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Cost of a simple funeral?

My Dad who is 87 next year wants a very simple funeral. Basically for his body to carted off and cremated with no eulogy, music anything. Doesn't even want a hearse. He will have sufficient savings to cover a very basic funeral.
Is it possible for a basic funeral involving no eulogy, service or anything and straight from the freezer to the crematorium? We cannot afford to pay for any funeral, not even our own.

Comments

  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler Hung up my suit!
    I refer you to the answer I gave on your other thread.
  • Surfer
    Surfer Posts: 361 Forumite
    edited 27 December 2012 at 11:33AM
    Thanks. I thought it may be better in a more appropriate forum and not sure how to close the other one. The last link you gave is very helpful.
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,562 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Check whether you may be able to claim a funeral payment - https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview

    I would talk to a few local funeral directors and get quotes from them. Funerals are really for the benefit of those left behind. Sometimes not having a ceremony can make it difficult for people to grieve properly. There's a reason why humans developed death rituals so long ago.

    There's also the option of paying monthly for a funeral plan.
  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler Hung up my suit!
    Surfer wrote: »
    Thanks. I thought it may be better in a more appropriate forum and not sure how to close the other one.
    The best thing to do is PM the board guide and ask for a move/merge.
  • Surfer
    Surfer Posts: 361 Forumite
    Mojisola wrote: »
    Check whether you may be able to claim a funeral payment - https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview

    I would talk to a few local funeral directors and get quotes from them. Funerals are really for the benefit of those left behind. Sometimes not having a ceremony can make it difficult for people to grieve properly. There's a reason why humans developed death rituals so long ago.

    There's also the option of paying monthly for a funeral plan.

    This may sound callous, but we don't grieve our dead like others as it has never been our nature. We will miss them and may shed a tear or two, but we like to believe that they are free of their body and have progressed to a better life. It is nothing to do with a religion, just personal beliefs. Thanks for the advice though.
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,562 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Surfer wrote: »
    This may sound callous, but we don't grieve our dead like others as it has never been our nature. We will miss them and may shed a tear or two, but we like to believe that they are free of their body and have progressed to a better life. It is nothing to do with a religion, just personal beliefs. Thanks for the advice though.

    No, it doesn't. As long as that suits you, that's the right thing to do.

    To be very practical, you can do most of the funeral yourself if you're up to it. You can buy a coffin online and keep it at home. If you're prepared to wash and prepare the body yourselves - as was always done at home in previous generations - then you don't need an undertaker. Whether you can avoid having to store the body would depend on how quickly you can arrange a slot at the crem. The coffin could be transported in an estate car.

    I would talk to the family firms of undertakers in case you need storage because they will usually be more flexible than the big companies. Find one who will be able to accommodate your father's wishes.
  • bluebag
    bluebag Posts: 2,450 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think the natural death centre has some links to 'disposal services' which may suit your needs. These offer removal and disposal of remains. I haven't any experience with them though.
  • Broomstick
    Broomstick Posts: 1,648 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Wasn't sure which thread to reply to.

    There might be some info of use on this website:
    http://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/

    They certainly have lots of links to alternative coffin suppliers who might be able to help with how to do DIY transportation. I would have thought that the most important things would be to try to stop a coffin from sliding around in the back of a van or estate car and to know how many strong people one would need to carry it from a to b.

    At a tangent, but in keeping with MSE, the site also gives a link to a wonderful design to make a bookcase to be enjoyed and used in one's lifetime but which can then be disassembled and turned into a coffin after one's death:
    http://www.williamwarren.co.uk/2009/10/shelves-for-life/

    B x
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    If going DIY check the local crematoria what they will accept the body in.

    Our local refused the lining of "coffin cover" in 2010.
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Surfer wrote: »
    My Dad who is 87 next year wants a very simple funeral. Basically for his body to carted off and cremated with no eulogy, music anything. Doesn't even want a hearse. He will have sufficient savings to cover a very basic funeral.
    Is it possible for a basic funeral involving no eulogy, service or anything and straight from the freezer to the crematorium? We cannot afford to pay for any funeral, not even our own.
    The most dignified and memorable funeral I have attended was at a crematorium. The undertaker asked everyone to stand for a minute's silence then gave the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death and that was it.
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
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