When the death certificate has been issued by the Registrar, you will also be given a certificate authorising the funeral.
The choice of a firm of funeral directors is important as you should feel comfortable and confident with them. They may be known to you personally, may be recommended by a friend, your GP or religious adviser or may just have a good reputation in your area.
Local funeral directors
Download a list of local Funeral Directors (1 page, 7kb, PDF)
Or alternatively go to the on-line Yellow Pages - where you can search for local Funeral Directors.
The Funeral Standards Council, the National Association of Funeral Directors and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors all have a code of practice and should give you an estimate of costs - their own and those fees they will pay on your behalf and add to the account. You can ask for this estimate in advance and it's a good idea to ask different firms to quote so that you can compare costs.
The municipal funeral service
The Municipal Funeral Service is a service provided, at low cost to the customer, by Hardmans Funeral Services, 7 Rochdale Road, Bury, Telephone: 0161 764 4072. Go to the Municipal Funeral Service web pages for more information
More information
National Association of Funeral Directors
Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
Related information
Your funeral director can make all the arrangements for the funeral, burial or cremation, religious or secular service. The funeral director can also advise on all the procedures and documents needed to register the death. Go to our 'Registration of deaths' web page
If you are considering a headstone most cemeteries will advise to wait for a period of approximately six months before placing it. However, we suggest you contact your preferred choice of monumental mason as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delay after this waiting period. Go to the 'Monumental Mason Scheme' web page for more information
