When a loved one passes away, one of the first things you need to organise is a cremation service. If you’ve never done it before, finding the right cremation funeral services can be confusing. On the surface, it might appear that all cremation services in the UK are the same, plus there are so many to choose from.
To help you, at a time when you need it most, we’ve put together a checklist – here are our top tips on how to choose a cremation provider.
Planning a cremation service is a sensitive and emotional thing you have to do when a loved one passes away. There are so many decisions to make that it can be completely overwhelming.
Catherine, our Customer Experience Director at Pure Cremation, says: “The death of a loved one is among life’s most stressful experiences and in a lot of cases people are making funeral arrangements for the very first time in their lives. This means that every funeral firm has a duty of care to provide accurate information and support to these vulnerable customers, especially those engaging with customers via the internet.”
While it might be tempting to choose the first option you find, you’re more likely to find a cremation provider you feel comfortable with if you do some research first. You want to be certain they’ll deliver the funeral service cremation your loved one would have liked.
You’ll need to consider several different factors when doing your research – price and value for money, location and availability, funeral home cremation cost, and whether the provider is trustworthy. Follow our tips, and you’ll have all the answers you need to make an informed choice.
When you’re doing your research online, it’s not easy to get a real feel for the qualities and attitude of a funeral and cremation service. It isn’t always obvious, even with a local funeral home, and it’s all too easy to hide an online business’s nature and structure.
There are four key questions you should ask.
You’re more likely to trust a business if you know who the owners are. Nobody likes dealing with a faceless corporation, particularly when you’re dealing with something as sensitive and emotional as a cremation funeral service.
The cremation provider’s location is crucial, especially if you require a meeting to make the arrangements or wish to have a ceremony.
If you can’t find a premises picture on their website, then harness the power of Google maps and Streetview.
You’ll find our postal address and company registration details in the footer of our website pages. Our history and our HQ, Charlton Park Crematorium, are all easily found on our website.
This may not be at the address on the website but should be at an appropriate facility.
We look after everyone at our HQ in Hampshire, in the same building as the customer care team. Being able to say (truthfully) “Dad is here with me... ” makes a huge difference.
You might want to witness the coffin’s committal to the cremator, and after the ceremony, you might choose to leave the ashes at the crematorium. The ashes might be scattered in the gardens of remembrance or placed in a columbarium. It would be reassuring to know that you can visit if you want to.
While we arrange the cremation by phone and email, our lovely grounds are open to visitors 7 days a week and you can make an appointment to speak with a member of the team.
Choosing an experienced and professional funeral provider will ease the burden and stress when arranging a funeral for your loved one.
Here at Pure Cremation, our founders have more than 30 years’ first-hand experience of caring for the bereaved and the people that matter to them. Our wider team has many years’ experience in every aspect of a funeral, from transporting the deceased, arranging funerals, and managing crematoria.
It’s always a good idea to compare the cost of a cremation service. Funeral and cremation service UK packages can vary considerably. When you first get in touch, the initial price may seem very reasonable. However, there may be a long list of additional costs you want to include if you’re going to get the cremation service you want for your loved one.
You must understand precisely what you’re paying for and why. Considerations include the following.
Doctors’ certificates for cremation are often missing from the headline price but apply in at least 70% of cases (doctors’ fees don’t apply in Scotland). Some providers also charge extra for the return of the ashes.
Pure Cremation is committed to price transparency. All prices are clearly displayed on our website – and the price for a direct cremation covers everything from the collection from hospital to hand delivery of the ashes. Add £250 for a collection from non-hospital settings, any time, day or night.
Many families don’t understand the options they have when they select cremation. They might also forget some essential details such as memorials, visitations, urns, and other keepsakes.
Some providers might use this knowledge gap to their advantage by either cutting corners, hiding costs, or both.
Here at Pure Cremation, this is all we do, so we won’t sell you a more expensive service. We DO check that you understand what we don’t offer...and if we’re not right for you, we’ll say so.
Some firms only collect the deceased during office hours or from a hospital. We have a team on duty 24/7, all year round. We come as quickly as you need us – whether that’s within a couple of hours, or we can wait a couple of days if you want more time to say goodbye.
Any mention of VAT will indicate that you are dealing with a broker or marketing company. Real funeral providers don’t have to charge VAT as they are providing a VAT EXEMPT service.
Our wonderful staff performs the collection, care, cremation, and return of the ashes. Every family we look after wants a very simple cremation but with the same standards of care for their loved one and the same expert advice and support with paperwork that they’d get at the best funeral homes.
Most families want to know the date. We always telephone and email the information at least two working days before the event. All unattended cremations take place at Charlton Park Crematorium.
There are various cremation services to choose from, as well as different cremation funeral providers, and cremation packages. An increasing number of people are choosing a cremation without a funeral service, for example.
The cost of dying will depend on the type of service you select, and it’s best if you make this decision before choosing the best cremation service provider.
Your options include:
You want to work with a trustworthy cremation company, and the best way to determine this is to get in touch and make arrangements to meet them or call. You’ll be able to discuss the details of the funeral cremation service and ask any questions. A trustworthy and reliable cremation provider will also offer advice and help if there are aspects of the cremation you’re unsure of.
It’s always sensible to compare the prepaid cremation service plans of selected cremation providers. One provider may appear to be cheaper than another, but do they offer the same service? Check exactly what is included in the price, as sometimes there might be a hidden cremation services cost.
You should also make sure that the prepaid plan is safe by ensuring the provider is registered with the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA). This is a voluntary organisation that regulates UK Prepaid Funeral Plan Providers.
From July 2022 the Financial Conduct Authority will enforce new regulations and only those companies that have been properly authorised by the FCA will be allowed to sell pre-paid funeral plans of any kind.
In the UK, providers who offer Direct Cremation to the public should follow a code of practice. Here at Pure Cremation we have developed our own code of practice. This policy document addresses obligations in four key areas. These are our:
You want a cremation provider to be sufficiently experienced. A reputable provider will be able to offer guidance, tips for arranging a funeral, information on grief counselling, and additional resources for their clients.
We know how important it is for our clients to have all the necessary information. We make it a priority to be here when you need us most, to offer help and advice, whether you need our services now, or if you’re planning for the future.
Some cremation providers will have online reviews from previous clients. Reviews are an excellent source you can use if you want to establish trust. What other families say about their experience with a company can give you some valuable insight.
We are very proud of our great reviews, which all relate to the arrangement and execution of Pure Cremation services.
Death and funeral wishes are not a comfortable subject for people to talk about with their loved ones. We all know facing death is inevitable, but we still prefer to bury our heads in the sand. If you have any preferences, such as your choice of cremation provider, you must let your family know.
If you have a clear plan in mind, you should make the necessary arrangements. Funeral pre-planning is a sound decision to make. It saves your loved ones the stress of arranging your funeral. Your family will know exactly what to do. Not only that, but pre-planning also fixes cremation service at today’s prices. This means your family won’t have to pay any more in the future.
There are many reasons why you should plan ahead. Get in touch today and we’ll help with the arrangements.