The Funeral Director tailors a funeral service to meet the family’s wishes and to comply with the law. Here is a guide to the kind of support and range of services you can expect from your chosen Funeral Director.

After discussing your requirements, the Funeral Director will take detailed instructions concerning the services and facilities to be provided and then act to ensure the funeral is dignified and that all aspects are delivered to the highest professional standards.

It is important to emphasise that the services outlined here will not always be provided automatically and this list is by no means exhaustive but, typically, Funeral Directors will:

• Arrange a date and time for the funeral, according to your instructions. The Funeral Director will contact the church, cemetery or crematorium and/or the person who will be conducting the service, to arrange a mutually convenient date and time.

• Transfer the deceased from the place of death, or from the location to which the deceased has been taken, to their premises, provide practical assistance to allow the deceased to remain at home prior to the funeral, if this is what you request.

• Provide facilities for viewing of the deceased prior to the funeral, according to the family’s wishes.

• Provide the necessary vehicles and staff to conduct the funeral with dignity and professionalism, in accordance with your instructions.

• Deal with all necessary paperwork to enable burial or cremation to take place.

• Place death notices in local and/or national newspapers.

• Arrange for catering at a venue of your choice following the funeral.

• Make arrangements for the subsequent disposal of the remains following a cremation.

• Arrange special musical requests for the funeral service, such as a soloist, piper or choir.

• Liase with the officiate to provide Order of Service sheets at the funeral service.

• Record the names of those attending the funeral in order to provide you with a list afterwards.

• Order floral tributes on behalf of the deceased’s family and/or friends and colleagues.

• Accept and care for floral tributes delivered to their premises prior to the funeral.

• Accept donations for a nominated charity in lieu of flowers on your behalf, providing the family with a list of those who have donated after the funeral.

• Arrange for transfer of either the deceased or the cremated remains to another area of the country, or repatriation overseas, for a subsequent funeral or disposal, in accordance with your wishes.

• Provide advice and transport to assist with the registration of the death. Please be aware that Funeral Directors cannot register a death - this is something, which must be done by a family member or person closely connected with the deceased.

• Supply obituary cards or 'thank you' cards for use by the family following the funeral service.

• Place "Thank You" and acknowledgement notice, or obituary notices in local newspapers following the funeral.

• Provide information on how to arrange a pre-paid funeral plan.

• Offer a choice of coffins and caskets to suit a range of budgets and individual choice.