Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When someone dies, it can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to be unsure of the next steps. Here’s a simple guide to help:

1. Check if the death was expected or sudden
• If the person was in hospital, care home, or hospice, the staff will usually guide you.
• If the death was at home and unexpected, you may need to contact a doctor or the emergency services.
2. Contact a doctor
• A doctor will confirm the death and provide a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), which is needed for registration and funeral arrangements.
3. Inform close family and friends
• Reach out to those who need to know and ask for support if you need help making calls or decisions.
4. Choose a funeral directors
• Funeral directors can guide you through every step, from care of your loved one to arranging the funeral, paperwork, and notices. Most are available 24/7 for support.
5. Decide where your loved one will be cared for
• They will be looked after with dignity and respect in a secure, climate-controlled environment until the funeral. You can usually choose the location.

The simple answer is no. A funeral is a ceremony connected to the process of disposing of a deceased. 

However, funerals fill an important role for those mourning the loss of a loved one. They provide a way for family and friends to share thoughts and feelings about the death and often are the first step in the healing process. They are the traditional way to recognize the finality of death. 

The type of ceremony you have can these days can range from the very traditional to a highly personalized service. What it will do is help begin the healing process.

Overcoming the pain associated with the passing of someone loved is never easy, but a meaningful funeral or tribute will help.

By law, all deaths in England and Wales must be registered, normally within five days (unless by prior arrangement with the registrar).

When a death which has been expected occurs at home or at a nursing home, the doctor who has been treating the deceased should be contacted. Provided the deceased has seen a the doctor during their final illness (within the previous 14 days) the doctor or a colleague will either attend to confirm that death has occurred, or will give permission for the deceased to be transferred to a funeral firm’s premises, if it is your wish for this to happen. You can then contact the funeral firm of your choice, who will attend to transfer the deceased to its premises.

Disbursements are the fees we pay on your behalf to external providers including:

• crematorium or cemetery fees;
• fees for Ministers/Church/Organist;
• removal of headstone / memorial;
• purchase of a grave
• death notices and acknowledgements;
• floral tributes;
• catering;
• special requirements such as release of doves; Highland Piper

The coroner may be involved in instances where the death is sudden, unexplained or when the person has not been seen by a GP within 14 days. Look here for more details.

Funeral arrangements may be made in the usual way, but a date cannot be confirmed until the coroner permits us to do so. Look here for more details.

No, provided the next of kin is aware or has appointed you to make the arrangements on their behalf.

Assistance may be offered in certain circumstances for example, when the applicant is eligible to any DWP benefits. Look here for more help on what the Government offers as help towards funeral costs. 

In our limousines we can carry six people, although four is a more comfortable number.

Our Saloon car can carry four people, with three being a more comfortable number.

Yes. If a child requires a car seat in a normal vehicle you must provide and install your own car seat.

If it folds flat, then we can accommodate it.

It is possible for family members to carry the coffin if they are physically and emotionally capable on the day. We cannot do a combination of our staff and family bearers.

Yes, the flowers can be taken away by the family.

Yes, we can offer experienced male and female Funeral Directors.

Costs will be discussed when making the funeral arrangements and a written confirmation will be provided before the funeral.

Embalming is a process that gently preserves a person, helping to slow the natural changes that occur after death. It can help them appear peaceful and at rest and may lessen the visible effects of illness or other causes of death.

Many families find comfort in embalming, as it helps create a natural and comforting image when spending time saying goodbye.

Embalming is not required by law, unless your loved one needs to be taken abroad for the funeral.

A celebrant is a trained person who leads ceremonies such as weddings or funerals. They offer flexibility, giving families the freedom to include faith-based elements if they wish, or to keep the ceremony non-religious.

A humanist is someone who follows a non-religious outlook, guided by reason, kindness, and respect for others. Humanist celebrants are a particular type of celebrant who create ceremonies that are entirely non-religious, carefully and thoughtfully shaped to reflect the life, values, and wishes of the person being remembered.

For traditional, normal funerals, families can choose the date and time of a funeral, usually with the support of a funeral director. Together, a time can be arranged that feels right for those involved, while fitting with the availability of the crematorium, cemetery, or chosen venue.

Direct transfer funerals do not give the family any choice of crematorium to use or date and time of the cremation.

We are available 24 hours a day and have arrangements in place to receive calls at any time. This means that whenever a loved one dies, support and guidance on the next steps are available when you need them most.

We can be contacted on 01621 855552 at all times and on our office telephone numbers during normal office hours.

Until the funeral, your loved one will be cared for in a secure, climate-controlled environment that ensures dignity and respect. The location of care can be chosen by the family, and we have offices in Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch, South Woodham Ferrers, Hullbridge, Chelmsford, and Braintree.

A prepaid funeral is a way to plan and pay for a funeral in advance. This can help ease the financial and emotional burden on your loved ones when the time comes.

By arranging a funeral ahead of time, you can choose the services and details you want, giving peace of mind that your wishes will be followed.

Yes. You are welcome to record your funeral wishes with us at any time.

This allows you to make choices in advance, giving peace of mind and easing the burden on your loved ones. We will guide you gently through the options, listen to your preferences, and ensure your wishes are clearly noted and respected. Arrangements can be simple or detailed, and you can take your time deciding.

Funeral disbursements are the third-party costs paid on your behalf as part of a funeral. These are separate from the services provided by the funeral director and usually include items such as:

• Fees for the Crematorium, Church or Cemetery
• Flowers or obituary notices
• Clergy or celebrant fees
• Orders of Service

Funeral directors handle these payments for you to ensure everything is arranged smoothly.

Yes, in most cases.

Keepsakes, letters, or photos can be placed inside the coffin to make the service more personal.

If the coffin is to be cremated, certain items cannot be included for safety reasons, such as alcohol, batteries, glass, or shoes.

Yes. We believe that handling donations on behalf of families is an essential service and so we can take care of donations in memory of your loved one.

• At the service, we can collect donations for you.
• We can also set up an online donation page, allowing all contributions to go directly to your chosen charity, including Gift Aid where applicable.
• Alternatively, donations can be sent to us by post. We will provide you with a list of donors and the total amount received, then forward a cheque to the chosen charity shortly afterwards.

Probate is the process of applying for the legal right to deal with a deceased person’s affairs, sometimes called “administering the estate.”

If the total value of the estate is over £15,000 (2026) and held across multiple accounts, you will usually need to apply for probate to manage the estate correctly. Even when the deceased is a husband or wife, if they had any accounts in their own name, the surviving spouse must apply for probate.

Yes, it is possible to handle probate yourself if you are familiar with the legal process and confident completing all the required tasks. However, administering probate can be time-consuming and sometimes complex.

Handling probate yourself also carries some risk, as you could be personally financially responsible for any mistakes.

For details of probate in England click here