There is no doubt that one of the most challenging phases we have to go through in life is dealing with the death and loss of someone we love. No matter how ‘prepared’ we are for it (if our loved one suffered from a long illness, for instance), we feel a devastating and immeasurable sadness that is hard to assuage once it happens. However, if you are also in charge of planning and arranging your loved one’s burial, the process can be extra painful and stressful. It pays to get help and guidance from someone who knows how to do it, such as a funeral director. But what can you expect when planning a burial, especially in terms of costs, requirements, and more? Here’s your crucial guide.
The costs and expenses
Burial costs are often the same as the costs of cremation regarding the fees of the funeral director. But the burial itself is often more expensive than cremation because you also have to contend with the cost of the plot or grave. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to buy the plot but are instead buying the right to bury your loved one in the plot. Under the law, you can only ‘lease’ a grave for about 100 years each time. After 100 years, you have the option to continue your lease.
You may also want to keep in mind that if the deceased was not residing in the area where you would like to bury them, the cost of the plot might be higher. But in essence, the standard cost associated with most burials was almost £5000 in 2020. The cost can also vary depending on the kind of funeral you have chosen and where you are in the United Kingdom.
The arrangements
If you have chosen to rely on a funeral director (such as noteworthy funeral directors from Leeds like Carroll & Carroll), you can depend on them to take care of most of the arrangements. If you want to arrange the burial yourself, you should get in touch directly with the cemetery. You will then have to provide the cemetery with specific information such as the name, age, and address of the deceased, the time and date of the burial, the size of the coffin or casket, and whether the burial is religious or non-denominational. If you have already acquired a lease for a plot, you have to provide them with your leasing number.
The requirements
You are required under law to register the person’s death first before planning the burial, and you will receive a certificate for burial. The process of registering the death involves contacting the person’s GP, or if they passed away in hospital, contacting the doctor who took care of them there. They can give you a certificate of cause of death. Once you have this certificate, you will have to contact the registrar to officially register the death. When you have done this, you will get the certificate for burial.
You should fill out an application form for a burial plot whether you are asking for an entirely new plot or are opening a current plot. Your chosen funeral director can assist you with this as well.