Choosing a funeral director Alan Puxley It can be difficult to choose a funeral director, especially if you feel under pressure to complete the arrangements quickly. Alan Puxley outlines the steps you need to take.

In this article

Think about what you want Choosing a funeral director

The costs Useful contacts

Shop around and get some quotations for the funeral services you require. If you find this hard to do, then ask a friend to help with phone calls. You're entitled to ask for a breakdown of the charges. Do ensure any quote you get on the phone is put in writing, too.

Don't feel you have to accept all the options presented to you. If you're planning a cremation, for example, you may not want to spend a lot of money on an elaborate coffin. You may also want to choose to supply clothes for the deceased or have a view about what should be placed in the coffin.

The service on offer is usually more flexible than you might think. For instance, you could ask the funeral director to take the deceased from hospital, make any necessary preparations and then bring the coffin to you to be kept at home for a while, or arrange to view the coffin at the funeral parlour. You could ask the hospital or funeral director if they are prepared to store the body while you decide what to do.

Some funeral directors can offer a service which involves female undertakers taking care of the deceased and the arrangements.

In the UK, funeral directors (and embalmers) aren't legally required to have any formal training or qualification. However, there are some guidelines that should help you pick someone reliable:

• The individual. Are they a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors and do they hold its annual licence to practice? Although this licence is the institute's own, it confirms that the holder is professionally qualified, makes an annual declaration to abide by a strict code of conduct and undertakes continuing professional development.
• The company. Is it a member of one of the trade associations - the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) or the Funeral Standards Council (FSC)? All have excellent codes of practice, premises monitoring and good schemes for remedying grievances.

Remember that with any funeral a funeral provider only gets one chance to get it right. Don't be forced to make any decision you're uncomfortable with.

The MCTAC code

This is the abbreviation used by many in the funeral profession to summarise the role of a good funeral provider.

• M is for master of ceremonies. The funeral director's job is to see everyone's in the right place at the right time and that the funeral flows without unnecessary distress.
• C is for custodian. They treat the deceased with respect, caring for them in a safe, hygienic environment and providing a coffin that conforms to burial and cremation regulations.
• T is for technical adviser. They guide you through the many aspects such as registration, disposal of cremated remains, import or export of the deceased, and so on.
• A is for agent. They employ the services of such people as gravediggers, clergy, caterers and florists, and pay the fees on behalf of the family.
• C is for carer. They help the bereaved to be "heard, held and honoured". This involves putting them in touch with everyone who can help that aim.

Make sure you find out when the bill for the funeral is to be paid. If you're not satisfied - either with the costs you're being asked to pay or with the service provided - you should first try to resolve it with the funeral directors themselves. If that doesn't help, you can get advice on how to proceed from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

National Association of Funeral Directors
Tel: 0121 711 1343
Website: www.nafd.org.uk

Funeral Standards Council
Tel: 029 2038 2046
Website: www.funeral-standards-council.co.uk