Arranging the funeral
National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors Tel: 0345 230 6777 www.saif.org.uk Paying for the funeral Funerals can be expensive so remember to check where the money to pay for the costs will come from before making any arrangements. The deceased may have a pre- paid funeral plan. If the deceased does not have sufficient money in their estate, the person who organises the funeral will have to pay. If you are paying for the funeral and already getting certain social security benefits, you may be able to get a funeral payment from the Department of Work and Pensions. For more information go to www.gov.uk. If no one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the local council, or in some cases the health authority may do so, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged. Wills, probate and inheritance When someone dies you will need to get the legal right to deal with their property, money and possessions (their estate). Youmay need to apply for a grant of representation known as probate. For further information please visit www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance.
A funeral can be either by burial or by cremation. You can organise it with or without the help of a funeral director.
If the death has been reported to the Coroner this may affect the date when the funeral can be held.
In some cases the deceased may have planned their own funeral, so check whether the will contains any instructions in this regard. If you are the next of kin and there are no specific instructions, it is up to you to make the funeral arrangements. Taking into account the deceased’s wishes, the key decisions that need to be made are listed below. If you are using a funeral director they will help you with this. • Whether there will be a funeral service (there is no legal requirement to have a funeral ceremony) • Where the body should rest before the funeral • Time and place of the funeral (this can only be finalised once the order for burial/cremation has been issued). • You don’t have to hold a funeral service in a crematorium/place of worship or licensed
building – it can be held in your home. • Type of service (religious, civil or other) • who will conduct the service • whether you want flowers for the funeral or donations to a named charity
To find a West Sussex funeral director, you can check locally, online, or contact:
The National Association of Funeral Directors Tel: 0121 711 1343 www.nafd.org.uk.
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Bereavement Guide
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