Arranging a Funeral

Our services to you start when you contact us, whether by telephone or calling personally; and extend often well beyond the day of the funeral.

On initial contact we will ask for preliminary details, whereupon, if the deceased has died at home or in a private nursing home, we will arrange the conveyance of the deceased to our private chapel.

In this section you wil find the following information on arranging a funeral,
Please use the links below or scroll down the page:

How to Register a Death

Persons qualified and liable to act as informants
The following persons are designated by the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 as qualified to give information concerning a death:

Deaths in Houses and Public Institutions
A relative of the deceased, present at the death
A relative of the deceased in attendance during the last illness
A relative of the deceased residing or being in sub-district where death occurred
A person present at the death
The occupier* if he knew of the happening of the death
Any inmate if he knew of the happening of the death
The person causing the disposal of the body

Deaths not in Houses or Dead Bodies found
Any relative of the deceased having knowledge of any of the particulars required to be registered.
Any person present at the death
Any person who found the body
Any person in charge of the body
The person causing the disposal of the body.

"Occupier" in relation to a public institution includes the governor, keeper, master, matron, superintendent or other chief resident officer

Information required to Register
When the death is registered the informant must be prepared to give the registrar the following particulars relating to the deceased.
The date and place of death
The full name and surname (and the maiden surname if the deceased was a woman who had married)
The date and place of birth
The occupation (and if the deceased was a married woman or a widow the name and occupation of her husband)
The usual address
Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds
If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

THE DECEASED'S MEDICAL CARD SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR

Certificates issued by the Registrar
Disposal Certificate for the funeral director (A Green Certificate)
Social Security Certificate to be handed in at the DWP offices with any pension books
Copies of Entry of Death for bank, insurance, solicitors can be purchased at this time.

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Local Registrar's:

Sutton Coldfield Registrar
The Council House
King Edward Square
Sutton Coldfield
Telephone 0121 675 2902
(Appointments Required)
Mon-Fr 09.00-16.00 hrs

Solihull Registrars
Solihull Connect Walk In Centre
Library Square
Solihull
Telephone 0121 704 6099
(Appointment Required)

Burton-on-Trent Registrars
Rangemore House
22 Rangemore Street
Burton-on-Trent
Staffordshire
Telephone 01283 538701
(Appointment Required)

Coleshill Registrar
Ground floor
19 Parkfield Road
Coleshill
Warwickshire
Telephone 01675 465179
(Appointment to be made through Atherstone Office)

Birmingham Registrar
Holliday Wharf
Holliday Street
Birmingham
B1 1TJ
Telephone 0121 675 1000
Mon-Fr 09.00-16.00 hrs

Tamworth Registrar
Church Street
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B79 7BX
Telephone 01827 475885
(Appointments Required)

Nuneaton Registrars
Riverside Park
Coton Road
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
Telephone 02476 348944

Walsall Registrar
The Civic Centre
Hatherton Road
Walsall
Telephone 01922 652260
(Appointment Required)

Atherstone Registrar
Warwick House
Ratcliffe Street
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 1JP
Telephone 01827 711536
(Only open Mon/Wed/Fri 9am-1pm)
(Appointment advisable)

Lichfield Registrar
Lichfield Old Library Building
Bird Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
Telephone 01543 510772
(Appointment Required)

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Coroners

If the death has been reported to a Coroner (Usually in the case of sudden death) the procedure is somewhat different. The Coroner's duty (And do not forget that the Coroner
and his officers are working for you and in your interest) is to establish the cause of death
and issue a certificate. In this case the Coroner or his officer attends to obtain particulars of the deceased, statements from relatives and to identify the body of the deceased. The body should not be touched before the arrival of the Coroner's officer. When a death of this nature occurs other than in hospital, the body will be removed to the Coroner's mortuary. Should the cause of death be due to natural causes, the Coroner's office (sometimes via the funeral director) will inform the relatives when they can attend the Registrar's office. Usually, the Coroner's procedure takes time – perhaps 3 or 4 days and on some occasions the funeral may have to be delayed.

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Inquest Cases

When the Coroner decides that an inquest is necessary, he will issue the appropriate interim form required for burial or cremation. Relatives will then need to attend the Registrar's office to register the death and obtain copy certificates if required after the inquest is completed.

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Costs

In all aspects of the funeral arrangements our staff will point out the procedure and legal requirements.
Whilst arranging the funeral we will advise on costs and charges to be incurred culminating in a full written estimate that should be agreed and signed so that you will confident with the funeral commitment you have arranged.

The funeral account is divided into two parts:

The Funeral Directors' charges which include a suitable coffin as selected, the hearse and any limousines required, our professional fees, overhead costs, provision of a 24 hour a day on call rota, completion of funeral arrangements, documentation, conveyance of the deceased to our private chapel of rest and use of the same until the day of the funeral.

The disbursement element which are fees paid by us on your behalf to cemetery, crematorium, doctors, clergy etc.

Relatives and friends often wish to visit the deceased and pay their last respects before the day of the funeral. This can be arranged by appointment.

Hygienic treatment and attendances to the deceased are also considered to be very important to our company. The last time you saw a loved one may have been a distressing memory, perhaps in hospital or for the purposes of identification. In any event we believe that in asking us to look after a member of your family you would like to be certain that the best that could be done for your relative has been done, whether you wish to visit the deceased before the funeral or not.

