Arranging a funeral. Age Scotland Information and Advice. Factsheet 27s April of s

Transcription

1 Arranging a funeral Age Scotland Information and Advice Factsheet 27s April of 20 27s

2 Factsheet 27s April of 20

3 Inside this factsheet 1 Arranging a funeral Is there a will? The funeral director The funeral service Burial Cremation 7 2 Financial help from the Social Fund 9 3 The duty of Councils and the National Health Service to pay for certain funerals The duty of local Councils Duty of the National Health Service 10 4 Planning and paying for a funeral in advance Planning Cost 11 5 Donating a body for medical research 11 6 Useful Contacts 12 7 Further Information 15 Factsheet 27s April of 20

4 1 Arranging a funeral 1.1 Is there a will? If you need to arrange a funeral, you should first check whether the person who has died has left instructions about the arrangements with relatives or a friend, in a letter or in a will. The instructions may state whether the body is to be buried or cremated explain how the person who died wanted the funeral to be conducted. If there is no will, the Next of Kin will normally decide the funeral arrangements unless the person who died had already made funeral arrangements or had a funeral insurance policy. Planning the funeral If it is likely that the death is to be investigated by the Procurator Fiscal you should not start planning a funeral until you have spoken to the Fiscals Office about when they are likely to complete their investigations and arrangements can be made. You don t have to wait until the death has been registered before arranging a funeral. Once the decision to bury or cremate the body has been made, you can start planning or discussing the arrangements with your funeral director. Once the death is registered, you can arrange for the appropriate form to be handed over to the funeral director. Funeral directors must have the appropriate death or cremation certificates before the funeral can take place; sometime they can obtain the death certificates on your behalf. When there are insufficient funds in the estate (the money, property and possessions of the deceased person) to pay for the funeral, you should read sections 4 and 5 of this factsheet before making any arrangements. This is important since the person who makes the arrangements with the funeral director may have made a contract to pay for the funeral, even though that person might not be a member of the family or the executor of the estate. Factsheet 27s April of 20

5 1.2 The funeral director You can make all the arrangements for a funeral yourself (see Section 3), but most people employ a funeral director. When someone dies at home, a funeral director can be called to take the body to a chapel of rest or mortuary as soon as the doctor has certified the death. If someone dies in hospital, that person may rest in the hospital mortuary, or the funeral director will arrange for the body to be taken to a chapel of rest. All National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) funeral directors can offer a basic simple funeral. This consists of the funeral director s services, provision of all the necessary staff, a coffin suitable for the purpose of cremation or burial, transfer of the deceased from the place of death (at least 10 road miles allowed) in normal working hours, care of the deceased prior to the funeral and provision of a hearse to the nearest crematory or cemetery. Fees If relatives cannot afford to pay for the funeral, they could seek assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Funeral directors understand that relatives will often seek quotations before they decide which firm to use as costs can vary. You should ask for a detailed written quote so you can be clear about the costs. The cost for a basic simple funeral excludes embalming, viewing of the deceased, cars and any fees or disbursements payable on the client s behalf. Work done outside normal hours might lead to extra costs. The Funeral Director s charges will not include things like church or crematorium fees, flowers or newspaper notices. If the person died a distance away from where the family wish the burial or cremation to take place, conveyance for the body can be a considerable extra expense. Funeral directors can advise on these extra expenses. Funeral directors will usually offer to arrange payment of the fees to the hospital, crematorium, or burial ground, and any relevant minister or religious leader on your behalf and will request reimbursement later, but you can make these payments directly yourself if you wish. Factsheet 27s April of 20

6 Many funeral directors will send you the bill and offer a discount for payment within a certain time. Funeral directors will understand if the bill cannot be paid until money can be available from the deceased s estate, but the circumstances should be explained when planning the funeral. The NAFD has a Code of Practice which its members must comply with. The Code should be displayed in their offices and copies should be readily available from them. You can see a copy on their website at The Association also has complaints procedure. The website gives a detailed explanation: The funeral service If you are seeking a religious ceremony you should contact the relevant place of worship as soon as possible. If you wish to have the services of a religious leader but do not know one in your area, most funeral directors will do their best to put you in touch with someone. You do not have to have a formal service or a religious service. A relative or a friend can say a few words. Societies such as the British Humanist Association and the National Secular Society may be able to arrange for someone to conduct a ceremony or can send a form of words that can be used. It is possible to have a green funeral service. Green funerals are designed to be simple and environmentally friendly. For example, a cardboard coffin may be used instead of one made with wood. You can get more information from the Natural Death Centre and they have publications you can download for a small payment. 1.4 Burial You need to find out if the deceased person has already paid for a lair in a churchyard or a cemetery and give the details to your funeral director. This may be mentioned in the will or be known to the family, solicitor, or religious leader. Factsheet 27s April of 20

