I would like to take this opportunity to thank both you and Neale for the sensitive and compassionate nature you conducted yourselves during this difficult time for us. The quality of the service provided eased our suffering. Everyone who attended my wife’s funeral had nothing but praise for the service at the crematorium and printed service cards.
Funeral arrangement guidelines
Funeral Arrangement Guidelines for Newbury & Berkshire
R.C. Smallbone Funeral Director's funeral arrangement guidelines. The following guidelines may be of some use if you are unsure what steps to take when you experience a bereavement.
Where to start
The first steps after a bereavement
The following guidelines may be of some use if you are unsure what steps to take when you experience a bereavement. If anything here is unclear, please call us and we will explain it properly, at whatever pace suits you.
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Death occurred at a hospital
If a death occurs in hospital, the doctor or coroner provides a medical certificate giving the cause of death. The next of kin is required to sign a release form which passes the deceased into the care of the funeral director. The funeral director at this point would commonly take the deceased to the chapel of rest.
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Death occurred at home
When a death occurs at home, if expected for some time, it is common to call the doctor who will come and issue a cause of death. Unexpected deaths at home are referred to the coroner to issue a medical certificate with the cause of death.
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Registering death
The death must be registered within five days at the local registry office, and requires the medical certificate to be presented. Once the death is registered, you will be issued with a green certificate which allows the funeral director to carry out the burial or cremation.
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Death certificate
The death certificate is provided by the registrar and is required to deal with the administration and financial issues of the bereaved including the will, property and money left by them.
What we take care of
You can rely on the funeral director to carry out roles including:
- Collection of the body of the deceased to the resting place, and transport to and from the funeral location in the desired method of transport.
- Working with the funeral venue to arrange all aspects of the funeral including floral tributes, transport for the close family members and friends of the deceased, catering and music.
- Provide and present the coffin of choice.
- Ensuring all the necessary payments and documents for the deceased are completed.
Visit our funeral services page to find out what R.C. Smallbone can do for you, or look through our guide prices before you decide. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss funeral arrangements or find out more.
Once the funeral has taken place, our bereavement care through SAIF Care is available to you free of charge.
Read more of the letters families have sent us on our feedback page.
Not sure what to do next?
Don't hesitate to contact R.C. Smallbone Funeral Directors to find out more about what we can do for you. You can call us today on 01635 40536.