Questions customers often ask about funerals
A funeral helps the bereaved to understand the reality of death while providing family members and the community with a caring and supportive environment. It allows them an opportunity to express and share their grief, whilst saying goodbye to their loved one.
As professional Funeral Directors we are here for you, before, during and after the funeral to support and give guidance.
We listen, plan, compassionately advise and act on your behalf. Through discussions with you, we arrange and create a fitting tribute to the life of your loved one. We will liaise with doctors, clergy, cemeteries/crematorium, hospitals and other service providers, give guidance and complete any necessary paperwork and take care of all matters regarding the deceased. On the day of the funeral, we ensure that everything is carried out in an efficient and dignified manner.
The Funeral Director will explain how the Registration process takes place. The document the Register requires completed can be found here along with other guidance.
When
A death which takes place in Northern Ireland must be registered, usually before a funeral takes place except where the coroner is involved. In which case it is permitted to register after the funeral, this may be up to 6 months after the death, depending on the circumstances. The coroner’s office will keep you informed and can issue an interim death certificate if required for any legal purposes.
Where
At any registrar’s office within Northern Ireland. You can contact the Causeway Coast and Glens offices on either Ballymoney Registrar 028 2766 0200 or Coleraine Registrar on 028 7034 7034 or by email registration@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk
What Will You Need
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is issued by a Doctor who has treated the deceased within 28 days before the date of death. If the deceased had not been seen by a doctor within that period or where the death was not caused by a natural illness the case should be referred to the Coroner.
What Will It Cost
There is no cost for registering a death. The only cost will be for Certified Copies of Entry (if required). You will be able to purchase Certified Copies of Entry at this time at £8.00 per copy (as at 01/09/23) These will be needed by the executor or next of kin when sorting out the deceased person’s affairs.
Who Can Register A Death
- Any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the details required to be registered (this includes a relative by marriage)
- A person present at the death.
- A person taking care of the funeral arrangements.
- The executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate.
- The occupier, at the time of death, of the premises in which the death occurred
- A person finding the body or taking charge of the body
Once the registration is complete, the registrar will issue the following forms:
- Form GR0 21 giving permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation to be made.
- A BSFS1 leaflet regarding the DfC Bereavement Service and;
- Any Certified Copies of Entry purchased.
Everyone has different funeral requirements. We always try to accommodate every request and here you will find different types of funeral options.
In the past funerals have generally been from the deceased’s own home or church but an increasing number of families use our Funeral Home. This may be used for the service or it can be where the deceased rests until they are taken to a church or return home. In the past we have arranged for funerals to take place in venues such as a football pitch and a hotel.
Most families visualise a typical funeral to include the local removal of the deceased from the place of death, professional fees, preparation and care of the deceased, provision of a coffin, use of Funeral Home and a hearse with Funeral Director to conduct and oversee on the day of the funeral.
In order to facilitate this, our price for the above starts from £1995:
There will be unavoidable costs for third party services such as:
For Burial
- At a Causeway Coast and Glen Council Cemetery (April 2020)
- Purchase of a single grave £180 and grave opening charge £320
- Churchyard grave opening £300 plus any church fee
For Cremation
- Roselawn Crematorium Charge £642
- Doctors’ fees where applicable £164
- Additional journeys will be necessary to facilitate the cremation at Roselawn Crematorium
Additional charges for other items selected such as: other Funeral directors services, newspaper notices, flowers, gratuities etc.
Choosing a coffin is a personal choice and we are here to assist you in making the right one. Our coffin selection room displays a wide range of coffins and caskets for you to choose from, including many that you may not have considered. We have a selection of traditional coffins including solid wood, veneered wood and foil veneer options and a contemporary range that offers a more personalised option. Click here to view Coffins available.
Flowers are associated with funerals as a way of paying tribute to the deceased and expressing sympathy to the deceased’s friends and family.
There are a wide variety of different funeral flower arrangements and you can choose specific types of flowers or colours, perhaps in line with the preference of the deceased if known.
If you prefer donations in lieu of flowers to be given to your favourite charity, we will administer the collection, provide you with a list of contributors, and forward the monies to the charity on your behalf.
Go to the Donations page.
Orders of Service may contain personal hymns and photographs and can be taken away as a keepsake of the day.
It is customary to place a death notice in the obituary section of the newspaper of your choice. The notice may include details about your loved one and give information about the funeral service. This notice is added to our web site and may be personalised by the addition of photographs.
View current Funeral Notices.
It is customary to have refreshments after a funeral. We can advise on various catering choices.
A choice of condolence books is available, in which names of those in attendance at a funeral may be recorded. A memory board may be used to display family photographs. Reserved seat markers can be supplied for use in churches.
A canopy which provides cover for immediate family members and a wireless PA system are both available for use at home or the graveside.
We understand what a difficult and confusing time it is when a friend or relative dies away from home. With our experience in planning for the repatriation to and from Northern Ireland, we are able to coordinate the practicalities and documentation necessary for bringing your loved one home.
After the funeral has taken place, you will find that there are many things to do.
The following list of people/organisations that may be relevant but not necessarily comprehensive for everyone’s circumstances.
- Banks / Building Society
- Solicitor / accountant
- Inland Revenue
- The Bereavement Service, to report the death of someone receiving Social Security benefits and apply for any applicable benefits – contact 0800 085 2463 or via the nidirect web site.
- Employers/School
- General insurance companies – house contents, travel, medical etc
- Pension companies / life insurance companies / Financial advisor
- Local council if the deceased paid rates
- Passport Agency to cancel and return passport
- Mortgage provider
- Utility companies, electric, TV, internet subscriptions
- Housing Executive or Landlord if deceased rented their property
- Credit card providers/Store cards
- GP’s, hospital, Social Worker, day care centre, dentist, chiropodist etc.– Any outstanding appointments should be cancelled
- Driving license- return to DVA
- Vehicle Registration Documents – (To change name of ownership)
- Car Insurance – (Documentation will have to be changed as you are not legally insured to drive if the policy is in the Deceased Name)
- Pre booked holidays or events.
- Any professional associations / social groups