To download our Terms and Conditions Click Here (PDF)

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view this and you can download and install a free copy by clicking on the icon below:

Disbursements

Disbursements are fees that we pay out on behalf of the family, ie: Doctors' Fees where appropriate, Crematorium/Cemetary Fees and Parochial Fees etc. Our written estimate will detail the approximate cost of any disbursements. However, you will appreciate that we will have no direct control over these charges and they could therefore be subject to change.

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Help with Funeral Costs

The following information should be treated as general guidance. We are not able to guarantee the availability of a loan but we do understand how the Department for Work and Pensions makes a decision.

Who is entitled to help?
You may receive help if there is not enough money to pay for the funeral and you are responsible for making the funeral arrangements and you or your partner are receiving any of the following benefits: Family Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

Check what amount of money is available from:-

• The estate of the person who has died, such as money from bank or building society accounts
• Any insurance policies of charities, lump sum payments made by a pension scheme or relatives (either yours or those of the person who has died)
• Any savings you have in a bank or building society, National Savings (including certificates or premium bonds) or in cash at home
• The savings may be in your name or the name of your partner.
• The Widows' Payment does not count as savings

The Social Fund may make a contribution towards the cost of a simple funeral within the United Kingdom. This includes:

• Bringing the deceased home if the person died away from home but within the United Kingdom
  
• The Death Certificate
  
• A Standard coffin
  
• The Hearse for the coffin and bearers
  
• Contribution towards fees of funeral director to include chaplain and organist fee
  
• Cemetery fee or Crematorium fee
  
• Doctors' fees

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Coffins and Caskets

We offer a wide range of coffins and caskets in :- Oak Veneer Mahogany Veneer Solid Oak Solid Mahogany Hand Painted and Customised Wicker Bamboo

To View Our Range of Coffins and Caskets Click Here to download our brochure (PDF)

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view this brochure and you can download and install a free copy by clicking on the icon below:

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Cremated Remains

At the time of making funeral arrangements, it is not always easy to realise the emotional benefit that is gained after the funeral by having somewhere to go, a place that you and your family can go back to, knowing that a loved one is there.

It has only recenty been acknowledged that sinmply having a relative's cremated remains scattered or buried in a garden of remembrance does not assist the healing process after the funeral. Today, most cemetaries and crematoria that are administered by local councils, offer the facilities of small graves that can be purchased solely for cremated remains. Other types of memorialisation are usually available as an alternative.

These memorials can be visited by your family, allowing you to pay your last respects and visit whenever you wish.


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Hearse and Limousines

The Hearse for the funeral, with chauffeur and sufficient pallbearers, is an essential part of our service to you, especially when it is your family's request to go into church or place of worship prior to cremation or burial.

The charge for limousines is fully inclusive to cover transport from the address at which your family required to be picked up through to your return to the final destination within a limited distance. Each limousine is chauffer driven and will normally carry up to six mourners.  

Please note: Seat belts provided must by used by all.
Children up to 12 years of age must use an appropriate child seat/booster seat

Our modern vehicle fleet consists of Daimler Hearses and Limousines.

The Limousines seat up to six passengers. Our vehicles are chauffeur driven and we provide sufficient bearers for your needs.

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Floral Tributes

A Bereavement is a sensitive time when family and friends experience a wide range of emotions. On these occasions, the timeless beauty of flowers provides a unique opportunity to express these feelings and can bring comfort to the bereaved.

From loosely styled, natural arrangements to a more formal tribute, the emotive language of flowers is boundless. We offer help and advice on the choice of flowers which we will arrange for you, or you may prefer to visit your chosen florist. It is preferred that your florist delivers tributes to us, at least 2 hours prior to the funeral.

Please use the link below to view sympathy flower arrangements and contact our local florist Wm Wheat in Aldridge.

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Donations to Charity

If donations are requested in lieu of flowers we will accept and list donations on your behalf and forward them in due course to a charity of your choice and provide the family with a list of all contributors.

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Catering

We can advise you on venues or companies who will be able to assist you with your catering needs.

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Press Notices

We shall be pleased to help compile obituary notices for both local and national papers. Some papers will only accept notice from funeral directors or certain agents so it will probably be better for us to arrange all of them. We will also insert acknowledgements if you wish. We will be pleased to advise or help you with the wording. However there is always a potential security issue. Notices are placed at your own risk.

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Memorials on Graves

At the time of making arrangements for a funeral it is not always easy or necessary to determine what your future memorial requirements will be. In the case of existing memorials it will probably be necessary to remove the headstone from the grave prior to the funeral.

When the funeral has taken place it may take some months, depending on the condition of the ground, before the grave will be ready to take the headstone or a new one erected.

During this period of settlement it is recommended, where possible, that the Monumental Masons remove the memorial back to their yard for safe keeping. This also reduces the costs in the longer term should the memorial require additional inscriptions.

A memorial is not just a marker erected over a grave to remind us of the name of the deceased. It is a lasting symbol of remembrance, a tribute to a life now ended and perhaps a final gift to someone dearly loved.

Choose a design and material to meet the regulations of the cemetery or churchyard, harmonise with the surroundings and choose a suitable inscription to withstand the weather. (Remember, perhaps, a possible future inscription in matching lettering).

When comparing prices make sure that the size, style of lettering and all fees have been included.

Take extreme care and check thoroughly any inscription spellings. The layout is usually left up to the stonemason.

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Jewellery and Personal Effects

Jewellery may be left with the deceased or returned according to the wishes of the relatives. For peace of mind we ask that all jewellery and personal effects required are claimed and signed for prior to the day of the funeral, as we cannot accept responsibility for claims made after this time. Please notify us of your wishes.

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