7 If no lair has been purchased or can be traced, you will have to purchase a lair, fees will vary depending on the location. Funeral directors will be able to give you advice on how to do this. Most cemeteries are private or operated by local Councils. Local customs, regulations and costs regarding the purchase of lairs and the erection of headstones vary considerably. Burials at sea are possible but are not encouraged. They are also expensive and require a special licence from the Fisheries Research Services (FRS) Marine Laboratory. A licence will only be issued where a sea burial is considered appropriate and conditions will apply, for example, there are standard conditions on the manufacture of coffins. It usually has to take place far out to sea, at a site considered suitable by the FRS Marine Laboratory. There are now very limited locations in which a burial at sea can take place within Scottish waters. For FRS contact details. 1.5 Cremation Where the body is to be cremated, you need to think about:- Certification two cremation certificates are required, one signed by the family doctor and one signed by another doctor. A further certificate also has to be signed by a medical referee at the crematorium. The ashes - many crematoria include scattering or burying the ashes in a garden of remembrance in their fee. If the person who arranged the funeral does not wish to have the ashes, the crematorium has to retain them and subsequently dispose of them in accordance with an agreed arrangement, by burial, or by scattering on the land. If ashes are left temporarily but not collected within a reasonable time, the cremation authority should give that person or the nearest relative or the executor, two weeks notice of their intention to dispose of the ashes. Some places of worship will agree to scatter the ashes in the graveyard or bury them according to the family s wishes, but you should make enquiries about this. If you need a religious leader to conduct a service, the family or funeral director needs to arrange this. The crematoria will have a duty list of ministers and religious leaders. Factsheet 27s April of 20

8 Charges Crematoria will have brochures which should give details of their charges and conditions, information will also be available on their website. Fees include the Medical Referee s form, the use of a chapel and usually either recorded (and pre-selected) music or an organ. After the cremation the crematorium will send details of memorials and their costs. Memorials vary from books and stones of remembrance to planted bushes (often roses). The Cremation Society of Great Britain offers free advice and help on all aspects of cremation and publishes a leaflet What you should know about cremations, which explains what happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral. For contact details see Section 9. Other funeral arrangements Burial on Private Ground Private ground may be used as a burial ground with the owner s permission so long as such use would not be injurious to public health or a nuisance to neighbours. DIY Funeral Many people wish to arrange a funeral without the help of a funeral director and so Do It Yourself (DIY) funerals have become more popular. DIY funerals are generally less expensive since coffins are often made of cardboard or similar biodegradable materials. If you do want a DIY funeral, you still have to perform many duties described in Sections 2 and 3 above. If you wish, all the arrangements can be made direct with the crematorium or cemetery and religious leader. A coffin can be purchased from an undertaker or custom made. Some funeral directors will assist in such funerals by supplying a simple coffin and dealing with the documentation. Woodland Burial There are approximately 180 woodland burial sites (also known as natural or green burial sites) throughout the UK. On these sites, trees or wildflowers are planted on graves instead of headstones so the area will eventually become woodland. Again, funeral directors should be able to advise you. Factsheet 27s April of 20

9 You can find information about the Association of Natural Burial Grounds at or by calling the Natural Death Centre on Financial help from the Social Fund The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Fund can provide grants to people responsible for arranging a funeral, who do not have sufficient money to cover the cost and who are receiving certain meanstested benefits. The rules covering who can receive a grant and the amount payable are complicated. It is always advisable to check what help you might get before making any of the funeral arrangements. A claim should be made on Form SF200 Funeral Payment from the Social Fund available from your local DWP office. If the grant does not meet the whole bill, some funeral directors may accept weekly payments towards the remainder. It is difficult to get help from charities towards funeral costs but it might be worth approaching those organisations with which the deceased person, or their husband or wife, or partner, had some link. For example, if they were in the services, they could contact the Royal British Legion Scotland or the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen s families Association. Other welfare benefits If your husband, wife, civil partner of partner has died you should get advice about your entitlement to benefits and a full benefits check from an independent advice agency such as your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You may become entitled to different benefits or to a different amount. Some welfare benefits are changing from April 2013, call the Silver Line Scotland Helpline on if you want more information about Funeral Payments and who may qualify for help. Factsheet 27s April of 20

