Funeral Director

Xenon

My mother has just passed away and was looking for some advice.

Does anyone have any experience of funeral directors in Edinburgh that they can recommend.

I am lost at the moment and all alone in handling this.

I have no family (only child) and i do not know where her family is (brother,sister)
it was not a close family and they have not been in touch for many years.

My mother and i never discussed this - what she wanted etc.

So all at sea as to what to do right now

paddedjohn

A quick google brought up at least 7, take a look yourself and you may recognise a local one.

C_Mababejive

Think long established localish independent company.

nom_de_plume

My experience of using a local funeral director recently for my first time of arranging a funeral was nothing but good. They helped with many unanswered questions and made the whole experience more simple and painless than I ever thought possible.

NAR

Xenon, firstly sorry for your loss.

It is only natural to be all at sea and not thinking logically. Why not ask some of your friend's families and see have they any recommendations. I'm sure some of their families will have had bereavements and be able to help.

bongonaut

Have a chat with 2 or 3 FDs that you think you might like to use. Ask them to give you an overview of their funeral options and pricing. You may well find that you just get a better feeling about one particular firm. Confidence and rapport is important.

A good FD will guide you through options without pressure. Don't worry that you & Mum never discussed what she would have wanted. Her funeral will be ABOUT her, but it's FOR you and family & friends. Go with what you now feel most comfortable with.

lavalamp

So sorry for your loss.
My mother in law passed recently and we contacted a local independent funeral director as we didn't know what to do and he could not have been more helpful - he came to our house to discuss the arrangements and was very sensitive. I recommend asking a few local friends and neighbours to see if they can suggest someone, otherwise, take a look online and call a couple - you should be able to get a feel of what they're like as a company by asking some questions. Good luck.

paddedjohn

Another thing OP, don't be afraid to get quotes from a few different directors before deciding on one, some people feel that since it is a funeral it is somehow disrespectful to shop around. My Dad died 12 years ago and we got a good price from the coop, 8 days later my Mum died and we asked the coop for a discount since we were using them again and we got a good few quid off, you just have to ask, they can only say no.

scot88

Sorry for your loss. It is difficult thing to deal with especially if you have no-one to help you. Do ask about anything and everything you're not sure of and don't let the FD talk you into things that you really don't want or need. I have only,thankfully arranged one funeral, and I must admit I was taken aback slightly when the FD was a bit "pushy". Not what I was expecting.

Goldiegirl

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear that you've lost your mum.

My dad died in 2004 and my mum died in 2008' and each time the Co-OP did the funeral. It just seemed right, as my mum worked for the Co-OP for more than 20 years.

Funeral directors are used to dealing with people at this very stressful and upsetting time, and really do guide you through everything. I think if you just find one near where you live, and go in and speak to them and if you feel comfortable with them, use that firm.

They take all the worry away from you about arrangements, and the whole thing runs so smoothly.

Don't worry too much about finding her family at the moment. Just concentrate on what is important now - you, and arranging a funeral that you feel will be a lovely tribute to your mum.

My best wishes to you.

[Deleted User]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I am not sure what your situation is but by law all funeral directors must offer as an option a 'basic' funeral which relieves some worry about unaffordable funeral costs. http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/01/10-things-you-should-know-about--funerals-277448/

edited to add: Many apologies, I am sorry but I made a mistake: the main two trade associations have a code of conduct that members must provide a 'simple' low cost funeral option to all people using their services.