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.
A death which occurs in Northern Ireland can be registered in any District Registration Office and should be registered within five working days, to allow funeral arrangements to be made. This is except for deaths which have been referred to the coroner and we will advise you of the process then.
When registering a death, an appointment needs to be made with the local Registrar’s office. 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
You will need to take the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death to the Registrar and complete Form GRO 73 https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Death-Registration-GRO-73.pdf or complete the relevant details at the Registars. 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.
- 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 28.05.2019)
These will be needed by the executor or next of kin when sorting out the deceased person’s affairs.
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.
- Form 36/BD8, a certificate of Registration of Death issued for social security purposes if the deceased received a State Pension or benefits.
- 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.
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 left to do. The following list includes examples of people to inform about the death and of documents and equipment that may have to be amended or returned.
It is not a comprehensive list covering everyone’s individual circumstances.
- The Bank or Building Society – Accounts may need to be closed and any joint accounts need to be amended
- Solicitor / accountant
- The Inland Revenue
- Housing Executive or Landlord
- The Family Doctor, hospital, dentist, chiropodist etc.- Any outstanding appointments should be cancelled
- National Health Service Equipment – To be returned
- Any Employer, School, College or University
- Social Services and Social Security Office – Form 36 is needed for the Social Security Office. The Registrar of Death provides this white form free.
- Car Insurance – (Documentation will have to be changed as you are not legally insured to drive if the policy is in the Deceased Name
- Credit Card Companies – (Cancel cards and pay up accounts
- Pension companies / life insurance companies / Financial advisor / stockbroker
- Electricity, telephone companies
- Hire purchase companies
- Any professional associations
- Milkman/newsagents/postman
- Pre booked holidays or events
- Vehicle Registration Documents – To change name of ownership
- Library Books and Tickets
- Club Membership Cards / Season Tickets – A refund may be issued
- Television Licence – (To change name or a refund may be issued
- Rented equipment i.e. TV, video