WHAT TYPE OF FUNERAL
Burial or Cremation?
If you've purchased a pre-paid funeral plan you've probably already made your decision.
Choosing the method to care for your loved one after death is a personal decision, and in some cases, a religious or cultural one. Whatever your preference, we encourage you to consider including each of the elements in the funeral ritual as they are an integral part of the healing process from moving from life before death to life after death.
Burial
If you already own a grave plot, then check you have your title deeds.
If there is no grave in existence and a new grave is required, this can be arranged directly with the cemetery or through the funeral director. New graves are expensive and the costs can increase significantly in some areas if the deceased lived outside the cemetery authority's boundary. The family organising the purchase of a new grave should know what costs are before finalising the funeral arrangements.
Burials in churchyards are subject to rules and regulations of the church authority concerned. These rules are often very strict in relation to the type of headstone or memorial that can be placed on the grave following the funeral. The restrictions on churchyard memorials may include no black granite or polished memorials and can extend to what is written on the headstone. Those responsible for the funeral arrangements should be aware of what memorial restrictions are enforced before the interment takes place to avoid any unnecessary distress later on.
Cremation
Crematoria are different in their procedures, but generally most crematoria incorporate a service chapel. You may wish to use this if you don't want to hold the service in a church or other location. However, if you do decide to hold the service in a Church or other location, you may choose to use the crematorium for the commital only. You may wish to play music at the service.
Humanist
Humanists believe in reason and common humanity rather in religion. The focus of a humanist funeral is on the person who has died. The funeral is dignified and warm, honouring and celebrating the life of the deceased.
There are usually personal tributes, poems or music instead of hymns and prayers. Humanists aim to give a sensitive, accurate and personal reflection of the deceased, believing that some standard funeral practices can be impersonal. A humanist officiant will perform the ceremony.
The officiant will visit the bereaved family to discuss what is required. This visit covers practical issues such as timing, choice of music, family contributions and the collection of material with which to write the tribute to the deceased.
At the funeral, the officiant will welcome the mourners and explain why a non-religious ceremony has been chosen. They may reflect on life and death through poetry or readings appropriate to the circumstances of the person who has died.
The main part of the funeral is the tribute to the deceased which is offered either by the officiant or a family member or friend.
Green and Woodland Funerals
In general when speaking about green funerals we are referring to a meadow or woodland burial. Complemented by the use of a coffin made from biodegradable materials i.e. willow or chipboard. The green funeral option continues to grow in popularity and there are now many woodland burial sites all over the country. The environment of green burial grounds are kept as wild and as natural as possible. Memorials and headstones are not permitted, but often memorial trees can be planted to mark the grave.