Information
I hope that this section will be useful for just about anyone, whether you are planning a funeral, in the funeral industry or just an interested person.
Below is an alphabetical list of common terms.
There are also some links (the blue buttons on the right) to other specific areas you might find useful.
Cause of death certificate
If the death is natural and expected, the deceased's GP (if the death occurred at home) or the Bereavement Office at the hospital will produce the 'Cause of Death' certificate - usually the next working day. You will arrange to collect this when it is ready and, from there, book an appointment to Register the Death.
In some circumstances, the Coroner will be involved, but your Funeral Director will be able to advise you.
Cemeteries and graves
In order for your loved one to be buried, you must own (or purchase) a plot and you must have the grave opened. There is a charge for each which varies from cemetery to cemetery. Your Funeral Director will be able to give you this information.
Coming to terms with your loss
The best therapy for helping you through the difficult times is talking and sharing.
If you don't have family or friends to help and are experiencing difficulties in coming to terms with your loss, contact your GP who can offer bereavement counselling on request.
You might prefer the help of a voluntary organisation such as Cruse Bereavement Care.
Coroner
The Coroner is an officer answerable to the Crown who has complete jurisdiction over all sudden and unexplained deaths. The Coroner's officers, aided by the police, carry out any necessary enquiries.
Cremation
There are crematoria in Wakefield, Pontefract, Dewsbury and three in Leeds. Directions on how to get there and where to park are here.
All these crematoria have waiting rooms, toilet facilities and free parking.
How does cremation work? Do I get my loved one's remains back? See my blog post on the subject.
DOLS - Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards
Article 5 of the Human Rights Act states that 'everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be deprived of his or her liberty [unless] in accordance with a procedure prescribed in law'. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards is the procedure prescribed in law when it is necessary to deprive of their liberty a resident or patient who lacks capacity to consent to their care and treatment in order to keep them safe from harm.
Different rules apply in different areas. Your Funeral Director will advise you.
Funeral Director
The Funeral Director will take care of the day and ensure that it is everything you want it to be. They can help you with vehicles, flowers, newspaper notices and much more.
Before your Funeral Director can confirm burial or cremation, you will need to get a 'Cause of Death' certificate and register the death.
They will also recommend an officiant for you depending on your needs (see also Officiants).
Green Certificate
This allows the funeral to take place and is issued by the Registrar when the death has been registered. It should be given to the Funeral Director.
Funeral plans
These days, more and more people are choosing to take out a funeral
plan. This ensures that most of your funeral costs are paid at today's
prices and your family have much less to worry about in the event of
your decease.
If you look at the chart here, you can see how average funeral prices
are escalating and could be over £5,000 by 2020.
Buying a plan locks in the costs.
Any funeral director will be able to advise you about a plan.
Music during the funeral service
Most crematoria these days have a system to play the music of your choice through an internet program.
You can choose your music and then let your funeral director know what you have chosen and they can book it for you.
For more information about this, see my blog post on the subject.
Officiants
Officiants are the people who conduct the funeral service (see also Funeral Director).
You can have an officiant who is religious (for example a priest, vicar, rabbi, imam) or you can have a humanist (who will not use any religious elements). Your third choice is a celebrant like myself who will provide a service entirely to your requirements, including any religious or non-religious elements you want.
For my blog post about other celebrants, go here.
Registering the death
You will have to register the death of your loved one with the registration service which is relevant for them. Your Funeral Director will be able to tell you which one and how to contact them.
This will normally have to be done within 5 days of the death.
The Registrar is an official of the General Register Office responsible for the registration of births, deaths and marriages.
What to do with cremated remains
You can choose to have the cremated remains strewn at the crematorium or they can be returned to you.
Some people prefer to have a permanent place to visit (like a grave) and some prefer to strew the remains in a spot which has special meaning for the deceased or the family.