Information

Please feel free to contact us

What should I do if a relative dies at home?

The Doctor will either attend to confirm that death has occurred, or will give permission for the deceased to be transferred to a Funeral Director's premises.

You can then contact the Funeral Director of your choice, who will attend to transfer the deceased to their premises.

How do I decide which Funeral Service to choose?

Choosing a Funeral Director can be difficult, especially if you are confronted with having to make a quick decision. Many people ask friends or relatives to recommend a firm that they have dealt with, or have heard positive comments about.

If you do not have the opportunity to ask advice from others, find out about the firms in your area, perhaps from advertisements in your local press, parish magazines, or Yellow Pages. The advertisements may also give you further information, such as whether it is a small family business or part of a larger group.

I was not thinking, and I rang the wrong Funeral Service. Can I change my mind?

If you have already asked a funeral firm to transfer the deceased to their premises, you can still use a different firm to deal with the funeral arrangements. The Company you contact to deal with the funeral will arrange for the transfer of the deceased to their premises. It will still be necessary for you to pay the other firm for the removal of the deceased.

What do I need to register the death?

In order to register the death, you will need to obtain a Medical Certificate from the Doctor who was treating the deceased during the last illness. When the Coroner is involved, this Certificate is replaced by one from the Coroner. The Coroner's Office will be able to advise you or your Funeral Director when you will be able to attend the Registrar's Office.

If you have the deceased's Birth or Marriage Certificates to hand you can take them along to the Registrar, but the documents will not be retained. All that is required is the information contained on them e.g. the deceased's place and date of birth, and maiden name if applicable.

What will the Registrar give me?

		DSS Form. This should be taken or sent to your DSS Office with any pension or benefit books in the deceased's name, or in joint names. This is also used to assess whether a surviving partner is eligible for benefits such as Widows Benefit.
		Funeral Director's Form. This is green, and should be given to your Funeral Director to allow the funeral to take place. NB: If the Coroner has investigated the death, and cremation is required, this will be replaced with a form which the Coroner will send direct to the Funeral Director.
		Death Certificates. These are copies of the Register Entry, and are the Certificates required by Banks, Insurance Companies etc. to attend to the deceased's affairs.

Do I have to wait until I have registered the death before arranging the funeral?

NO!! Arranging the funeral involves your Funeral Director discussing with you the type of funeral required, and offering you advice and information as appropriate. This can be done as soon as you have made certain decisions about the funeral - e.g. whether it is to be a burial or cremation.

Then, once you have registered the death, you can arrange with your Funeral Director for the green form to be handed over or collected.

We have never been a religious family - Do we have to have a vicar to take the service?

No - there is no requirement to hold a religious funeral service, and there are a number of alternatives. Perhaps a relative or friend could take the service if they feel able to do so.

Other Members of the congregation could speak or read verses or poems.

What are green funerals and woodland burials?

'Green funerals' is a term often used to describe funerals which are designed to be simple and environmentally friendly. Some people consider the use of a cardboard coffin to be more environmentally friendly than one composed of wood bi-products.

Woodland burial sites are where trees or wild flowers are planted on graves instead of a headstone, eventually turning the site into woodland. There are many such sites available throughout the United Kingdom - we will be able to provide you with information should you require it.

Funerals can be expensive. How will I know if I can afford it?

Bridgwater Funeral Services ensure that we treat our clients and the public fairly. Price lists available showing the cost of the services we provide.

To ensure you obtain the best value possible, you should contact at least two Funeral Directors in your area for an estimate of the funeral costs, or obtain a price list from their office to make comparisons. Do not assume that all funeral firms charge the same prices

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