Funeral Arrangements - help/advise needed.

[Deleted member 478]

The penniless aunt of a friend of mine died yesterday. He flew in from SA this morning and is now faced with arranging a cremation on a very limited budget. Can he get her body taken directly to a crematorium or does he have to go through Rippoff & Sons Funeral Directors (who want over £1000 for arranging the cremation)?

 

[mikewilkes]

Maybe the CAB or the Salvation Army might be able to advise him where to go for help??

 

[Deleted member 478]

What is the CAB??

 

[mikewilkes]

Citizens Advice Bureau - if it still exists.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Thank you

 

[BrendanS]

No you don't have to go through through a funeral directors. The following should help

http://www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/registerservice/deaths/arranging_a_funeral.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/bereavement/practical_diy_funeral.shtml

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/what_to_do_after_a_death.htm

http://www.globalideasbank.org/natdeath/ndh6.html

also, where to buy coffins directly
http://www.funeralsuk.com/Alternative_Green_Funerals/DIY%20.htm

 

[jhr]

Almost all - if not all - crematoria in the UK are run by Local Authorities. It would be worth ringing up the Local Council and asking to be put through to whoever deals with them (often Parks and Recreation Depts, ironically). I'm sure they would talk your friend through what to do.

I'm sure it is possible to organise a cremation without using an undertaker. It might also be worth Googling the Natural Death Centre who, I seem to recall, deal with carboard coffins and the like, and who also publish a book on do it yourself funerals.

 

[stephenh]

If dead penniless aunt was in receipt of Social Security benefits then a Funeral or Death grant will be available - contact local SS office

 

[Deleted member 478]

Excellent info. Thanks all. Have now been able to point him in the right direction.

 

[silvertop]

If she lived in her own house ( not rented) you can bury her in the back garden, planning permision not required but must tell estate agent when selling. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[LeonF]

Yes but this apparently gives relatives visitors rights . Unless he is a sole relative, new owners can be disconcerted by relatives turning up demanding to see auntie under the new rose bed.

 

[Forbsie]

Only a suggestion... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

http://irish.typepad.com/irisheyes/2004/12/dead_wife_coffe.html

 

[A1Sailor]

Sorry to hear of your friend's loss. There is a small amount of IMPORTANT paperwork required before cremation is permitted, which the undertaker would normally take care of; don't know if you can do this yourself. While I'm not for one minute suggesting that Auntie died of anything other than natural causes, the paperwork confirms that the death wasn't suspicious (cremation would destroy evidence) and also that she didn't have a cardiac pacemaker - cremation would destroy the crematorium! Speak to the mortuary attendant.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Thanks for that. She died in a hospital and AFAIK, the hospital have provided all the necessary paperwork.

[ QUOTE ]
...she didn't have a cardiac pacemaker - cremation would destroy the crematorium!

[/ QUOTE ] You're joking I hope? What if she had died in say a housefire or car crash where the car bursts into flames?

 

[A1Sailor]

Exaggerating but not joking. Cardiac pacemakers must be removed before cremation.

 

[Rowana]

Yes, that was one of the questions I was asked when my Mother was cremated 4 years ago. She didn't have one, so there was no problems.