Taking Funeral Instructions from a Client Funeral Administrator Unit AD1

Learning Outcomes: The learner is able to: Interview clients and obtain the necessary information to arrange a funeral Describe additional services which may be required by a bereaved family Arrange a burial or a cremation Provide client with an itemised estimate and final invoice

Arrangement Forms – Information about the Deceased Full Name Address Place of death Date of death Date of birth Age Status Gender https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age- uk/documents/factsheets/fs16_transgender_issue s_and_later_life_fcs.pdf Occupation Religion (if any) Has cause of death certificate been signed Has the death been referred to the Coroner

Arrangement Forms – Information about the Applicant Name Address Telephone –landline and mobile Relationship to deceased (no assumptions!) Other contact telephone numbers

Arrangement Forms – Information about the Funeral Service location(s) If cremation – Where? If Burial – Type of grave? New? Pre-purchased or faculty in place? Re-open? Day and date Time of service Coffin/casket

Arrangement Forms – Information about the Funeral Clergy/Celebrant Hymns & Music Cars How many following cars Where will the cars leave from Time cars will arrive Arrangements for handling floral tributes

Arrangement Forms – Additional Services Death notice and/or obituary Catering Service sheets Donations

Arrangement Forms – Additional Services Viewing requirements Disposal of cremated remains Other requirements Flags Pipers/ Marching bands Memorials

Arrangement Forms – About the Account Who will pay Method – cash/cheque/debit or credit card/BACS Pre-paid funeral plan Company policy Deposit or full payment Solicitor Insurance policy Department for Works & Pensions

About the Account Estimate Always provide a full written estimate Itemising the individual costs and break down between Funeral Director Costs and Third Party Disbursements Some companies ask for a signed copy of this to be returned to them before the funeral

About the Account Funeral Director Costs Costs associated with the service you are providing and are within your control: Professional services Provision of vehicles Removal of deceased Provision of coffin Provision of cremated remains casket Additional bearers

Account About Third Party Disbursements Costs associated with the service you are not providing and have no control over: Church/Minister fees Crematorium/Cemetery fees Doctors/Gravediggers fees Floral tributes Newspaper notices Order of service Catering Bagpiper N.B. No profit is made on these services

List the key elements required for a funeral Learning Outcome 1 Interview clients and obtain the necessary information to arrange a funeral Evidence required: List the key elements required for a funeral Interview a client, gather information and obtain instructions for services required Give information and advice to clients about product range Accurately record details of the funeral order Take orders for graves and memorials

Learning Outcome 2 Describe additional services which may be required by a bereaved family Evidence required: Summarise where to access additional services locally and obtain prices

Funeral Management Book the clergy Telephone call Before funeral date fixed Letter of confirmation Sent by email initially? Followed up by post? Check fees

Funeral Management Book the Cemetery or Crematorium If not already done this is one of the first things to fix Taking into account Relatives wishes Distance mourners will travel Other commitments Your company Vicar Venue Other main players

Funeral Management Book the Gravedigger The whole funeral may hinge on ON on their availability Some churchyards have their own Most borough cemeteries use council staff Parish cemeteries usually don’t Make sure you know who is responsible for arranging the gravedigger (the gravedigger’s fee may included in the interment fee)

Funeral Management Book the Organist Don’t assume that the vicar will do it for a church service Some crematoria make a separate arrangement Make sure the venue has an organ before you book an organist!

Funeral Management Request Documents From hospital From GP Notify Coroner’s officer Do the relatives know about registration? Will you have all the paperwork in time?

Funeral Management Book chapel viewing time Your company may have a diary for chapel visits Don’t be unrealistic with time If your company uses a trade embalmer make sure they are available Company policies about viewing e.g. only embalmed or coffined bodies

Funeral Management Organise staff and fleet This may be part of your job or left to others Either way make sure what you are arranging is reasonable for time between funerals Consider service and travel time before and after funeral

Funeral Management Arrange additional services Newspaper announcement Specialist vehicles Service sheets Flowers Donations Extra cars Catering Doves Music

Funeral Management Have you arranged to receive… CDs/music requests Clothing Items to be placed in coffin Photos for order of service Wording for press notices Tribute cards for flowers

Funeral Management Have you sent… Estimate to family Confirmations to Family Minister Organist Gravedigger Newspaper announcement to paper Flower order to florist Music choices to place of service

Funeral Management Have you… Checked…… and double checked EVERYTHING!

Leaning Outcome 3 Arrange a burial or a cremation Evidence required: Make all the arrangements with all the necessary agencies to enable a burial Make all the arrangements with all the necessary agencies to enable a cremation

Identify the difference between FD’s cost and disbursements Leaning Outcome 4 Provide client with itemised estimate and invoice Evidence required: Identify the difference between FD’s cost and disbursements Explain why we are obliged to provide an itemised estimate Prepare a written itemised estimate and a final invoice

Any questions?