Did the person that has died leave any instructions regarding their funeral? Where would you like the service (if any) to take place, and will this be followed by burial or cremation?

If there is to be a cremation there are many options available as to the final resting place of the ashes and we can guide you through these options.

From where would you like the hearse to leave?

It can leave from your home or the home of the person who has died, or can go directly to the place of the service.
Do you need any limousines to follow the hearse?

What is your budget?

We will advise you on the likely costs and provide you with a written estimate in advance of the funeral. Your budget may guide your choice of coffin or casket. We offer a standard range of coffins which are detailed on our price list; however we can arrange other options, such as cardboard, bamboo, or metal caskets. It is also possible for coffins to be decorated to reflect the life of the person that has died, the list is almost endless, so please ask.

Do you wish to provide catering for the mourners following the service?

We can advise on conveniently placed local hotels or arrange for outside caterers to attend either at your own home or in a local hall.

What about a memorial?

We can advise you on memorial options for both burials and cremations. We work closely with local stonemasons H L Perfitt Ltd and have brochures and price lists available - please ask. In the case of a burial in a grave where there is an existing memorial, it is likely that this will have to be removed temporarily. We will arrange for the safe keeping of the memorial until such time as the second inscription is engraved and the memorial replaced.

We will liaise with clergy and local authorities on your behalf to make all the necessary arrangements.

Should there be a service with religious content in a church or crematorium chapel or would you prefer to hold a secular service in a local hall or garden?

You will of course be guided in this decision by your own religious beliefs and those of the person whose funeral you are arranging. A high proportion of funerals services are conducted by a minister of religion, but secular services are growing and we have a list of civil funeral celebrants who will conduct a non religious service should this be your choice. Please see useful contacts for more information.

Do friends or members of the family wish to be personally involved in the service by reading or paying a tribute? What kind of music would be appropriate?

Often you can select the music that will be played on entering and leaving the place of service, as well as hymns or music during the service. In conjunction with the person who will lead the service, we can guide you with the order of service and arrange for these to be printed for you. These can be personalised with appropriate photographs drawings or a badge or emblem. We can also provide In Memoriam books to record the names of the mourners at the service, or we can list these for you.

Will family or friends wish to come and visit the person who has died in our chapel prior to the funeral?

Our chapel is available for you to visit at any time during the day or the evening providing you make an appointment. It is possible for the person that has died to be dressed in their own clothes that will be familiar to friends and family. This could be anything from a best suit, to their old gardening clothes. It is also possible for photographs, drawings or other small items to be placed in the coffin. You will need to consider whether jewellery, such as a wedding ring is to remain with the person who has died, or whether it will be removed and kept by a friend or family member.

We can place funeral notices and acknowledgements in local and national newspapers on your behalf and guide you with the wording of these. You will need to decide if you would like mourners to send flowers or donations to an appropriate charity in lieu of flowers. We can advise on local florists and guide you through the choices for floral tributes.

We can advise you on memorial options for both burials and cremations. We work closely with local stonemasons H L Perfitt Ltd and have brochures and price lists available - please ask. In the case of a burial in a grave where there is an existing memorial, it is likely that this will have to be removed temporarily. We will arrange for the safe keeping of the memorial until such time as the second inscription is engraved and the memorial replaced.

If you need to contact H L Perfitt Ltd please see our useful contacts page.

There are many alternative options available for the funeral such as woodland burials; horse drawn vehicles; the scattering of ashes at sea and memorials for your garden. We can also arrange for a piper to accompany the coffin or even a New Orleans style band! We can help to guide you through all these options as well as many other possibilities. Our aim is to help you through the arrangements of a funeral that is deserving of the life that went before.

If you are looking for something a little different Colourful Coffins provide a range of distinctive picture coffins, with styles ranging from Religious to Sport. Visit them online at www.colourfulcoffins.com