend the funeral but the local authority will decide the time and date. There is normally a short service, but extras such as flowers, cars or notices in the local newspaper are not included. If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you can also apply for funeral payment from the government to help you pay for the funeral.

Applying for Funeral Payment.

Funeral Payment is a government scheme for people on a low income who are receiving certain benefits, to help them pay for a funeral. It won’t cover the whole funeral bill. As such, depending on where you live, you might have to pay up to a third of the cost of a simple funeral. If you get Funeral Payment, you’ll usually have to pay the government back from any money you get from the person’s estate, such as their savings. If the person’s estate consisted only of personal belongings and a home that they shared with their surviving spouse or civil partner, the government normally won’t claim back this payment.

How do I claim?

You have three months from the date of the funeral to make a claim.

Visit www.gov.uk/funeral-payments for more information on eligibility and how to apply claim this benefit.

Bereavement benefits.

You may be entitled to certain bereavement benefits. These can be obtained through the form BD8 you will have been given by the registrar on the registration of death. You may be eligible for a contribution from the Social Fund towards the cost of a basic funeral. To find out more you can contact the Bereavement Service of the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 731 0469 or visit www.gov.uk/bereavement-payment