Our aim is to provide clients with the maximum freedom of choice in making Funeral arrangements, to provide competent and professional advice on all aspects of Funeral arrangements and to enable clients to arrange the funeral most appropriate to their wishes and budget.

With CHOICES we will assist you in every way possible but importantly enable you to make informed decisions about every detail with the arrangements.

In recent years more people are expressing a wish that the funeral of their loved ones be about a celebration of their life reflecting the love and interests thay have had. Personal touches are important, such as :

	Using an eco-friendly coffin in softwood, willow, bamboo, or cardboard which can be deccorated or painted by the family.
	Loved one dressed in favourite clothes instead of funeral gown.
	A relative being involved in preparation or dressing of deceased.
	Photographs, cards, letters or small mementos placed in coffin.
	Favourite garden flowers in arrangements made by family/grandchildren.
	Family or friends involved in escorting the coffin to the graveside/catafalque.
	The use of everyday vehicles instead of expensive limousines.
	Family and friends involved in readings, eulogy/poems.
	Doves or balloons released at the graveside.

All Funeral Directors should offer a Basic Funeral, the cost of which covers the essential services to carry out a simple funeral including Collection, care of deceased, coffin and transport of same to cemetery or crematorium.

Although it may seem unnecessarily mercenary, the bereaved should always seek an estimated cost from 2 or 3 Funeral Directors. Large national chains may have very high overheads and often small family businesses can give excellent value and a personal involvement. Many elderly people who have been frugal enable you to choose which, you should be aware of all costs involved. Should the client making the arrangements be in receipt of benefits, ask for form SF200 from the local Social Security Office as their is at present an allowance of £700 along with the cost of the Burial or Cremation towards the cost of a funeral. (See Bereavement Benefits).

The answer is Yes. It is possible not to involve Funeral Directors but their are many aspects of arrangements when their knowledge is useful, for the timings and paperwork required by cemeteries and crematorium and keeping loved ones at home as well as the fact that most newspapers will not accept death notices from the public. CHOICES are happy to keep their involvement and guidance to suit you. Apart from the forms issued by the Hospitals, Procurator Fiscal and Registrar, every other form will be found at our office and we listen to your concerns, ideas and offer advice to guide you. We can explain the differences in various graves and regulations within cemeteries and crematorium.

The person making the arrangements with us must be authorised to do so, and be able to make decisions regarding the funeral details. Through conversation we will be able to discuss all the topics relating to the funeral allowing it to be tailored to your exact wishes. It does not have to be a close family member who makes the arrangements. Either, it could be a more distant relation or a friend or neighbour. It is important however that whoever we deal with can provide the personal details and
information that will be required.

We will ensure that everything proceeds in a proper and dignified manner.

At the time of arranging we will advise you of the options available and the various forms the funeral can take. The final CHOICE will ultimately be yours.

A ceremony can be held, prior to a burial, either at the family home, funeral home, parish church or simply at the graveside. In case of cremation it is usually at the crematorium. There is no "set in stone" format for a funeral held at a graveside. Anyone in the family or a representative can conduct it, in any of the above places with the exception of a church which would have it's own Minister who would meet the family before the service whether or not the deceased was a church member. We are always happy to support family wishes, the CHOICE is yours.

The following list is matters which will require consideration by anyone starting to make funeral arrangements:

	Choice of Funeral Director/Family to make arrangements
	Burial or Cremation. Which Cemetery or Crematorium
	Where deceased will rest till funeral
	Coffin. Traditional/Eco-friendly/Willow/Bamboo
	Own clothing to be provided/funeral gown
	Embalming or not
	Day and Time
	Modern/Traditional Hearse. Limousine/Own Transport
	Who will conduct Funeral Service? Minister/Officiant or Family
	Choice of Music, Readings, Eulogy, Poems
	Death Notice/Newspaper
	Special inclusions in Ceremony. Religious/Masonic/Other
	Floral Tributes and or Donations to Charity
	Wake or Funeral Tea. Venue and timing
	Memorial/Inscription or later interment of Ashes

It is the principal duty of a relative to register but this task can be carried out by the person responsible for making the arrangements, the occupier to the premises where the death occurred or a person present at the death.

Unfortunately we cannot register the death on your behalf, but if you are unsure of what to do we will gladly advise you or indeed accompany you to the registrar's office.

Where appropriate and available the following documents should be
taken to the registrar's office at the time of registration.

	The medical certificate of cause of death (this would normally be given to you by the deceased's doctor or by the hospital in which the death occurred).
	The deceased's birth certificate.
	The deceased's marriage certificate.
	The deceased's national health service medical card.

Registering a death is a simple procedure of questions and answers which will be conducted by the registrar. Some of the information you will be asked for are noted below.

	The full name and surname (maiden name if the deceased was a married woman).
	The usual address of the deceased.
	The date and place of birth of the deceased.
	The date and place of death of the deceased.
	The occupation (husband's name and occupation if the deceased was a married woman).
	If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse.

You should be aware that the registrar will charge you for any copies of the Certificate of Registration of death extract that you require.



There are many things which require attention following a death, so to try and help you we have listed a few below.

We at Abercorn pride ourselves on knowing we can help when you need us
most. Remember you always have CHOICES.

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