What to do if someone dies

Arranging a Funeral

Who will make the arrangements?

The person who arranges the funeral must be able to make decisions regarding the funeral. This person will also be responsible for payment of the funeral.

The first decision you will have to make is whether it will be a cremation or burial. This is a very personal decision influenced by many factors including religion, or a personal preference expressed when the person was alive.

Approximately 73% of funerals are cremations. Burials are more expensive due to the cost of graves, digging the grave, re-opening a grave, removal of headstones, new headstones etc.

Our fees are the same for both.

Selecting an appropriate coffin

We include in our price plans a choice of coffins which are suitable for both cremation or burial.

Apart from these we have a full range of coffins and caskets available ranging from wood to solid bronze.

Prices range from £195 to £5,000.

The Service

The service can be conducted at the Crematorium Chapel, or at a Church followed by a committal at the Crematorium. Burials can have the service in Church, the Chapel at the Cemetery or at the graveside. We will agree a date and time for this to suit you.

Other subjects to be considered are whether to have a religious or non religious service, if indeed you want a service at all. Do you have someone in mind that you would like to take the service? Would family or friends like to take part with a reading, poetry or recollections of the person? Whatever you decide, we shall be pleased to arrange.

What music you would like if any, traditional hymns, popular songs, or maybe your loved one had their own favourites?
Would you require service sheets for the congregation and maps for mourners who may have to travel to attend?

You also need to decide whether you want flowers for the funeral, or perhaps donations to a named charity. If you want flowers and a cremation is planned, you can decide what should be done with the flowers afterwards. The local hospital or nursing home may be pleased to accept your tributes.

Please remember that arrangements can be altered. It is extremely important to us at Smith Yeatman, that we provide the funeral you require.