Arranging a Funeral

The Funeral Director

The Funeral Director who will be making arrangements on your behalf will need to know the full name, age, occupation and religion of the deceased. If a grave is already in existence they will need the deeds of the grave or some documents relating to the grave which may be in your possession. The Funeral Director will help you if the deeds are lost. If a new grave is required, you should decide in which cemetery you wish the interment to take place and who will have the exclusive right of burial named on the deed. Full details of your wishes regarding the services of a minister are also necessary.

Cremations

First you should inform the doctor that cremation is desired. Your Funeral Director can give you all the necessary medical forms for the doctor to complete. You may leave the forms with them as they know the usual procedure. Registration of the death is carried out as described previously. The Disposal Order is just as necessary for cremations as it is for burial.

In addition a Statutory Declaration is required for a cremation. Your Funeral Director will supply the necessary forms for this, which must be completed by a near relative or Executor, and verified by any householder to whom the applicant is known.

The Medical forms, Disposal Order and Statutory Declaration must be in the hands of the Cremation Authority at least one full working day prior to the date arranged for the cremation.

Although there are more formalities for a cremation they are quite simple when fully explained and you can be sure of the Funeral Directors help with all the details.