Funeral Directors | Information about the Public Health Funeral

At some point in our lives we will experience the loss of someone extremely close, and it is at this time that there are various things to do, and important decisions to be made, and considered. Someone has to take charge of arranging the funeral and this task will normally fall on the shoulders of a Spouse or Partner. Whether the death was expected or not it will be a very sad, difficult and traumatic time. It may be helpful at a time like this to call upon the assistance of someone close to you who could prove very helpful in a practical side of the arrangement. There could be some details that may need a very personal consideration and this additional help from someone close may provide you with the opportunity to deal with such matters yourself.

Listed below are some of the essentials that one might give consideration to when arranging a funeral.

1. Be aware, a funeral can be very costly which might mean a long-term financial commitment.
   
2. Before making the arrangements, a careful check should be made to ascertain whether any sort of funeral plan has been entered into, check if there are any requests or arrangements that may have already been made.
   
3. A responsible person must be identified who will act as the 'informant' to register the death. This person must be qualified to give the details. See Registration of Death.
   
4. Make a decision regarding the kind or style of funeral service that is required and what services are to be provided by the funeral director. Is burial or cremation is preferred. If cremation is chosen what is to happen to the cremated remains.
   
5. Make contact with funeral directors, including family and any other essential persons to discuss your needs and requests. Be aware of any religious requirements.
   
6. Give some thought to memorialisation; how would you like them to be remembered; what restrictions might there be at the cemetery or crematorium. See Memorials.

Funeral Directors will manage funeral arrangements and give advice and support. Check if the funeral director you choose belongs to a trade association. This requires them to provide full information about their services and prices.

Some of the things that might be considered when choosing a funeral director:

• Is there a funeral director that was retained at a previous family funeral or comes well recommended by other persons you know?
  
• If uncertain, try to obtain information from other sources and if necessary make a visit to their premises. It is extremely important that the right choice is made to give you peace of mind. Try to take someone with you when visiting any premises that might be able to assist you with such a decision.
  
• Check what facilities and services are provided by the funeral director
  
• You will need to select a suitable casket.
  
• Ensure you receive a complete written estimate in advance

Funeral Directors

• Baguley Brothers Limited - 0115 9605197
• Basford and District Funeral Service - 0115 9706555
• Co-operative Funeral and monumental Service (Lenton) - 0115 9785171
• Co-operative Funeral and Monumental Service (Aspley) - 0115 9295393
• Co-operative Funeral and Monumental Service (Clifton) - 0115 9456484
• Aspley & District Funeral Service - 0115 9295999
• Ilkeston Co-operative Funeral Service (Aspley) - 0115 9298005
• Ilkeston Co-operative Funeral Service (Wollaton) - 0115 9284366
• A.W.Lymn. The Family Funeral Service - 0115 9505875
• A.W.Lymn. The Family Funeral Service (Bulwell) - 0115 9794944
• A.W.Lymn. The Family Funeral Service (Clifton) - 0115 9456232
• C.Terry. Bulwell and District Family Funeral Service - 0115 9770866

Most people are quite satisfied with the traditional methods provided by the professional funeral director. In particular, they accept the many services provided for their loved one which might allow the family time to be able to concentrate on other and more personal matters of the arrangements. There are, however, for various reasons, a number of people that would like to try something that is a little different by becoming more involved in organizing their own 'do-it-yourself' funerals. The Charter for the Bereaved that is promoted by the Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration (IBCA), identifies the right for members of the public to organise a funeral without the use of a funeral director if they so wished. The Charter fully explains this, however, further information may be obtained directly from the Superintendent at the Cemetery or Crematorium.

Public Health Funerals

Sadly in this day and age there are occasions when people die and there are no relatives or friends available to arrange their funeral. In such cases the City's Bereavement Services team take on this role to fulfil a legal obligation under the provisions of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984.

This particular aspect of our work is regarded as an extremely important service, which is carried out with considerable care and consideration. On average 70 funerals are organised annually and in each case before the funeral arrangements are finalised attempts are made to establish whether there are relatives who wish to organise the funeral themselves. These attempts include talking to friends and neighbours, searching through the deceased's possessions and paperwork and placing requests for relatives in local newspapers. This web site is now also being used to try and trace relatives under our relatives sought section.

LinkIn those instances where we have been unable to trace relatives or where found they are unable to arrange the funeral then action is taken by us. The services of a funeral director are employed and a burial or a cremation is then arranged to take place at either Southern or Northern Cemetery or at Wilford Hill Crematorium. In all cases attempts are made to determine what the wishes of the deceased may have been regarding burial or cremation.

No matter whether the funeral is a burial or cremation, a committal service always take place in either in one of our chapels or at graveside and on those few occasions when no mourners are present the crematorium technicians are always present. Cremated remains of the deceased are usually scattered in the garden of remembrance unless other specific instructions are found amongst the deceased 's possessions or in a will. For burials an interment will take place in a non-private grave and although a headstone will not be erected plaques are permitted on the grave.

If you wish to find out if we have arranged the funeral of a relative or friend then please contact our Bereavement Services section on 0115 9156761.

For further information regarding this aspect of our work please contact Michelle Foster on 0115 9159140 or e-mail: michelle.foster@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

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