Funeral Director

bylromarha

Hi Xenon

So sorry for your loss.

I would agree with whoever said ring round a few and get a feel for them.

I lost my mum last November and I rang up 4 funeral directors who were well known good independents in the area. I rang 4 as mum raised me to get best value for the money and knew she'd want me to do it for her funeral.

The first one was wonderful - very understanding on the phone. Explained things I wasn't sure of, spoke of how the day would go. Nothing was too much trouble for him, very patient explaining things, and all I rang to do was get a quote.

The second just rattled off a price list.

The third was okay - sounded very factual in discussing it all.

The fourth was a little short with me as I didn't know exactly what I wanted 3 days after mum's death.

Went with the first. Apparently I told sis at the time "They sound like they have tissues on the table". I was right - when we went to discuss our requirements, a huge box of kleenex was there.

My mum had a post mortem. Her PM wasn't conducted until the Wednesday, but we appointed the funeral director on the Monday. They were very used to this (he'd explained all this on the phone), so when we went in for our chat to discuss the arrangements on the Monday he rang the coroners office while we sat there to get an idea of timescales so he could book in the funeral date.

So I'd suggest doing the ringing round now. Explain that a PM is happening, choose and appoint a funeral director, then let them do all the worrying about getting the PM results and dealing with the coroners office so you don't have to.

I can honestly say I felt like a massive weight had been lifted after we met our funeral director 3 days after mum's death as they knew what they were doing, took all the "What do I do about..." from us and let us get on with trying to sort out heads round the other stuff. So much stress removed.

All the best - and keep on keeping on.

lavalamp

Xenon wrote: »

Times like these are stressful enough - but still waiting for the post-mortem to take place,seems there is a backlog.
I am assuming this is common or i'm i wrong in that regard.

It is common I think - my mother in law's post mortem was nearly a week after death. I actually think this helped us to get our heads together before having to make too many arrangements. I can't imagine how we'd have coped if we'd had to start arrangements immediately. I hope you're holding up - it's such a difficult time.

Xenon

Again thanks for the replies - sorted the funeral just loose ends to finish.I must admit feeling a lot better,but i know there will be good times and bad.

NAR

Well done, because although the Funeral Director's are very helpful, it is very stressful making sure you cover all the bases. Try and relax until the post mortem is completed.