10 3 The duty of Councils and the National Health Service to pay for certain funerals In certain circumstances local Councils and the National Health Service (NHS) have a duty to organise and pay for funerals. This usually when there are no surviving family members or friends and where no advance arrangements have been made. 3.1 The duty of local Councils Local councils have a duty under section 50 of the National Assistance Act 1948 to make the necessary arrangements for the burial or cremation of any person who has died in their area if it appears that no other suitable arrangements have been or are being made. Local councils also have a duty under Section 28 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to arrange for the burial or cremation of any person who has died while in the care of, or receiving support from, that local council. They may be able to claim the cost of the burial or cremation from the estate of the deceased. Funerals carried out by public authorities are conducted with dignity and respect. The local council will usually have an agreement with a local firm of funeral directors who will arrange for a simple coffin and religious leader to be present. Some Council s prefer to carry out cremations rather than burials, but the wishes of the person or his or her relatives are normally respected. 3.2 Duty of the National Health Service When someone dies in hospital and there are no relatives or friends to arrange and pay for the funeral, the NHS will do so in accordance with the Health Service Guidelines HSG (92) 8. 4 Planning and paying for a funeral in advance Many people wish to plan their funeral in advance and to know that they have set aside the money to pay for them. Factsheet 27s April of 20

11 4.1 Planning If you are planning your own funeral, you may want to discuss the arrangements with relatives or friends, or leave a letter with them or in an obvious and safe place with other important papers, specifying the arrangements you want. You could also discuss arrangements with funeral directors in advance; the name of the funeral director can then be kept in a safe place with other important documents so that whoever deals with the situation can contact the correct person. 4.2 Cost Provision for the costs of a funeral could be made by: Savings set aside for funeral costs Some insurance schemes Funeral plans (section 9 lists some organisations which offer funeral plans) If you want to make provision for your funeral in any of these ways you need to consider: What is included in the price (for example doctors fees, minister s fee, the cremation service fee, the cost of a burial plot) What type of funeral will be provided How the savings / scheme may affect any means tested benefits you receive 5 Donating a body for medical research If you wish to donate our body for medical research you should discuss your wishes with family members so they are aware of your decision and also leave clear instructions in your will. It is best to make arrangements with the local medical school in advance as medical schools can refuse to accept the body. They will consider the place of death, cause of death, condition of body at time of death and extent of medical demand. If the body is accepted, eventually the medical school will arrange a funeral and the family can take part if they wish. In cases that are being investigated (see Section 1), the Procurator Fiscal has lawful possession of the body after death and can override the dead person s wishes on the disposal of the body. Factsheet 27s April of 20

12 6 Useful Contacts The following organisations offer further information and support: Cruse Bereavement Care (Scottish Headquarters) This organisation has branches across Scotland (and the UK) which offer a counselling service and practical advice after bereavement. They can provide telephone numbers for contacts in your local area. Riverview House Friarton Rd Perth PH2 8DF Tel: (lo call rate) Website: Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project This project can provide a Will pack on receipt of an SAE. This project can help find suitable religious and other leaders for funerals. For the number of someone to talk to, telephone the Helpline on (7pm to 10.30pm). Terrence Higgins Trust Counselling Dept Lancaster Rd London W11 1QT tel: Help, information, advice and support is available from the Lesbian and Gay Switchboard: Lothian Strathclyde The Natural Death Centre offers information on arranging your own funeral and various publications. This is a charitable organisation. In the Hill House Watley Lane, Twford Winchester, SO21 1QX Tel: Website: Factsheet 27s April of 20

13 The National Association of Widows 3rd Floor 48 Queens Road Coventry CV1 3EH, Tel: This association provides support, advice and information, website: Funeral Directors Organisations National Association of Funeral Directors, 618 Warwick Rd, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1AA, tel: , or Website: The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), SAIF Business Centre, 3 Bullfields, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 9DB, tel: , or , info@saif.org.uk, website: This organisation represents the interests of independent family owned funeral directors, some of which are also members of the NAFD. The British Humanist Association 1 Gower Street London WC1E 6HD Telephone: Some publications are available to purchase on their website The Cremation Society of Great Britain Brecon House 2nd Floor 16-16a Albion Place Maidstone, Kent ME14 5DZ tel: website: Factsheet 27s April of 20

