The funeral service that caters for everyone’s needs

hero

The Day of the Funeral

Funerals can be as unique or as traditional as desired, and at Alan Greenwood & Sons we can help you plan all the minor details every step of the way. Most funerals tend to follow the same general schedule throughout the day, from the procession to the wake. To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a rough itinerary.

Itinerary of the Funeral Day

The funeral procession

Usually, the funeral procession will start at the home of the deceased. Your chosen hearse will arrive at the specified time, with the coffin already inside. Loved ones who will travel in the procession in your chosen vehicles, behind the hearse, will be collected from this same place. The route to the funeral service will have already been properly planned by the Funeral Director, making sure the quickest and simplest route is taken. The funeral procession will typically travel at 20mph, and the Funeral Director will usually get out of the vehicle and lead on foot upon arrival at the venue.

Arriving at the funeral

When the procession has arrived at the church or crematorium the Funeral Director will liaise with the service officiator to make sure everything is in order. If you have requested pallbearers, they will remove the coffin from the hearse, and prepare to enter the venue. If you have your own pallbearers, they will be instructed on the best way to do this by the Funeral Director.

Funerals can differ in the order in which people enter the church or crematorium. Sometimes everyone will follow the pallbearers, and other times guests are asked to be seated before the hearse arrives, with only immediate family members of the deceased following the coffin. Either way, the first few rows of seats are reserved for specified close friends and family.

The funeral service

This will largely depend on whether the funeral is being held at a church or a crematorium. In churches, the service will usually last around one hour, however at a crematorium it can be around 30 minutes. The officiator at either venue will lead the service, although chosen attendees are often asked to read poems or passages, and a eulogy. The officiator can do all of this if preferred, including reading a eulogy that has been prepared by a loved one. At the end of the service, in a church the pallbearers will take the coffin out of the church to take it to the burial ground or cremation venue. At the end of a crematorium service, the coffin will be enclosed by curtains before cremation begins.

The committal service

Many people choose to have a committal service after a church funeral ceremony, which will either take place at the burial ground or crematorium. Depending on the whereabouts of the venue, the coffin might be placed in the hearse, once again followed by the procession and other guests. If you are staying at the same venue, the Funeral Director will walk with you.

The committal service usually involves readings and/or poems, and after the service guests will have the opportunity to give flowers and pay final respects. The Funeral Director will be on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly and, at the appropriate time, escort the family back to their vehicles to then make their way to the wake (if there is one).

The wake/funeral reception

Most families choose to host a wake after the funeral to give friends and loved ones an opportunity to offer their best wishes and share happy memories. This part of the funeral day is entirely up to the loved ones; however the Funeral Director can offer advice at the planning stages regarding venues and caterers for example. After escorting you to the venue, at this point the Funeral Director will depart.

After the funeral

After the funeral, remember the team at Alan Greenwood & Sons are still here to give you any advice, help, and support that you may need. You can also read our tips on coping with grief and what to do with ashes.

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 £2345.00

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 £1295.00

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.

Cremation Fee 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

Lily flower

A Few Kind Words...

“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

“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

“We would like to thank you very much for looking after Mum and for all the arrangements you made for her funeral last Thursday. Your professionalism, help and ready advice together with your sensitivity at such a difficult time was much appreciated by us all. Our best regards.”

Nigel, Colin Ian & Coraine Ferguson

“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

“Would you please pass on our thanks to the young lady who conducted the burial of Joyce Ashby last week. She was so kind to Jean my very elderly cousin especially on the ride back in the Limo taking us through Richmond Park and chatting all the way. We then went on to have a family picnic in Jean’s garden in the sunshine a lovely way to remember Joyce and the perfect day for Jean. Very many thanks from all of us in North Wales.”

Sheila, Keith & Rhoada Ashby

“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

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

“Dear Fran

I just wanted to drop you an email to thank you for all your care and support in the arrangements for my dad, John.

I know that my Mum, Valerie, was most grateful for your support and care, particularly last Friday which was a difficult day for her. Mum said to me that you went over and above in her eyes, making sure she was ok before you would let her leave.

Dad would have highly approved of the day yesterday, and that’s all we could have asked for. It really was the celebration of his life that he would have wanted.

Again, my sincerest thanks and gratitude to you all.”

Helena

“To all that it concerns, thank you seems hardly enough for making our Pops (William Hadaway) day very special with love and dignity from the beginning to the end you all made the day very special as well as his wishes you were there for all the family and made it a bit easier for us all to handle, couldn’t have wished for anything more. Many thanks again.”

Mark Hadaway & family

“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

View Testimonials
Lily flower