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.

Funeral arrangements can be made at our premises, at your home or via email.

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...

“Thank you so much for the care you took of mum and help and kindness you showed us making a very sad time so much easier to bear. With very best wishes and a very big thank you.”

Claire, David & Pia Stevens

“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

“I would like to say a huge thank you to both Carina at Alan Greenwood and Sons in Frimley and the Celebrant. When my mother-in-law passed, we had absolutely no idea what we were doing other than needing to contact a funeral directors. After calling, Carina invited us into the Frimley branch for an informal chat and made us feel at ease straight away. She talked us through every step whilst being compassionate, caring and professional during the whole process. It was a difficult time that was made so much easier by the way Carina and Maria handled everything. When the Celebrant contacted us we were unsure of what we wanted for the service, with his knowledge and understanding he helped us to put together a service that was both relaxed, professional and perfectly suited to us. Thank you to the whole team!”

Sarah

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you did for us. You certainly made a very emotional and difficult time so much easier to bear. We are so grateful for the support you gave us and your gentle guidance along the way. Everything was perfect thanks to you and we would highly recommend you to all. With very best wishes.”

Family of Stanley Stearman

“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

“The family would like to thank you and the whole team at Greenwood’s for your warm and professional service. We were delighted with your attention to detail and the relaxed but respectful manner of the Attendant and Bearers on the day itself. Many of our friends commented on the ‘dignity with lightness of touch’ and said it was one of the best-organised funerals they had attended. It was certainly a very different experience from my father’s funeral twelve years ago, and we shall recommend you wholeheartedly to others.”

Carole Day and Family

“Thank you very much indeed for all your professionalism, support and guidance throughout the whole process involved in caring for my mother.

From the moment we met the staff at Holmwood Nursing Home until my collection of thank you notelets for my father to use I felt that everything was conducted in a most efficient and sensitive manner. I know that Clive spent a good deal of time with you and I was so pleased that we were able to have such a beautiful service very soon after the passing of our dear mother and wife. With thanks once again”

Jane Reg & Clive

“You make an extremely difficult time easier. Dad’s service was very fitting and I was so pleased to see him dressed in his uniform and hold his had one last time, Jess you did a lovely job. Thank you so so much.”

Clare

“Dear Beth,

Just a short note from all of us to say “Thank You” for all the effort that you applied to ensure that Sarah’s funeral passed so seamlessly.

If it can be described as a “Great Day” (which I know will sound odd) I mean it purely in terms of the balance between sadness and celebration was met – that also the weather was perfect, the co-ordination between service and committal was excellent, the flowers so beautiful and everyone played their part so well. It was largely down to you that it did work so well.

So a “Big Thank You”

Barry, Jemma, Matthew, Josie and William

“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

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