Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to a few questions we are frequently asked.
If you would like more explanation please don’t hesitate to get in contact via 01823 672287
How much does the average funeral cost?
With the recent introduction and rise of direct cremation, it really is very hard to say. While your average traditional service can cost from £3500 upwards, direct cremation offers a low cost alternative starting at around £1500.
Do we have to pay a deposit?
No, we do not take deposits.
We trust the families we work with, just as we expect our families to trust us to take care of their loved one.
What do we do first after our loved one has died?
We will contact you the day of or the following day after death has occurred to walk you through the first steps. The first thing you have to think about is notifying the registration office to get the ball rolling in terms of generating a death certificate. We have a section on our website under ‘Your First Steps’ where you can find more information as well as speaking with us directly.
Do we have to have a coffin?
While the notion of no coffin is a freeing one. We do ask for everyone in our care to be in a coffin.
We have a vast selection of coffins to meet most - colourful, willow, classic, solid oak, wool, bamboo, cardboard. You name it, we can source it.
Do we have to have a funeral?
No, not in the traditional sense.
While you have to formally register someones death and lay the body to rest be that via burial or cremation, there doesn’t have to be a service that people attend. Direct / ‘Pure’ cremation is a popular choice, where you can say good bye your way, without a service, hearse, mourners, nothing. We collect your loved one, do the work for you and deliver their ashes / let you know they have been buried.
What is your latest viewing time?
We do our best to be as flexible as we can for everyone as we understand people who wish to visit their loved one may be working. We ask only in return that our work hours are respected also, as we are a small family business who also need time away from work. We can and will hold viewings after normal work hours, this will just be charged at an additional rate as additional staff may be required. Just as we ask for weekend visits to be kept to the morning so we are able to relax ourselves in the afternoons.
We host one free of charge viewing within working hours (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm) per person in our care. You are more than welcome to come more than once and out of work hours but this will cost an additional £75 per hour and will have to be arranged in advance at a time that suits both parties.
Will you ever stop us from viewing?
We will never categorically say you can’t come and visit your loved one.
We will however, if deemed necessary, give you our professional opinion as to whether we believe they should be viewed. If this is the case, we only have your best interests at heart and we will always offer the alternative of sitting with the closed coffin.
Do we embalm everyone?
No, we don’t embalm everyone. We only embalm at the request of the family or when advised by a medical professional.
We choose not to use embalming in our regular practice due to its environmental impact. Embalming is a process where a body is filled with a formaldehyde solution to replace bodily fluids, slowing the rate of decomposition. When the body is then buried the chemicals and toxins are released into the ground just as during cremation the same toxins are released into the air.
While we understand why people would opt for embalming and honour everyone who wishes to do so, we simply don’t see the need to introduce chemicals to everyone.
Can we give you some clothing to put on them?
Yes! We can certainly put any clothes on you like. You can pack anything and give it to us to dress them in, including shoes and accessories.
The only caveat is if your loved one is going to be cremated, no batteries and minimal heavy duty metal items.
Really what you want to try and choose are natural materials, like cotton, denim etc instead of plastics or metal items.
What do we do about jewellery?
We will removed jewellery on request and hold it in our safe until collection is arranged. If collection hasn’t taken place before the funeral service we will deliver the jewellery with the names / donations lists following the service.
Can I be at the crematorium to witness a direct cremation?
Technically no. However, if the direct / unattended cremation is taking place at Taunton Crematorium 2 people are allowed to walk through as the coffin is pushed in to the chapel. However this is the only location where this can happen. At Sedgemoor crematorium there is strictly no attendees to be present at a direct cremation, if anyone was to attempt to attend we will be fined and the fine passed on to the family.
What should we expect the cremated remains to come back in?
Cremated remains come back to us and are looked after by us in a heavy duty card board box, similar to that of a shoe box. The ashes are then wrapped in a paper bag inside the box.
While this is perfectly functional, it isn’t pretty or particularly strong long term. So if you were looking to keep the ashes on display we can arrange for and help you find a vessel to put them in. Alternatively if you wish to inter the ashes or scatter them we can decant the ashes into something more appropriate.
If you let us know what you wish to do, we can help advise which avenue to go down.
Do you offer pre-paid funeral plans?
Yes we do!
We are a registered Golden Charter representative and can offer pre-paid funeral plans from direct cremation to a church burial. Whatever plan or idea you have, we can arrange it for you!
What if I paid for my funeral in advance and you or the company holding my money went bust?
We only make funeral plans through Golden Charter, if we do not hold any money ourselves it all goes through them. So if we went bust or someone bought our business your funeral plan would be able to be moved to another funeral director who would honour your plans just as we would.
Golden Charter, as of 2022, is FCA regulated. This means if anything was to happen to Golden Charter the funeral plans already made would be protected.