What does a Funeral Director do?

It is a funeral director's responsibility to ensure that a funeral meets the wishes of the family. He will ensure that the funeral is appropriate, dignified and carried out in a professional manner. He will also ensure that each element of the funeral complies with the law.

A funeral director will help you with the practicalities of arranging a funeral and the following is a list of the things you might expect your funeral director to take care of. It isn't exhaustive and all funeral directors offer their own distinct services.

As a general guide your funeral director may:

  • Move the person who has died from the place of death to their premises, or your home if you would prefer
  • Provide help and advice on matters relating to death
  • Provide appropriate facilities for families who wish to view the person who has died
  • Ensure paperwork is in place to allow burial or cremation to take place
  • Arrange repatriation overseas for burial or cremation
  • Arrange to transfer the body to another area of the country for burial or cremation
  • Help you arrange a date and time for the funeral. The funeral director will contact the church, crematorium/cemetery and the person you would like to conduct the service. He will agree a time convenient to all that meets your wishes
  • Place notices in local newspapers, and ‘thank you’ notices following the funeral
  • Order floral tributes on behalf of families and friends and care for any floral tributes left with the funeral director prior to the funeral
  • Accept charitable donations on the family’s behalf, and record names and details of the donation
  • Provide appropriate vehicles and trained staff to enable the funeral to proceed with dignity, and in accordance with your instructions.
  • At the funeral, to arrange any music you have specifically requested and distribute Order of Service sheets
  • Arrange for the disposal of remains after cremation
  • Offer caskets to suit individual choice and a range of budgets
  • Help you arrange a pre-paid funeral plan
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