Frequently Asked Questions - Haseldine Funeral Services
Arranging a funeral can feel overwhelming, particularly when you are also dealing with grief. At Haseldine Funeral Services, we are here to guide you through each step, answer your questions and take care of the practical arrangements on your behalf.
Whether you need help arranging a funeral for someone who has died, or you are thinking about planning your own funeral, we are always happy to talk things through with you.
What should I do when someone dies?
What you need to do depends on where and how the person died.
If the death was expected and occurred at home, a doctor or medical professional will need to formally confirm the death before we can bring your loved one into our care. If the GP surgery is open, you should contact the surgery and request a doctor. Outside normal surgery hours, you can contact NHS 111.
If the person died in a care or nursing home, the staff will normally arrange for the death to be formally confirmed.
Once the death has been confirmed, you can contact Haseldine Funeral Services when you feel ready. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If the death was sudden or unexpected, the Coroner may need to become involved. The police will usually attend on the Coroner’s behalf and arrangements will be made for the person to be taken to hospital while the circumstances and cause of death are investigated.
We can liaise with the hospital and Coroner on your behalf and bring your loved one into our care once we have the necessary clearance.
When can I contact Haseldine Funeral Services?
You can contact us at any time, day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for advice and assistance.
You do not need to have all the answers before you call us. We can talk you through what needs to happen and explain the choices available to you.
What happens when I first contact you?
Our first priority is to listen and understand what you need.
We will guide you through the immediate practical arrangements and help with the necessary legalities and formalities. We can then discuss the funeral itself, including whether you would prefer a burial, cremation, traditional funeral, direct cremation or another type of service.
There is no need to make every decision immediately. We will take things at your pace and help you make choices that feel right for you and your family.
Do I have to come to your funeral home to arrange a funeral?
No. We can arrange a funeral with you at our premises or, where appropriate, in the comfort of your own home.
We understand that visiting a funeral home is not always convenient or desirable, particularly during such a difficult time.
What types of funeral do you offer?
Every funeral is different, and we will help you create a service that reflects the wishes and personality of the person who has died.
Depending on your wishes, we can arrange:
- Traditional funerals
- Cremations
- Burials
- Direct cremations
- Woodland burials
- Religious services
- Non-religious services
- Personalised and themed funerals
- Memorial services
We can also help arrange additional elements such as funeral flowers, catering, transport, order of service sheets and memorial masonry.
What is a direct cremation?
A direct cremation is an unattended cremation without a traditional funeral service at the crematorium.
It can be suitable for families who do not want a formal funeral ceremony, who prefer to hold a separate celebration of life, or who simply want a simpler alternative.
With a direct cremation, there are no family members or officiant present at the cremation itself. The cremated remains are then returned to the family.
If you are considering a direct cremation, we can explain exactly what is included and discuss whether it is right for you.
Can we have a personalised funeral?
Absolutely.
A funeral does not have to follow a particular format. We can help you create a service that is personal to the individual, incorporating their favourite music, readings, photographs, stories, hobbies, interests and beliefs.
Whether you want a traditional service or something completely different, we will listen to your wishes and help make the arrangements accordingly.
Can the funeral be religious or non-religious?
Yes. We can arrange both religious and non-religious funerals.
We can help you find an appropriate minister, celebrant or other officiant to conduct the service and work with you to plan readings, music, hymns, prayers and eulogies.
Can we choose the music for the funeral?
Yes. Music can be an important and very personal part of a funeral.
You can choose hymns, traditional funeral music or songs that remind you of your loved one. We can discuss the available options with you when arranging the service.
Can we choose the coffin?
Yes. There are a range of coffin and casket options available, with different materials, designs and finishes.
We can talk you through the choices and help you select something appropriate for your wishes and budget.
Can we see our loved one before the funeral?
Yes. Where appropriate, viewing can be arranged in our chapel of rest.
We will discuss this with you beforehand and make sure you understand the options available. If you have particular wishes regarding how your loved one is cared for or dressed, please tell us. We will always do our best to accommodate your requests.
Who will look after my loved one?
We treat every person in our care with dignity, respect and compassion.
When bringing someone into our care, we use a specially converted, discreet estate car and specialist equipment to make the process as dignified as possible.
