When a loved one dies, selecting a funeral director is one of the first and most important decisions you will need to make. But as many people have never arranged a funeral before, it can be a difficult decision to make, so we’ve created this useful guide to help you make the right decision for you and your loved one.
What does a funeral director do?
Firstly it’s important to understand what a funeral director does, and how they can help you during this difficult and emotional time.
A funeral director helps families plan and arrange the funeral service on your behalf, providing practical and emotional support to you as the family.
A funeral director will guide you through the process, step by step, helping you decide on the funeral details, making all the arrangements, including managing paperwork and co-ordinating with venues and suppliers. They will also attend on the day of the funeral and ensure everything runs smoothly.
A compassionate funeral director will also provide emotional support and guide you through the funeral planning process with care and compassion, allowing you to focus on dealing with your loss and spend time with your family during this difficult time.
What to look for in a funeral director
When choosing a funeral home, consider their experience, reputation, and the services they offer, including cremation, direct cremation and burial options.
Also check whether they accommodate any religious or cultural needs.
Research online and check out whether the funeral home has a number of recent reviews. And also check for industry accreditations.
Ask about the funeral director’s experience and whether they provide clear, transparent information about costs. You can also ask about how your loved one will be cared for, including where they will rest until the day of the funeral.
A good funeral director will be happy to discuss all of the options available to you and the ways you wish to tailor the funeral with personalisation.
They will also be kind, caring and compassionate giving you all the time you need.
Questions to ask when choosing a funeral director
As part of your research, here is a list of questions to ask when selecting a funeral director and making initial enquiries:
- What services do you offer?
- What support do you offer for grieving families?
- Can we choose a cremation, burial, or a direct cremation?
- What is the timeline for planning and arrangements?
- What personalisation options can you offer?
- Where will your loved one be cared for until the day of the funeral, and what qualifications they have for the care of the deceased.
- Do you have a Chapel of Rest to visit your loved one?
- If you have particular religious needs, can they support you with this?
- Are your prices transparent and where can I find your price list?
- What are your payment options?
- Are you a member of an industry trade body, either National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)?
- Can you provide recent customer testimonials?
- Where will your loved one be cared for until the day of the funeral, and what qualifications they have for the care of the deceased.
Independent funeral directors vs. a national or regional chains
Within your local area, you may have a choice between an independent funeral director or a local branch of a national or regional chain. There may be certain circumstances where it is better to choose one type or another, and we encourage you to use the questions listed above to help you make your decision.
Things to consider;
- An independent funeral director will be best placed to know in-depth information about the area in which you wish to hold the ceremony and as such they will already have any additional contacts you may need.
- An independent funeral director may also be a family business, with experience and a reputation dating back generations.
- A local, independent funeral director may also be able to accommodate any bespoke or personalisation requirements better than a large national chain.
- A national chain of funeral directors can offer convenience and consistent service across locations, which may be especially beneficial if a death occurs away from home or if you have family members in different areas.
- A national chain may also have more resources for complex cases or specific needs.
- Some national chains may offer competitive pricing due to their larger scale and ability to leverage bulk purchasing, but this isn’t always the case.
What happens during the first meeting with a Funeral Director?
The first time you speak to a funeral director may be in the immediate hours after the death which is likely to be a very emotional and upsetting time.
The funeral director will talk to you about the first steps to take after the death, which do vary depending on where the death occurs.
The funeral director will arrange to bring your loved one into their care at the funeral home, and will ask you whether you want to visit your loved one in a Chapel of Rest to say your final goodbyes before the funeral.
The funeral director will arrange to meet you, either at the funeral home, or if you prefer, at your home. They will explain everything to you about what needs to be done to arrange the funeral. And will talk to you about all the options and choices you have to personalise the funeral.
There will be a lot of questions about your wishes for the funeral service and it helps to think about your choices in advance, even if this is just whether you wish to arrange a cremation, burial or direct cremation.
The funeral director may also ask if you wish to discuss bereavement care and have a confidential conversation with someone who is trained to understand how you are feeling.
Understanding funeral director trade bodies
It may surprise you to know that in England, Scotland and Wales, funeral directors are not currently regulated by the government, nor are they required to be members of a trade body. In Scotland, funeral directors are regulated and must follow a code of practice.
All funeral directors in the UK must comply with health and safety, and consumer protection laws.
A funeral director may opt to be a member of and accredited by a professional body such as the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), or The British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD).
It is a legal requirement for funeral directors to provide a general price list that clearly states the costs for all their services. This may be accompanied by a list of optional extras and breakdown of each of these and any third-party charges.
Selecting the right funeral director is essential for ensuring that your loved one’s final arrangements are handled with care, professionalism, and respect. By focusing on compassion, transparency, and expertise, a good funeral director will guide you through the process and offer support during an incredibly challenging time.
About Hillier Funeral Service
Hillier’s Funeral Service is a long-established family business, dedicated to serving families in and around Swindon. Hillier’s is a member of both NAFD and SAIF which demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest standards of care and professionalism.
As well as meeting our legal requirements to be open and transparent with our prices, we have also created a Funeral Costs Calculator that allows you to get an accurate estimate of the actual funeral you’d like to arrange for a loved one.
We are also unique in that we have our own beautiful service room at our Kingshill House funeral home in Swindon, which allows families to have a private and intimate funeral service without any of the restrictions of a crematorium or church service.
We are also very proud of our 5.0 star rating on Google and are thankful to our clients who are happy to write an online review and share their experience of using us with other families.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to us about arranging a funeral, or pre-planning your own funeral, please do not hesitate to get in touch.