Frequently Asked Questions

In our opinion there is no such thing as a standard funeral. Each and every funeral is individual to the family concerned. It is up to that family to pay their last respects and say their last farewell in the manner that is most suitable for them.

The following information is here to help answer questions that we are most often asked about the funeral and services associated with it.

When the funeral is a cremation, two doctors MUST attend and certify death. The FIRST doctor must be the doctor who attended the deceased during his/her last illness. The duty of the SECOND doctor is essentially one of confirmation. This doctor must not be related to the first doctor either through family or practice. For this service, each doctor makes a separate charge, which we, the Funeral Directors, usually pay on behalf of the deceased’s family.

In each limousine there is room for six people in the rear compartment and room for one in the front with the chauffeur.

On the day of the funeral the Funeral Director is there to help and guide you, your family and friends. If you are unsure of anything please ask the Funeral Director.

Yes, although we would ask that you contact us as soon as possible to ensure that it is safe to do so.

Yes, our Funeral Home is open and available to you at anytime. If you wish to visit our private chapel, please ring and inform us when you would like to come and we will be pleased to arrange for a member of staff to give you their full attention.

Yes, If you have a special request or would like a particular piece of music playing either as you walk into or out of the Crematorium Chapel, please let us know as soon as possible.

Yes, if donations to charity are requested in lieu of flowers, we will accept and list donations on your behalf and forward them to the charity of your choice.

No. After the service has ended, the coffin does not move until all relatives and friends have left the Crematorium Chapel. At West Suffolk Crematorium there are curtains that close at the head of the coffin.

No. There are strict laws regarding cremation. Nothing may be removed from the coffin before cremation without the permission of the Home Office.

Yes. The identity of the coffin name plate is checked by the Crematorium Attendant before it is placed in the Cremation Chamber. This only holds one coffin or casket at a time and again there are rules that must be abided by.

Yes. Once the cremation has taken place, the cremated remains are removed and left to cool before being placed in an urn. This urn is clearly identified as to whose remains they are.

1. You can place them in the Garden of Remembrance and you will be given a map stating where they are. There are various forms of memorial available at the crematorium, you will receive information on these from the crematorium after the funeral.

2. You may wish to purchase a grave just for the purpose of interring the cremated remains. This allows you to have a headstone and have other members of the family buried there in the future.

3. You may keep them at home in a special urn or memorial.

4. You may scatter them in a special place.

5. The remains may be buried in an existing family grave.

If you would like to discuss any of the above alternatives, please contact us and we will be pleased to help you.

We always ask mourners to fill out pew cards and these will be made available to you as soon as the service is over.

If you require catering after the funeral you can make your own arrangements or contact us to make a booking at a hotel or restaurant. Alternatively we can arrange catering and staff at your home.

The Funeral Account is sent to the person responsible for the arrangements or the solicitor, when necessary, about a week after the funeral.

If the grave is ‘earth’ rather than ‘bricked’ then the grave can take up to six months or more before the ground is firm enough to place the weight of a headstone. If the grave is ‘bricked’ inside, then it does not take as long. The actual time depends on the soil and the size of the stone.

For further advice please contact us, we will be pleased to help.