The funeral service that caters for everyone’s needs

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How to Arrange a Funeral

Who is responsible for making the arrangements? 

The person who makes the arrangements must be able to give instructions and be able to sign documents regarding the funeral arrangements. This person will also be responsible for arranging payment of the funeral. This could be a friend or relative, or someone appointed by the family to manage the arrangements.

What to consider when planning a funeral

Planning a funeral can be a very daunting task at first, but we can help make the process easier for you. There are a few things you will need to consider when making arrangements such as what type of funeral your loved one would have wanted, or what the costs may be. We offer a range of services and are happy to run through any questions you may have when planning a funeral. 

Steps to arranging a funeral

1. Contact a funeral director

The first step when planning a funeral is to contact a funeral director such as Alan Greenwood & Sons. We will be able to answer any questions you may have, explain your options and begin the process of arranging the funeral. 

One of the questions we will ask you when you get in touch is where the deceased is. We will collect them as soon as possible and bring them into our care. We will either arrange to meet you in our funeral home or arrange to see you at your home to make the funeral arrangements, whichever is easiest for you. 

We will make all necessary arrangements with officiating clergy, cemeteries or crematoriums and assist you in the completion of documentation. You will receive confirmation of all arrangements and a detailed estimate of costs which we can discuss with you. 

Information we may need from you

When planning a funeral, there will be a few things we will need to check with you before finalising any plans. These will include:

  • Name, address and age of the deceased
  • Location of the deceased
  • Name and contact details of their doctor
  • Whether a death certificate has been issued
  • Whether the funeral is to be religious or non-religious ceremony
  • Number of limousines required (each carries 6 people)
  • The location the cortege will leave from
  • The location you will return to

If you are unsure of any of these details, we can help you to locate the information and talk you through the options that you have.

2. Choose the type of funeral

When planning a funeral, it is common to choose something in line with the personality of the deceased. For example, this could be a religious ceremony if the person was religious, or a wicker coffin for those who were conscious about the environment. 

Where the funeral will take place is another step in the planning process. This could be in a church, cremation chapel, at the graveside or somewhere else. We can discuss the options with you and find something that suits the wishes of the deceased and the loved ones attending the ceremony. 

3. Choose cremation or burial

There is also the consideration of burial or cremation. It may be that the deceased expressed their preference before their passing, or this may be a decision that the deceased’s loved ones will need to make. 

4. Plan the service

We can help you plan the service and prepare for the funeral. We can help and support you on all aspects of the day, including; service sheets, floral tributes, catering and vehicles for close family and friends. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your options and the different services that we offer. Whatever your requirements are, we can help and arrange it for you.

Compassionate and Professional

Your calls will be taken in person locally not by a call centre, with complete confidentiality, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Simple Service Cremation £1995.00

To a local crematorium or cemetery, the day and time is at our discretion, a coffin of our choice included. Third party costs are not included and need to be added to the above cost. Local crematoria cost can be found on this website by clicking the pricing tab.

Unattended Cremation £950.00

When no service and no attendance is required. Day, time and crematorium at our discretion. Provision of our choice of coffin, suitable for the purpose of cremation, third party cost included.

Has Someone Passed Away?

We understand at this difficult time you need someone to guide you through it all. We’re on hand to help after someone you love dies.

Arranging a Funeral

We’ll talk you through the process and what’s involved, so that you can make the right decision both for you and your loved ones.

Pre-Paid Funeral Agreement

Funeral plans

As a company we are not a funeral Plan provider.

We are though in most circumstances able to carry out instructions from a funeral plan purchased from a third party. Please contact us, to discuss your needs.

We're Here to Support You

Get in touch to see how we can support your needs

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A Few Kind Words...

“Dear Donna,

Just a little something to say thank you very much for all of your kind support during a very difficult time.

You really went above and beyond to help us and it was truly appreciated.

Thank you for helping us organise such a personal and fitting service for Margaret and everything else that you did for us.”

Bill, Sandra, Vicki and Family

“As a family we cannot thank you enough for all your care and support of us on the passing of our mum – Peggy Hart on October 19th and her funeral on October 31st. As we know from the past, you do a wonderful job and all the staff are so caring and compassionate. Carol you are a rock (dare I say Star!) as you guided us through so much and helped keep us on track.

The day went off so smoothly and well. Mum looked good and would have so enjoyed her last ride in the jag! Also she would have been pleased at Alan leading the way, as Dad – Bill thought so highly of him and always spoke of him in glowing terms when he was alive and said he was a great guy to work with.

Thank you, thank you, what more can I say. I just wish you had offices in Canada so when my time comes, I know I would be in such excellent caring hands.”

Maggie & Mike Raftery

“Just a wee note to say a huge thank you for your amazing support, care and friendship when helping us to arrange my dad’s funeral. Although it was such a difficult time for us as a family, you ensured that we were so well looked after & that everything went perfectly. Our tears often turned to laughter in your company & that’s because you helped us remember the good times.

Thank you for everything from the bottom of our hearts. We would also like to thank the whole team involved in helping before, during and after my dad’s funeral. You truly are amazing, showing such dignity, compassion, care and professionalism. Thank you.”

Karen, Anna & family

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say a massive thank you for everything you have done over the last two weeks. When I walked into Alan Greenwood’s on the 5th November I didn’t know where or how I was going to organise my lovely Mum’s funeral and the thought of it horrified me, you made a daunting job so much easier and were there to guide me all the way until the day of the funeral.”

I can’t thank you enough for your kind words, thoughts and help during this very difficult time. Losing someone as precious as mum is very hard but you helped so much. Thank you for everything you have done for mum, myself and my family.”

Sue, Mundy, Luke and Faye

“Dear Judy,

Thank you for all your hard work and great communication for the arrangement of mum’s funeral. Even though the restrictions limited certain things, everything ran so smoothly. We were able to celebrate mum’s life with a lovely service and great help from you and all at Alan Greenwood funeral services on the day.”

Yvonne and Peter Richardson

Dear Chloe,

We just wanted to all thank you and the rest of Alan Greenwood team for providing excellent service for organising and conducting our mother’s funeral – The day went perfectly.

Mike

“Just a note to say a huge thank you to yourself and the wonderful team at Send Greenwoods, they took care of us all yesterday at Les Ingram’s funeral. I’ve really valued your help and support over the last few weeks and the wonderful men yesterday went beyond their ‘call of duty’. They were certainly there at our great time of need. Please pass on my thanks to everyone. I also enclose four more donations. Many thanks again.”

Judith Hookins

“Thank you so much for the care, support, compassion and understanding you showed with helping Chris and us to plan his funeral. You made a very difficult time for us more bearable for which we are very grateful. Thank you also for enabling all Chris’s plans to come to fruition. His ‘send-off’ was exactly what he wanted. Malcolm did a brilliant job too. Thank you, Jane, With love and sincere, thank you.”

Kathy, Samantha, Rosie and all the Sayer Family

“Lynn, Bruce and I thank you so much for the wonderful understanding and help you have given us over the past days.It has been a difficult time but made so much easier by your guidance. With your kindness, we feel we managed to say our goodbyes to ‘Roger’, ‘Dad’ and ‘Grandy’ – showing our love and thanks to him for looking after us so perfectly over the years.”

Pat Clark

“Thank you for all your kind attention during the funeral of my husband John on the 24th May. The arrangements were so efficiently and sympathetically handled that it lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. I enclose a cheque in favour of the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of my beloved John.”

Catherine Waterman

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