When the time comes

Publicanman

Hi there.

This post may not be what some of you are expecting to find here, but it will be relevant to all of you at some future point and is purely my and my father’s experience of the cost of a funeral.
After the breakdown of a thirty year relationship and being evicted from his home, I moved my father to the outskirts of Birmingham where I could visit and provide a level of support on a regular basis.
During the last 18 months my (disabled) father enjoyed care home life as well as he could with the support of some really committed personal carers and endured at least 15 visits to hospital as an in- patient.
My father passed away (83, a good age for someone of his generation) on February 16th this year. We had discussed his funeral preferences many months before, so there was no debate to be had when the time came. (in his words) “Don’t spend any more than you have to, box me, burn, me and sprinkle me on the river, that way a little of me will be everywhere”.
My very supportive wife took on sourcing an undertaker with the task of collecting Dad from the hospital, storing, and delivering him to the crematorium. Those contacted virtually all came in at around the £3800 mark. Hearse extra! Then we came across a company called Pure Cremation in Bromsgrove. They don’t offer a service, (my father was not a religious man by any means, this is something that they suggest you can arrange at another venue such as the wake) but you can be present at the crematorium when the coffin is lowered. The crematorium, doctors fees and a basic coffin is included, and the cost, £1100. That’s a saving of more than two and a half thousand pounds. Dad, who never had a great deal of money, would have been proud.
I must point out that I am in no way associated with Pure Cremation, and the service they offer may not be what some people are looking for. But for those of you who feel that funeral directors charges may not reflect value for money for the service they provide, may want to consider this option. They operate over most of the UK and their website can be found on the internet .
Dad will be going down the river this coming weekend, but not sprinkled. I have a three foot model longboat in which his ashes are interred. All the family are traveling from other counties and country’s to be there when we set it alight and send him off down the river.

poppystar

Thank you for this information - there was a previous thread on here about Direct Cremation and it is also something in the news recently with several celebs opting for this way of cremation.

I'm coming around to the idea - although I fancy a firework rocket farewell rather than a long boat! I'd rather friends and family gathered for that with a glass of champagne than have a service. And £2000 worth of saving is a lot of champagne

It sounds that you are doing your Dad proud and wish you a good farewell celebration Viking mode!

lisa110rry

This has been a very interesting post to read. You seem to have been a most dutiful son, carrying out what your father would have wished, and sending him to Valhalla in a way which is dignified, thoughtful and unusual.

lemontart

interesting, looking into prepaid options at mo - and it ain't cheap here is a link containing more info on this http://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-disposal/

Pollycat

Coincidentally, This Morning featured a slot on the cost of funerals yesterday and this option was mentioned:

Publicanman wrote: »

Then we came across a company called Pure Cremation in Bromsgrove. They don’t offer a service, (my father was not a religious man by any means, this is something that they suggest you can arrange at another venue such as the wake) but you can be present at the crematorium when the coffin is lowered. The crematorium, doctors fees and a basic coffin is included, and the cost, £1100. That’s a saving of more than two and a half thousand pounds. Dad, who never had a great deal of money, would have been proud.
I must point out that I am in no way associated with Pure Cremation, and the service they offer may not be what some people are looking for. But for those of you who feel that funeral directors charges may not reflect value for money for the service they provide, may want to consider this option.