A Good Funeral Guide factsheet

Buy only what you want
Burial or cremation?
o burialo if burial, where? _______________________o cremation
Funeral or direct cremation?
o Funeralo No funeral—straight to the crematorium
When?
Our preferred dates and times for the funeral areo _________________ morning / afternoon
o _________________ morning / afternoon
o _________________ morning / afternoon
Who will do the admin?
o ________ to complete all paperwork`and pay disbursementso _________to place an obituary notice in the paper
Who will look after the body?
o the body will stay with the undertakero the body will come homePage

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Who will supply the coffin?
o I will supply the coffin (some undertakers won’t let you)o I have seen a coffin I like. I want the undertaker to order it.
o I will choose a coffin from the undertaker’s range. I want ao Least expensive coffino A mid-price coffino A top-of-the-range coffin
Who will lay out the body?
o I will wash and dress the body at the undertaker’so I will wash and dress the body at home with the undertakero I will wash and dress the body at home unassistedo I want the undertaker to wash and dress the body© 2014 Good Funeral Guide CIC – All rights reserved * goodfuneralguide.co.uk

A Good Funeral Guide factsheet

What will the dead person wear?
o I will supply clothes for the bodyo The body will be clothed in a gown supplied by the undertaker
How will the hair be groomed?
o I will supply a photograph of the person who has diedo I will give instructions about thiso The undertaker will use his or her discretion
If you want the undertaker to wash and dress the body, do you
o want someone of the same sex to do it?
Do you want to visit the person who has died?
o no visito one visito one visit on the day before the funeralo as and wheno every day
o long periods
o no religious imagery in the ‘chapel of rest’
Embalming and invasive treatmento yes / no to embalming, ‘sanitary treatment’ or ‘hygienic treatment’o only gentle methods to be used for closing the eyes and mouth
Do you want the body to come home?
o yes, for the first few dayso yes, for one / two days before the funeralo not at allPage

2What transport do you need on the day of the funeral?
o undertaker’s hearseo alternative hearse ______________________________o Number of following limousine/s____o undertaker’s estate car or private ambulanceo I will supply my own transport
Will you need bearers to carry the coffin?
o yes© 2014 Good Funeral Guide CIC – All rights reserved * goodfuneralguide.co.uk

A Good Funeral Guide factsheeto yes, but only ____
o no, we shall carry the coffin ourselves
Do you need a priest or a celebrant?
Note: you can appoint a celebrant before you have seen your undertaker. Go tofuneralcelebrants.org.uk
o no, we’re sortedo yes, a priesto yes, a celebrant: semi-religious / atheist
Where will you hold the funeral?
o crematorium chapelo cemetery chapelo natural burial groundo other: ________________________________________How long will the ceremony last?
If it is likely to last longer than 20 minutes you will need to book a double slot if
your venue is the crematorium. Check with your crematorium how long they
allow you.
o We’ll need a single slot
o We’ll need a double slot
Who will book the funeral venue (including the crematorium)o I will book it myself and pay directo the undertaker will do thisDo you want to witness the coffin going into the cremator?
If you do not wish to do so yourself, you may like to ask someone else to do it.
o No
o Yes. I / the undertaker will make this arrangemento If yes, how many of you? _____

Arrivalo I want the coffin brought to the door of the crematorium chapel

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What’s the dress code?
o I want the undertaker and staff to wear ___________________© 2014 Good Funeral Guide CIC – All rights reserved * goodfuneralguide.co.uk

A Good Funeral Guide factsheeto I want the coffin brought to the car park, from where we will carry itourselveso I want the coffin brought to ________________ from where we willcarry it ourselves.
Processiono I want the undertaker to walk in front of the hearseo I will decide who walks in front of the hearse
What part do you want the undertaker to play at the funeral?
o master of ceremonies, in charge of everythingo record the names of the people who comeo just help out with getting people seatedo no part at all. I am the host.
Who will order the flowers?
o I will choose from undertaker’s catalogueo I will supply them
Do you want an order of service booklet?
o yes, we want the undertaker to get it printed
o yes, we shall look after this ourselveso no, we don’t one
Do you want the undertaker to collect and forward donations to a chosencharity?
o yes
o noENDSPage

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Do you want the undertaker to supply any of the following?
o cateringo a pipero live musicianso multimedia presentationo doveso balloons
o an urn for ashes© 2014 Good Funeral Guide CIC – All rights reserved * goodfuneralguide.co.uk