Choosing a Funeral Director
You will need to decide which funeral director to use. Friends, family, clergy or your doctor may be able to suggest reputable funeral directors and local firms will be listed in Yellow Pages. Remember that charges can vary considerably and you may wish to contact or visit more than one firm.
Most funeral directors are members of one of two trade associations:
- The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
- The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
See Other Websites for links to these associations' websites, where you can find full contact details and download codes of practice. These codes of practice mean that funeral directors must provide a price list on request and their final charge will not exceed any written estimate given to you without your permission.
Your funeral director will need the Disposal Certificate for Burial or Cremation, issued to you by the Registrar or a Certificate of Cremation, issued by the Coroner. However, it is not necessary to delay contact with your chosen funeral director, who will be able to advise you on local conditions that may affect the time and day of the funeral.
Check when the funeral director's account will have to be paid. Subsequently, when issued it should be itemised and clearly define the disbursements that have been paid on your behalf.
If you are not satisfied with the service you get, or the prices you are asked to pay, you could contact East Sussex County Council's Trading Standards Department. If the funeral director is a member of NAFD or SAIF, you also have the option of using their conciliation services.
The Funeral Ombudsman will investigate, free of charge, complaints made against funeral directors who are members of the Funeral Ombudsman Scheme. If you have a complaint you should try to resolve it with the funeral director, however, if you are unsuccessful, you can write to:
The Funeral Ombudsman
26 - 28 Bedford Row
London
WC14 4HL