14 FRS Marine Laboratory PO Box Victoria Road Aberdeen AB11 9DB Telephone: Fax: Web Site: Royal British Legion Scotland New Haig House Logie Green Rd Edinburgh EH7 4HR tel: or (Legion line local call rate) website: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen s families Association SSAFA Central Office 19 Queen Elizabeth St London SE1 2LP tel: website: Funeral Plans Age UK details can be obtained from the Age UK Enterprises at Age Scotland, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR. Tel The Age UK Funeral Plan is managed and run independently by M & G Investment Management Ltd and is marketed by Advance Planning Limited in which Age Scotland has an interest through Age Concern Enterprises limited (ACEnt). ACEnt is wholly owned by Age UK (registered charity no ). Co-operative Funeral Bond - details can be obtained from the Funeral Bond Office, Co-operative Funeral Services, 157 Fratton Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth. PO1 5ER, tel: (freephone) Website: Factsheet 27s April of 20

15 Dignity Caring Personal Funeral Plans details can be obtained from, 4 King Edwards Court, King Edward Square, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 6AP Telephone: , planinfo@dignityuk.co.uk Website: Funeral Planning Trust Details available from funeral directors who offer plans supported by the trust, or from funeral planning Services Limited, Freepost IH4150, Flint House, Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, Norwich, Norfolk NR15 2TA, Tel: Website: Perfect Assurance Funeral Trust details available from funeral directors who are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors or from Perfect Assurance Funeral Trust, 618 Warwick Rd, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1AA, Tel: Further Information These other Age Scotland factsheets may be of use: Factsheet 7s Factsheet 43s Making your will Obtaining and paying for legal advice You can call us on for a copy of our publications list or download copies from our website at Silver Line Scotland Silver Line Scotland provides information, friendship and advice to older people, their relatives and carers. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year (from a landline) (from a mobile) You can also contact us by textphone on Factsheet 27s April of 20

16 If you need an interpreter call and simply state the language you need e.g. Hindi. Stay on the line for a few minutes and the Silver Line Scotland staff will do the rest. Support our work Every year, thousands of older people across Scotland benefit from the vital information and advice Age Scotland provides. If you would like to support this work and help improve the lives of older people in Scotland you can donate by: Giving us a call on and ask for the fundraising team. Visit our website at Complete the donation page over the page and return in an envelope to Age Scotland, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR. Across the UK For information and advice in the rest of the UK: In England contact Age UK Advice on In Wales contact Age Cymru on In Northern Ireland contact Age NI on Factsheet 27s April of 20

17 Would you like to support Age Scotland? Support Age Scotland with a gift to enable us to continue producing fact sheets like this and all our other vital work to help improve lives of older people in Scotland. Please complete the donation form below and return to: Age Scotland Freepost RSBS_KEHC-GBBC 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Alternatively, you can phone or visit Title: Initials: Surname: Address: Postcode: I would like to donate Cash/Cheque/Postal Order I enclose a cheque/postal Order made payable to: Age Scotland Card Payment I wish to donate by (please tick) MasterCard Visa CAF Maestro Card Number: / / / Security Code: Issue Number: (Maestro Only) Valid from: / Expiry Date: / Please see overleaf for Gift Aid information. Factsheet 27s April of 20

18 Gift Aid Declaration Are you a UK Tax Payer? If so, you can use Gift Aid to make your donations go further by ticking Yes below. If you Gift Aid your donation, the charity will continue to receive an additional 25p on every pound you give. To qualify for Gift Aid, you must pay an amount of UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that Age Scotland will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. Yes, I want Age Scotland to treat all donations I have made for the four years prior to this year, and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations. I confirm I pay an amount of UK income tax and/or capital gains tax to cover the amount that all charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs will reclaim on my donations in the tax year. No, I am not a UK taxpayer, and/or I do not wish to Gift Aid my donations. Signature: Date: We may wish to contact you from time to time by either post or telephone, to provide you with information about our charity, services, or, to gather your opinion or views. On some occasions we may share your information with likeminded organisations. However, if you do not wish us to pass your details on, but are still happy to hear from us, please mark this box. If you prefer not to hear from Age Scotland, please mark this Factsheet 27s April of 20

19 Disclaimer While we aim to ensure that the information in this document is factually correct at the time of production, Age Scotland cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. Please ensure that you have an up to date factsheet and that it clearly applies to your situation. No factsheet can ever be a complete guide to the law, which also changes from time to time. Legal advice should always be taken if you are in doubt. Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, companies, products, services or publications in this factsheet does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age Scotland. This factsheet may be reproduced in whole or in part in unaltered form with due acknowledgement to Age Scotland. Reproduction in any other form is not permitted without written permission from Age Scotland. Age Scotland, part of the Age UK family, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Scotland, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Reg No: Charity No: SC Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR. Factsheet 27s April of 20

20 Age Scotland Textphone Factsheet 27s April of 20