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

(29 Posts)
granjura Wed 18-Jun-14 14:57:39

Sorry to hear you have to go through this bikergran. A friend of mine shopped around Funeral Directors when her mum was getting really poorly- as they were going through financial troubles. She was made to feel really awful by one funeral director in Leics (the big independent one) for asking about prices, etc. He told her she should be ashamed of herself for the lack of respect she was showing her mum- penny pinching on her funeral.
It made her feel sick. She actually went to the Coop and got much better and comforting service, and much better value for money.

Do you know how your OH feels about his (eventual- same for all of us) funeral? Does he want a big send off? I've told OH and my children that when my time comes I want the absolute cheaper coffin without brass handles, silk lining and varnish- the minimum allowed by law. Not just because I think it is a waste, personally (and I know many people feel different about this, and respect that) but also for the environment (expensive exotic wood from rain forest, etc). I wish I could have a cardboard coffin, but they are not allowed here.

Thinking of you flowers

rosesarered Wed 18-Jun-14 14:31:31

I think we all do need to shop around biker for this service, but sorry to hear you are having to think about it just now.The last funeral I had to organise was in 1997, and for a quite basic service that was £1,000. It must have doubled in price by now.No meal drinks etc was included in that, just the undertakers and crematoriam fees.It can all add up to quite a sum if it's going to be a large funeral.

jollyg Wed 18-Jun-14 14:26:14

Depressing for you, but a sensible thing to do........ we are all going to go sometime.

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