NC Funeral Directors
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FAQs

We have added the answers to our most frequently asked questions below. Please contact us if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for.

General

What should I look for in a Funeral Director?

You should always read their reviews. Anyone who cannot show patience, sensitivity and understanding should be avoided. A reputable funeral director will generally have positive reviews and build an empathetic rapport with you upon first contact.

The vast majority of funeral directors are not actually qualified as funeral directing is not a regulated industry in the UK. At NC Funeral Directors we are fully qualified funeral directors.

The funeral director’s role is to provide care of the deceased, offer guidance and support to the family, make arrangements for the funeral service, and offer specialist advice. A professional funeral director will aid you at this difficult time by taking on the practical aspects of arranging a funeral.

Finance

What does the Funeral Director’s Professional Service fee cover?

Below are details of our service costs, please refer to the services pages for more information.

  • Direct Cremation – £1295
  • Standard Cremation – £1995
  • Traditional Cremation – £2195
  • Traditional Burial – £2395
  • Horses hearse funeral – £1395
  • Pre Planned Funerals – POA

Additional costs needed for some services. Cremation Fees between £499 and £1000 – Celebrant/Officiant £244

  • Supervising your agreed arrangements before, during and after the service
  • Being present on the day to oversee the occasion and direct all attendees
  • Discuss your individual requirements and take instructions either at the funeral premises or your home
  • Reposing your loved one into care efficiently and punctually
  • Mortuary facilities for the deceased to rest in which are modern and climate controlled
  • Offering chapel of rest facilities so you can visit the deceased prior to the funeral
  • Completion of all necessary legal documentation and payment of external funeral costs required for the funeral to legally proceed
  • Providing adequate pallbearers to carry the coffin
  • Provision of funeral vehicles and any necessary personnel
  • To ensure any additional extras such as funeral wreaths, music and funeral service stationery are coordinated correctly

A pre-planned funeral involves an individual making arrangements for their own funeral. This involves working closely with their Funeral Director before paying for the funeral outright or agreeing to a monthly plan.

Everything in the prepaid funeral plan will have been taken care including dealing with paperwork, organising the service and transport arrangements and even choosing a funeral director. The most beneficial element is that costs are fixed and protected against any price increase.

The specifics of what is covered by funeral insurance varies among providers and policies but in general funeral insurance provides your family with a lump sum to cover the costs of your funeral in the event of your death.
 

Cremation

What is cremation?

A cremation is where a person body is cremated on their own and the ashes are returned to you afterwards, unless you wish for them to be scattered in the crematorium grounds.

Neither is a legal requirement for cremation. However, you will need to be cremated in some kind of coffin or casket, even if it is a cardboard or wicker alternative.

Yes. Cremation does not preclude having a visitation period and a funeral service and families appreciate the opportunity say goodbye during a cremation.

About the Funeral

What is a funeral?

You should always read their reviews. Anyone who cannot show patience, sensitivity and understanding should be avoided. A reputable funeral director will generally have positive reviews and build an empathetic rapport with you upon first contact.

The vast majority of funeral directors are not actually qualified as funeral directing is not a regulated industry in the UK. At NC Funeral Directors we are fully qualified funeral directors.

The funeral director’s role is to provide care of the deceased, offer guidance and support to the family, make arrangements for the funeral service, and offer specialist advice. A professional funeral director will aid you at this difficult time by taking on the practical aspects of arranging a funeral.

Whether it is the weekend or at night, if someone dies at home, the first thing to do is to call their GP, or the NHS helpline 111. A doctor will then come to your house to assist you. You will then need to contact the funeral director on 01253 420450 or 01772 876 878 to arrange for us to come and collect your loved one.

If someone dies away from home, the funeral director will coordinate transportation with a local funeral home in the town where the person died. Should you not be able to contact a funeral home in the area where the person resided, a funeral home in the town where the person died will make the necessary arrangements.

We can arrange to collect your loved one from anywhere in the UK and bring them back home.

  • Friends and family
  • Employer
  • Funeral director
  • Landlord/Mortgage provider
  • Financial organisations: banks and building societies, credit cards, insurance, accountants
  • Pension providers
  • Home care
  • Health professionals
  • Solicitor
  • Utilities: TV, water, electricity, gas and broadband

The answer to this question depends on the circumstance and location of the death. If the person has died at home and there are no suspicious circumstances. The funeral director will be able to attend 24 hours a day to collect your loved one once the death has ben certified by a nurse or duty doctor. If person has passed away in hospital then the hospital will allow the funeral director to collect the person once the death has ben registered. Finally if the coroner has been involved in the death then once the coroner has finished their investigation, they will send release paperwork to the funeral director allowing the person to be collected. In any case it is best to speak to the funeral direct as soon as practically possible as we will be able to assist you through the process.

  • Within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Within 8 days in Scotland

A memorial service occurs when the body is not present and has these main features: gathering of attendees, the service itself and reception. In contrast, a funeral service contains much of the same structure although the deceased’s body is present at the service and there will the opportunity to say goodbye before burial or cremation takes place.

This is an extremely personal choice and if the deceased did not express their wishes, we would advise researching the different funeral types before making a final decision.

Yes. Some people choose to leave photos, write their own eulogy or decorate the coffin appropriately (Flag/ribbons). Personalisation is important and we will accommodate any of your requests.

No. Anyone can conduct a non-religious ceremony, however you may prefer to use a non-religious celebrant. The funeral celebrant will help you choose appropriate music and readings to personalise the funeral service to your taste.
 

There are hearse alternatives available but it is best to ask your funeral director about their suitability for the chosen route. Different cars, horse and cart or other personalised choices can be accommodated.

 

This varies depending on the type of service. A religious service will take longer but most standard funerals are between 45-60 minutes for the service allowing time either side for attendees to enter and exit the premises.

Embalming

What is embalming?

Embalming is a process where a persons body is preserved using embalming chemicals, the aim of embalming is to delay the natural process of decay and to restore a life like appearance. We always recommended to have a person embalmed if you intend to view as it often improves how a person looks, affording the deceased more dignity and gives greater flexibility on visiting them in the funeral home. We charge £100 for embalming.

Embalming chemicals contain pigments that enhance the appearance of the deceased by returning colour to their face and hands. When a person dies they naturally look a paler colour and will have sunken features, this can be upsetting to family and friends who visit them. The act of embalming aims to restore a person natural colour as well as making their features appear more life like. Its important to remember people can look a little different to when they where alive whether or not they have been embalmed.