If you have particular wishes about how your loved one should be cared for, please let us know. We will always listen and do our best to accommodate them.
How do I register a death?
If the death was expected, the GP will normally complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Once this is available, you will need to arrange an appointment with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for the district in which the death occurred.
There are specific time limits for registering a death, although these can vary where there is a delay in receiving the necessary documentation or where the Coroner is involved.
We can explain the process and help you understand what needs to be done.
How much does a funeral cost?
The cost of a funeral depends on the type of funeral you choose and the services you require.
There are a number of choices available, from simple or direct cremations through to fully personalised traditional funerals. Third-party costs, such as crematorium, burial and officiant fees, may also apply.
We believe you should only pay for the services you actually choose. We will explain the costs clearly and provide a quotation so that you can make an informed decision.
If you are concerned about the cost of a funeral, please speak to us. We can discuss different options and help you find an arrangement that is appropriate for your circumstances.
Do you offer low-cost or simple funerals?
Yes. We offer simpler funeral options for families who want to keep arrangements straightforward or are concerned about the cost.
A direct cremation is also available for those who do not want a traditional funeral service.
We can explain the differences between the options and help you choose the most appropriate arrangement.
What are funeral disbursements?
Disbursements are costs that we pay to third parties on your behalf as part of arranging the funeral. These can include crematorium or burial fees, officiant fees and other charges.
We will explain these costs to you as part of the funeral quotation.
Can I arrange my own funeral in advance?
Yes. Planning your funeral in advance can give you peace of mind and allow you to make your wishes known to your family.
We can discuss your preferred type of funeral, music, hymns, readings and other personal choices with you.
Haseldine Funeral Services also works with Golden Charter to provide pre-paid funeral plans. These allow you to plan ahead and can provide protection for the funeral director’s services included within your plan.
What happens if I already have a funeral plan?
If your loved one has already arranged a funeral plan, let us know as soon as possible.
We can check the details of the plan and explain what is included and what arrangements need to be made.
Can you help with flowers and donations?
Yes. We can help arrange funeral flowers and can also assist with collecting and transferring funeral donations to a chosen charity.
Some families choose to request donations instead of flowers, particularly if their loved one had a favourite charity or cause.
Can you arrange funeral transport?
Yes. We can arrange appropriate funeral transport, including a hearse and other vehicles depending on your wishes.
We can discuss the available options when planning the funeral.
Can you arrange the wake or catering?
Yes. We can help you organise additional aspects of the funeral, including catering for the wake.
We can discuss your requirements and help you make suitable arrangements with the venue or caterer.
Can you help with memorials and headstones?
Yes. We can help arrange memorial masonry and headstones as part of the wider funeral arrangements.
We can discuss the different options and help you decide what is appropriate for your loved one.
Do you provide repatriation services?
Yes. We can provide repatriation services throughout the UK.
If you need to arrange transportation following a death away from home, please contact us so that we can discuss your circumstances and provide an estimate.
Do I have to know what kind of funeral I want before contacting you?
No.
In fact, it is completely normal not to know what you want.
There can be a lot to think about, and you may never have arranged a funeral before. Our role is to explain the options, answer your questions and help you make decisions at a pace that feels comfortable.
There is no such thing as a silly question. If you are unsure about something, simply ask us.
Can I talk to someone before making any decisions?
Of course.
If you have recently experienced a bereavement and simply need some advice about what happens next, please get in touch. We are happy to talk through your circumstances and explain the options available.
There is no obligation to make arrangements immediately.
Why choose Haseldine Funeral Services?
Haseldine Funeral Services is an independent, family-owned funeral director serving families across Bedford, Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell and the surrounding areas.
We understand that every family is different. Our aim is to provide a caring, personal and professional service while giving you the freedom to arrange a funeral that reflects your loved one’s life and your family’s wishes.
From the first conversation through to the funeral itself, we are here to support you.
Still have a question?
If your question isn’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our experienced team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will be happy to offer advice, answer your questions or talk through funeral arrangements with you.
Haseldine Funeral Services
192 High Street
Cranfield
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK43 0EN
01234 757 529
You can contact us whether you are arranging a funeral now, planning ahead or simply looking for advice.
