The death of a loved one can be an emotional and challenging experience as everyone grieves differently, so planning a funeral can become incredibly overwhelming. This is why our Funeral Directors across our Dundee and St Andrews branches work around the clock to provide 24/7 support and will be there to advise you and hopefully alleviate some of the stresses associated with the funeral planning process.
Below, we have outlined some of the common steps which take place during the funeral planning process, though please note every funeral we arrange is unique and we take the time to learn more about your loved one to ensure a suitable send-off that reflects their life, passions, and religious or spiritual affiliation (if applicable).
Arranging A Meeting
Our Dundee and St Andrews Funeral Directors are available 24/7 via email or call – you can find the details for your nearest branch on our contact page, by emailing enquiries@jamesashton.co.uk or by filling in our contact form. We additionally accept messages via our Facebook page as well as our Google Maps locations to help make it as easy and accessible as possible to reach us.
If your loved one was local to Dundee but you’re not familiar with the area, we can provide further assistance and arrange for our team to meet you in person. An up-to-date list of regions we operate across as well as transport links to Dundee (should you prefer to visit our locations) is available on our website.
The Initial Meeting
Your first meeting with a Funeral Director will be an opportunity to discuss your loved one’s wishes and to begin planning the funeral. Your Funeral Director will ask you about the deceased’s religious beliefs, their personal preferences, and the type of funeral they may have wanted. They will also discuss the different options available such as burial or cremation, and the total cost of the funeral, as well as any additional fees where applicable.
For example, if your loved one was a devout Christian, they may have wanted a traditional funeral with a church service; but if they were not religious, they may have wanted a more secular funeral with a humanist service (and please do not worry about deciding everything on the same day – you will have plenty of time to consider the options you’ve discussed with your dedicated Funeral Director before making your choice).
At James Ashton & Son, we’ve been helping families in and around the Dundee area for over a century and we’re devoted to continuing to provide a caring and professional service to ensure a fitting final send-off for your loved one. Our dedicated teams are able to cater to all religious or secular requirements for both burial and cremation ceremonies (we can also make the arrangements with your chosen crematorium or cemetery on your behalf).
The Legalities
Understandably, legal paperwork is likely the last thing on your mind during this time, which is why your dedicated Funeral Director will complete all necessary regulatory paperwork on your behalf within the designated time period. This includes registering the death with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and obtaining a death certificate. (When someone passes away in Scotland, their death must be registered within 8 calendar days except in special circumstances, e.g. should the Procurator Fiscal’s involvement prevent this deadline from being met.)
For example, if your loved one died in a hospital, the hospital will usually take care of registering the death. However, if your loved one died at home, you will need to contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
The Funeral Arrangements
Once the legalities have been taken care of, you can begin to make the funeral arrangements. This includes choosing a date and time for the funeral, as well as a location (whether it’s a place of worship, a crematorium, or a private gathering space). You will also need to confirm the type of service you’d like, and whether you would prefer a burial or cremation. The Funeral Director will also be able to help you with all of the logistics, including arranging transportation and route planning.
For example, if you choose a burial, you will need to choose a cemetery or gravesite, select a suitable coffin, and decide whether you would like to display a memorial or monument. If you choose a cremation, you will need to choose a crematorium and cremation coffin, as well as decide if you would like an urn to hold the ashes. The Funeral Director will be able to help you with all of these decisions and recommend a standard or bespoke selection of coffins and urns for you to choose from.
The Funeral Service
The funeral service provides an opportunity to celebrate the life of your loved one and provide them with a final send-off. Your Funeral Director will work with you to create a service that is personal and meaningful for your loved one and reflects their wishes and beliefs. This may include choosing music, readings/poetry, flowers, tributes, decorations, and more.
For example, if your loved one was a fan of classical music, you might choose to have a classical music selection at the funeral. If your loved one was a poet, you might choose to have a poem read at the funeral (perhaps even their own work). The Funeral Director will help you to make these decisions and to create a service that is truly personal, memorable, and special.
Following The Funeral Service
Alongside coordinating the funeral, your Funeral Director can also provide additional support and advice following the funeral service itself. This can include arranging the collection of your loved one’s ashes, or helping you to deal with the practicalities of death, such as making arrangements for the deceased’s possessions. They will also be there to offer support to you and your family during this difficult time and may be able to signpost you to local counselling or support services in your area to help you cope with the grieving process.
For example, your Funeral Director may help you to arrange for the deceased’s belongings to be donated to a charity that supports a specific cause, and/or they may help you to find local mental health and grief support groups. Your dedicated Funeral Director will be there to support you in whatever way you need – please do not hesitate to ask as all queries are treated as strictly confidential.
Lastly, here are some additional tips for planning a funeral:
- Begin the planning process as soon as possible – this will give you time to make all of the necessary arrangements and avoid feeling rushed or pressured (especially when it comes to the formalities of the legal paperwork).
- Be open about your budget – this will help your Funeral Director to make recommendations that are within your financial means and may also be able to advise of additional financial support you may be eligible for, e.g. the Scottish Government offers a Funeral Assistance Fund can provide around £1,800 towards the cost of a funeral service (subject to eligibility criteria).
- Read reviews for local funeral directors to determine the type of service you are likely to receive – while not all online reviews will be positive, overwhelmingly negative reviews or many, recent negative reviews with detailed comments can be a cause for concern.
- Don’t be afraid to get multiple quotes from a handful of funeral directors – this will let you compare offerings (at James Ashton & Son, we can match quotes – enquire to find out more).
Planning a funeral can be a daunting task, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Your dedicated James Ashton & Son Funeral Director will be there to help you along every step of the way! They will work with you to create a funeral that is personal and meaningful, and they will be there to offer support to you and your family during this difficult time.