Funeral Arrangements
Funeral Arrangements
Experiencing the loss of a loved one is widely acknowledged as one of the most traumatic times in a person's life. We at H. Johnson & Sons Ltd will help and guide you through the funeral arrangements. We are here to follow your wishes. You and your family can either come into our Office or if you prefer one of our staff can come and see you in your home to make the necessary arrangements.
Funeral Service
Funerals are often based around family traditions or religious preferences. Alternatively you may choose a more individual funeral.
Instructions may have been left in a funeral plan or Will as to the arrangements of the funeral. If not you will need to decide whether to have a cremation or burial service.
The funeral service could take place at the deceased's church, or temple or other place of worship. The conclusion of the funeral would usually take place at the crematorium or graveside.
Alternatively you may wish to conduct the whole service at the crematorium or cemetery. If the full service is at the crematorium chapel the religious leader would still conduct the service, an organist is available if required, alternatively tape or C.D. for families personal choice can be played. CD's or tapes must be handed to our office 48 hours prior to the funeral.
We would take instructions from the family and would then contact the minister of the church or another religious leader on the family's behalf. Most ceremonies include some kind of spoken word, which may take the form of a religious service, prayers and a tribute about the deceased's life, poetry and/or hymns. A member of the family may wish to participate in the service.
Hygienic Treatment
Modern embalming is a hygienic treatment which temporarily preserves the natural appearance of the deceased to ensure that relatives and friends who view the deceased have a comforting remembrance of their loved one. It may be helpful for you to provide a recent photograph of the deceased so assist us with their preparation.
Coffins & Caskets
We offer a wide range of coffins and caskets, including a variety of veneered or Solid wood designs. The coffins come complete with brassed fixtures and fittings, lining and gown of your choice. You may prefer to dress the deceased in their own clothes, which you can supply and we shall be happy to do that on your behalf.
Private Chapels of Rest
Many people who have suffered bereavement find comfort spending time with the deceased. Relatives and friends often wish to visit the deceased and pay their last respects before the day of the funeral. Our chapels of rest are available for visiting during normal office hours or by appointment at weekends and evenings.
Floral Tributes
We have a large colour brochure containing many different floral arrangements suitable for funerals and use a long-standing local florist. We can organise floral tributes for the funeral on your behalf.
Donations in Lieu of Flowers
If relatives prefer, donations may be collected in lieu of flowers, we are happy to organise this on the family's behalf. We usually hold the donations open for four weeks following the funeral, we then write to the family advising them of the total amount received. One week later we would send all monies to the nominated charity asking them to forward the family an official receipt.
Obituary & Acknowledgement Notices
Many families like to prepare an Obituary Notice to go into the local paper, advising family and friends of the details of the funeral. Families can either place this themselves or our staff would be happy to assist with the wording, presentation and will forward the proposed notice to the relevant paper.
After the funeral an Acknowledgement Notice can be placed in the paper thanking family and friends, maybe hospital staff, doctors etc. and again our staff would be happy to assist.
Cost of a Funeral
Whilst arranging the funeral we will advise on costs and charges to be incurred. The funeral account itself is divided into two separate charges to be incurred.
Firstly the Funeral Directors costs which includes attending to necessary documentation, collecting deceased from place of death, private viewing in our chapel of rest and care of deceased throughout, Hearse, one limousine and (our bearers ,if required) our professional and personal service throughout.
The Disbursements are the costs incurred for example, doctors fees for completing the necessary paperwork involved in a cremation service, crematorium fees, ministers fees for conducting the service, obituary notice, thanks notice for the paper etc.
A breakdown of expenses will be provided on your initial visit when making the necessary arrangements. The final bill will be forwarded to the family approximately 14 days after the funeral and payment will be due 30 days after the date on the invoice.
Help with Funeral Expenses
You may be entitled to some sort of contribution towards the funeral expenses if the person making the funeral arrangements is receiving one of the following benefits: Income Support, Housing Benefit, Family Credit and Council Tax Benefit. You would need to contact your local DWP.
Simple Funeral
We offer a Simple Funeral. This includes bringing the deceased into our care, care of the deceased and arrangements of the funeral service. We would provide a hearse and our staff at a service at either the nearest crematorium or cemetery, at a time to suit us and we would supply a simple coffin. A Simple Funeral does not include embalming, spending time with the deceased in the chapel of rest or any additional vehicles.
