Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Elms Funeral Directors, let our family help your family at this difficult time.
The time following a loved ones death can be very difficult. We understand that. There is so much to think of and it is all happening when you are least equipped to deal with everything. There are also many questions but you may think of them at odd times. We are here to help guide and support you through this most difficult of times.
To help you, we have created this Frequently asked Questions. In addition, we are available 24 hours a day to help and advise on all aspects of arranging the funeral service. We are always only a phone call away so please do contact us on 01934 616006.
- If the death occurred at home – Contact your doctor who will certify that death has taken place, and will in due course issue a Medical Cause of Death Certificate.
- If the death occurred at a Nursing/Residential Home – The Home will normally arrange for a Doctor to certify the death and issue a Cause of Death Certificate.
- If the death occurred in Hospital – The Nursing Staff will advise you where you can collect the Cause of Death Certificate (Usually from the Bereavement office).
On initial contact, we will arrange to bring your loved one into our care. That is the first thing we should discuss.
We will ask a few preliminary details and help you with what you will need to do next.
We will explain over the phone the process of registering the death, and what you need to have with you to do so.
Once you have made an appointment at the Registrar’s Office, we will arrange to see you shortly afterwards in order to begin the funeral arrangements.
We will invite you to our offices at a time convenient for you and your family, to discuss the arrangements. This will help you plan for the funeral.
Funeral arrangements tend not to last any longer than an hour, however there is no time restrictions on how long they take. You will receive our undivided attention throughout the whole funeral process.
If required we can make arrangements for you to meet with a minister or cleric of an appropriate denomination to discuss the format and details of the actual funeral ceremony.
It is important for the bereaved to decide whether they wish to visit their loved one in our Chapel of Rest. It is situated on our premises. We will be pleased to discuss with you how you would prefer the deceased to be dressed and presented.
The Chapel of Rest is available to you during the day Monday to Friday. We do ask you, to make an appointment. This ensures that you will have our complete attention and that a member of our family is available to help, advise and support you.
The Chapel is private and you will be able to spend all the time you need with no pressure from us. While the Chapel is small and personal, there is no limit on the numbers who may attend or indeed on the frequency of the visits.
Unlike any other funeral directors, we will never charge for the use of our Chapel.
Many bereaved families are unsure about aspects of the funeral or visiting the deceased at our Chapel of Rest. If this is the case for you, a member of our family will be happy to talk with you in a sympathetic way. The final decision will always be yours. We are there to help and support you through those decisions.
All costs associated with a funeral are clearly shown on our simple to use funeral cost calculator. We encourage you to make use of it to work out the details. It also enables you to see the costs associated with each option.
There are no hidden charges and any costs to be paid to third parties such as Crematorium, Minister/ Celebrant and Doctor’s fees are all advised in our written estimate.
To see our current charges click here.
Some people feel that a religious service would not be appropriate. In these cases there are many ways of having a ceremony that is both tasteful and helpful to all who attend. These can include music, poetry, a short funeral oration or whatever seems appropriate.
Our primary concern is to make sure that the funeral ceremony is as you want it to be. Please do not hesitate to talk to us about any matter that may concern you.
It is customary for the funeral cortège to start from your home address, where family and friends can gather beforehand. If another starting point is required we are very happy to accommodate wherever possible. Alternatively, the funeral can start from our Chapel of Rest.
The hearse will lead the procession with the limousines following. There is the option to follow the hearse in your own cars, should you wish. The limousines will wait at the service and take you back to a destination of your choice, usually to the wake.
If you have a preferred route to the funeral ceremony, please let us know beforehand so that we may plan our route and timings to meet your special request. We will have already discussed with you the placing of family flowers if any, on and around the coffin. The service arrangements will have been discussed with you. If required, a minister will have contacted you.
Do not be afraid to ask at any time if there is anything special you want included, but bear in mind that the later the request, the more difficult it may be to arrange, especially if third parties are involved.
A traditional funeral often begins with a formal funeral service. This service may take place in a church, chapel, crematorium, or a suitable venue of your choice. It typically includes music, hymns, prayers, readings, and eulogies.
The content of the service can vary based on the religious or non-religious beliefs of the deceased and their family. We can offer both religious officiants and non-religious officiants to suit your needs.
Mourners in the UK traditionally wear sombre clothing, such as black or dark-coloured attire. However, a lot more people are inclined to wear brighter colours to make the funeral feel a lot more like a celebration of life.
After the funeral service, it is customary for mourners to gather for a meal or refreshments. This gathering is known as a “wake,”.
It provides an opportunity for friends and family to offer condolences and share memories of the deceased. A lot of families choose a venue which is close to the funeral location.
It is quite common for families to set up display boards with various photos through the years at the wake, it is a good focal point for families and friends.
Every family is presented with the choice of a burial or cremation for their loved one.
The cost of a cremation is considerably less than the cost of a burial.
A cremation service is by far the most popular here in Weston, with almost 90% of the funerals we conduct being cremations. There is the option of having the ashes buried or scattered after the cremation service has taken place.
Whatever your choice we will be sensitive to this important subject and provide all the support you need.
We use a local independent florist in Weston, namely Vanda Flowers.
We are able to order the flowers on your behalf, or alternatively you can visit the shop and make a bespoke request for flowers of your choice.
The flowers can be paid for directly by yourselves, or added to our funeral account. The choice is yours.
It is common for the family to opt for one funeral spray on the coffin and request donations in lieu of flowers by other attending mourners and family members.
In lieu of flowers, it is increasingly common for families to request charitable donations in memory of the deceased. This allows mourners to contribute to a cause or charity that was important to the deceased.
If there is no charity which comes to mind, we always encourage donations to be raised for our local hospice, Weston Hospicecare.
Donations can be made under the ‘Funeral Announcements’ page on our website, or by popping a cheque made out to the charity or cash in our donation box provided at the funeral.
It is common to publish obituary notices in the local newspaper to inform the community of the passing and the details of the funeral service.
This is something that we can assist with.
We can also publish an online tribute page free of charge to be displayed on our website where family and friends can share their photos, memories and donate to a charity of your choice.