Gransnet forums

Chat

Page 2 of 2 | First | Previous | Next | Last
| Flip | Customise |

the cost of a funeral! £1,000 difference localy.

(30 Posts)
Add comment | Report
bikergran Wed 18-Jun-14 13:52:28

I have had to take the bull by the horns and start looking into the cost of a "funeral" as OH has been v poorly of late, (although he bounces back and surprises us all) as in the past.
Putting that aside I have visited 2 local funeral homes..and asked various questions.. the main one being the cost of a "basic/simple" funeral! was given a price of £2,195 that is including disbursements etc
called in another one this morning in the same town and was given a price of almost £3,500! for much the same thing, when I was told "shop around" I thought naghhhh it's not proper! to "shop around" I'm not going asda for shopping and it just didn't feel right, but it seems that if money is an issue then I think it may be the thing to do the latter being a basic box/coffin, it was awful it looked like something my dad had made in the shed, it was dark and almost black with black plastic handles.
Not a nice subject but one that creeps up on us sooner or later.
My gran had a lovely service, nice box, eats afterwards and all for £2,500 and that was at a place about 5 miles away...such big differences and quite worrying.shock

Add comment | Report
dustyangel Fri 20-Jun-14 16:27:16

Meant to say, when we were talking about funerals last year, the name that kept coming up that everyone praised was the Co-op.

Add comment | Report
Purpledaffodil Fri 20-Jun-14 17:23:25

Anneey both my parents took out one of those policies from Age UK about 18 years ago now. Mum died 12 years ago and Dad 2 years ago. In both cases those policies paid for everything apart from the church expenses, like the organist. It was so useful to know what they wanted as they had specified type of coffin, number of cars etc. I have a friend who is a funeral director and he is very keen on prepay for that reason.
That said, I would still double check if you are anxious. I think an average funeral in the South East is about £3000 now without lots of bells and whistles. All undertakers have to offer a budget service, but that includes things like a 9.30 start which may not be convenient if you have people travelling far.

Add comment | Report
Purpledaffodil Fri 20-Jun-14 17:29:46

bikergran having a friend in the trade is useful! He told me that shopping around is very common and sensible. Coop do seem to get a good write up generally, although there was a documentary last year saying they could be very disrespectful in the way they dealt with remains. That said, my friend tells me that they do baby funerals free and he will tell people that when they make inquiries. sad

Add comment | Report
bikergran Fri 20-Jun-14 22:01:15

lots of usefull info here thanks,.may take a look at the co op .

Page 2 of 2 | First | Previous | Next | Last
| Flip | Customise |