Help and advice
Plain answers to the things families ask us, written for Sunderland.
These are the questions that come up again and again, answered plainly.
None of it replaces a phone call, and you can ring us at any hour.
The first few days
The first days
A simple guide to what happens next and the steps that need to be taken in the days ahead.
Read the guide →Registering a death
Where to go, what to take, and how long you have.
Read the guide →The coroner
Why a death may be referred to the coroner, what happens next, and what it could mean for funeral arrangements.
Read the guide →Arranging the funeral
Arranging a funeral
What we do at the arrangement meeting, and what you need to decide.
Read the guide →Paying for a funeral
When the money is due, what help exists, and who can claim it.
Read the guide →Chapel of rest
What a visit is like, who can come, and how to arrange one.
Read the guide →Writing a eulogy
How to start, how long it should be, and what to do if you cannot read it.
Read the guide →The day itself
On the day
Your funeral director will guide you through the day, from the arrival of the hearse to the end of the funeral.
Read the guide →Etiquette and dress
What to wear, when to arrive, and what to say.
Read the guide →Sunderland Crematorium
A guide to service times, early morning cremations, fees and facilities at Sunderland Crematorium.
Read the guide →South Shields Crematorium
A guide to resident and non-resident fees, chapel timings and what is included in the cremation fee.
Read the guide →