How Cheap can a Funeral Be !

jabberwock359

Hello. No one seems to have mentioned burial at sea. I looked into it and found that there are a couple of designated areas in the UK : Newhaven, E.Sussex or the Needles "spoil ground" off the Isle of Wight. (I think I fancy that one)
Details can be found on
http://www.facingbereavement.co.uk/BurialAtSea.html
they say that "If family members are going to organise a sea burial, then, in addition to registering the death, they will need to procure a licence for a burial at sea. This licence is free from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)."
They point out that a professional service will cost upward of £2000, but seem to imply that you could do it yourself (hire a boat?)
Bodies must be wrapped in biodegradable matierial eg cotton and suitably weighted (but not with synthetic materials, zinc, lead or copper - the last is a bit weird as every boat in the water relies on copper antifouling that 'bleeds' intentionally into the water) - and lastly the body must be certified free of fever or infection, and not embalmed (pollution considerations)
I reckon its possible with some boat handy next of kin...

Tabatha_Kitten

Not something you could really plan for though, unless you knew what you were going to die of. Guess if you knew in advance it wouldn't meet the criteria !!
I like the idea though.
Maybe I could put it in my will that this is what I want if I died of natural causes.
Glad its a 'specially designated area' though.
Imagine if I were out diving one day.......

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Toothsmith wrote: »

I believe the crematorium would prefer it if the body was wrapped up.

I think the minimum you could get away with is a couple of strong blokes, a couple of bin bags and a van/estate car. I would assume a valid death certificate would be needed at some stage in the disposal process as well.

I have told Mrs T.S that should she survive me, her task is to get the job done as cheaply as possible

My brother runs a cemetery/crem.You can do things as cheaply as you want as long as you cover all the legal channels.Death and disposal certificates ect.
You must have the body covered though for handling and I think you have to not have certain things like rubber soled shoes ect on the body and there are rules about pacemakers ect(I think these still have to be removed).
My funeral is going to be a wicker basket,going to keep these ready in the loft.No embalming or undertakers and daughters said they would hire a van or use estate car down to crematorium to pop me in the oven.No service.
They can then pick me up later for sprinkling.
I think it's only about £175 on average for a cremation fee today.So quite cheap.
Knowing people in the funeral service I think it's a rip off and would'nt waste my money.May as well do it cheaply.

Reverbe

Further to this thread, what happens when you die alone? I dont have any kids or partner and quite feasibly won't when I die.I have always wondered what exactly is done with people in those circumstances or does it depend on how and where you pass away?

squirrelchops

Hi all,

One thing to bear in mind regarding burial is ....is there anywhere for that person to be actually buried?

I only bring this up as cemetaries are becoming very full and in some parishes if you do not have a plot already 'ear-marked' and paid for in advance it can be difficult to get one at the time of death.

Mu Uncle wanted a burial but had no plot. My Mum didn't really want to be buried so offered up her plot for his body.....it was her way of not feeling guilty about not being bureid next to her late husband as prefeered a cremation with her ashes being scattered somewhere pretty.

What made it a bit macabre was seeing the coffin lowered into what should have been her grave.....however coming face to face with what could have been her burial raised a smile (odd family!)!!!!!!!!

Anyway, back to my point....securing a plot for burial can also be costly with the church requiring money for x,y,z.

It is one of those expereinces that you are never prepared for and only 'learn' the ins and outs when you have to organise it yourself as I discovered. Hence having a funeral director does really take the weight of yuur mind with it all if you can afford it.

squirrelchops

AND.......when my borther had a huge wood burning stove for his house my Mum said 'just throw me in ther when I go'!!!!!!!!!!!!

The thought of the cost of the funeral really makes her feel awful and in fact would rather she heated my borthers house up and was useful!!!

See...barmy family!!!

angie_baby

My mums funeral was quite cheap, i remember the co-op let me pay it off monthly with them.

The wake i did at my flat, as i didnt know how many people would turn up - this was a mistake as loads of people turned up - i could hardly open my front door when i got there. I made the sarnies/food.

nesssie1702

Reverbe wrote: »

Further to this thread, what happens when you die alone? I dont have any kids or partner and quite feasibly won't when I die.I have always wondered what exactly is done with people in those circumstances or does it depend on how and where you pass away?

Under the National Assistance Act 1948, there is a requirement for the local council to take responsibility for the dead if there is no-one who will arrange the funeral for them. The costs will be claimed back from the estate of the deceased.

If you've got any special requests, then make sure that you've had a will prepared and that a copy of it is kept along with other documents such as birth certificate etc - you might not be there to find them, but others will.

As part of my Environmental Health training, I had to visit a crematorium and cemetery. The coffins used in the crem are burnt along with the body. Because of emissions and legislation concerning them, then only certain things are allowed in the coffin. The coffins might look very ornate, but it's chipboard with a thin veneer on it to make it look good!

meanmarie

When my parents died in 1994, the funerals were identical, coffin, hearse, notices in paper, church services and burial in already bought plots....cost the equivalant of about £2000 today. We provided flowers and paid church (offering of your choice) and undertaker did the rest...my father had stipulated the type of coffin he wanted and my mother had the same. Mourners were invited to a local restaurant for lunch afterwards at an additional cost.

In Ireland it has long been common practice for people to have a 'death policy', a policy of a certain amount to be paid out to executor on death, usually towards the cost of funeral. I wonder if it is also common for older people in UK?

I looked at cost of ecofriendly coffin some years ago and it was more expensive than a 'traditional' one.

If someone has no relatives to organise their funeral, the solicitor responsible for drawing up their will is usually the person nominated to do so.
Marie

Kentishmaid_2

Reverbe Ooh, I arrange you funeral for you as long as you let me know type and music, and I'll make some sandwiches and bring sausage rolls, pork pie and sherry. I'm sure we could give you a good OS send-off. Or pop inot the local funeral diectors and ask for advice, I see others have posted sensible advice!

Kentishmaid