Arranging a funeral: what happens and when
What we do at the arrangement meeting, and what you need to decide.
The arrangement meeting happens at one of our branches or at your home, whichever suits you. One funeral director will guide you through the arrangements and remain your main point of contact throughout.
We begin by talking about your loved one, your wishes and the kind of funeral you would like. We will guide you through the necessary documents as we go.
What we settle, roughly in this order
- 1.
Cremation or burial
Our guide to funeral options explains the differences between burial and cremation and the arrangements available.
- 2.
Attended or unattended
An attended funeral is one you come to. An unattended funeral takes place without a service attended by family or friends. We make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
- 3.
Where and when
The timing of the funeral depends on the necessary documents and any involvement from the coroner. We will explain the next steps and keep you informed.
- 4.
The coffin
We offer a range of coffins, including cardboard, wool, traditional and solid oak options.
- 5.
The cars
Choose the funeral vehicles you would like and discuss any preferred route for the journey.
- 6.
Flowers
Choose from our floral arrangements or consider charitable donations in memory of your loved one.
- 7.
Music, readings and who leads the service
Choose a minister, celebrant or family member to lead the service, depending on your wishes.
- 8.
The order of service
We can help you prepare, design and print an order of service reflecting your loved one’s life.
- 9.
The notice
A funeral notice can share the funeral details, invite people to attend and provide information about flowers or charitable donations.
- 10.
The estimate
We provide a written estimate setting out the agreed arrangements and costs, alongside our Terms of Business and any required agreement documents.
A written estimate before you make a decision
We provide a clear written breakdown of the costs before you commit to the arrangements. Your estimate separates our professional charges from third-party fees, such as crematorium or cemetery charges, and you receive a copy for your records.
You can review our published prices before your meeting and use our online estimate builder to explore the likely cost of your chosen arrangements.
Things to consider before making arrangements
You may wish to check whether a funeral director belongs to a recognised professional body. Gavin J Reynolds Family Funeral Directors is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors.
It is also worth checking whether your loved one had a prepaid funeral plan, life insurance or other provision that could help towards the costs. We can help you explore the available information.
Contact us to arrange a funeral meeting
There is no charge for an initial discussion and no obligation to proceed with us. We can arrange to meet you at home or at one of our branches, whichever you prefer.
