Who is arranging the funeral
If you have recently been bereaved and you are now faced with arranging a funeral, we can provide you with help and advice on the steps required to take.
Using a Funeral Director
You do not need to hire a Funeral Director to organise a funeral. However, it is often worth considering as they are professionals who have plenty of experience with organising funerals. Funeral Directors will be aware of processes, logistics, and arrangements that need to be made.
Having a Funeral Director carry out these services on your behalf can also relieve any undue pressure and stress from the bereaved.
Typically, a Funeral Director will:
- arrange for the collection of the body
- arrange for any embalming and/or a viewing of the body
- provide a coffin or casket
- provide a hearse and cover any logistical arrangements
A Funeral Director is operating a business and will charge accordingly for their services.
Employing a Funeral Director will mean that access to the body of the deceased may be limited by business hours.
How to choose a Funeral Director
You can read our advice on how to choose a Funeral Director.
You can also use our directory to search for Funeral Directors in Trafford.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Some people do not want to use a Funeral Director, for a wide variety of reasons, and prefer to organise the funeral themselves. Such a funeral is often referred to as a ‘Personalised’ or ‘Independent’ funeral. It is a personal decision that requires no explanation.
These funerals will be different because traditional funeral elements may be unattainable. For example, some Funeral Directors do not offer a hearse for hire service, and some do not sell coffins or caskets as individual items.
Funeral Facilitators
Those organising a funeral themselves may consider hiring a Funeral Facilitator. A Funeral Facilitator will assist with organisation and logistics, such as:
- assistance in handling the body
- facilitating hearse hire
They don't take on the entirety of the funeral organisation like a traditional Funeral Director will. There will be a charge for these services.
Some palliative care nurses may also offer assistance with handling the body if the deceased has passed away at home.
Public health funerals
Sometimes, it is not possible for a private funeral to be arranged. For example:
- if there is no known next of kin
- the bereaved are unable to make arrangements for the funeral
- there are insufficient funds to do so
In this case, where no other suitable arrangements can be made, we can arrange for a public health funeral to take place.
This will mean that the body of the deceased is taken into the care of the government. All rights to manage the organisation of the funeral and burial/cremation are waived by the next of kin.
We will arrange for a simple service with a contracted Funeral Director and, where possible, the costs of the funeral will be recovered from the deceased’s estate.
More information about fees and charges. For details of financial aid available for funeral costs, see our help and support page.