When should I call the funeral director?

When someone dies, you should aim to call your Funeral Director as soon as possible, after you have called the doctor. This allows for you to arrange for the deceased to be collected and to be brought into our care as soon as they are ready.

What does a funeral director do?

We take care of all aspects of administration with the registrar, councils, and coroner (if necessary), completing and submitting all paperwork and paying any relevant fees. We transport, take care of, and prepare the deceased for viewing, offering a private viewing room and a funeral venue if required. On the day of the funeral, we make all arrangements and coordinate transportation, vehicles, staff, officiants, cemetery / crematorium staff, the service and interment.

Burial vs Cremation?

Personal preferences will usually decide Burial or Cremation. Traditionally in Northern Ireland, a burial will usually take place 3-5 days after death in a new grave or an existing family plot.

For cremation, the local crematorium is Roselawn Crematorium, Belfast, although the new crematorium at Dough Road, Newtownabby can also be chosen.  Normally it will be 7-10 days in advance from the time of passing. We will arrange the additional doctor and extra paperwork required if cremation is chosen.

There will be a difference in Council fees depending on whether the deceased was a resident of the city / borough in which the cemetery or crematorium is located. We can provide information on this, with current fees.

What help is there for funeral payment?

Should you be eligible, Funeral expense payments and Bereavement Support Payments are available from the Government. For further details see below. We are here to help you through this difficult and distressing time, so please do not face affordability concerns alone. We can offer payment plans to work with your financial circumstances.

How much does a funeral cost?

Funeral costs will vary depending on a Cremation or a Burial and what is included in the funeral. For an accurate funeral cost, please contact one of our offices.

If a loved one has died, how do I find out if they had a funeral plan?

The deceased or a family member should have documentation for the funeral plan. If unsure, please contact us and we will confirm if there was a funeral plan.

What is embalming?

Embalming is the process where a body is treated using preservatives to slow down the effects of natural deterioration. The embalming process helps by making the person appear restful and can even help with the effects of disease or other causes of death. Embalming helps to achieve a natural and comforting lasting image of your loved one when viewed in the coffin (if an open coffin is chosen).

Who do I contact if someone has died on holiday?

If someone has died while on holiday, please contact our offices for further advice and we can arrange repatriation.