ARRANGING THE FUNERAL.

Everything that family and friends ever thought about a loved one is expressed on that day. A lot of people admit that they are daunted as “they have no idea where to start”, or “never done this before”. This is where you can rely on our expertise to guide you through the process and the different options available.

During the initial discussions, we will identify what, if any, arrangements have already been made; by the client, family, or the deceased themselves. Our first question will be whether the deceased is to be buried or cremated. If they are to be cremated, this will enable us to request the doctors start completing the required documentation at the earliest opportunity.

We will then guide you through the different options available so that together we can provide a funeral service personalised to you and your loved one.

Sometimes everything can be finalised in one meeting, or sometimes it is a more gradual process, taking several meetings and/or phone calls. This is normal; immediately following a bereavement you may not be ready to deal with making all the decisions, and often there are other family members that need to be consulted.

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BURIAL OR CREMATION?

Crematoria

Our closest crematorium is Shrewsbury, but Telford and Hereford are within easy distance if these venues are more suitable. We are not restricted to these locations; we can lead a funeral at any location across the UK. Crematoria prices and facilities vary across locations, but all have the facility to hold a funeral service in their chapel and to play music within the service.

Alternatively, families can choose a local place of worship to hold the main funeral service and then have a shorter service or committal at the crematorium either before or after.

Following cremation, the family also needs to consider the final resting place for the cremated remains. This could be:

• Scattering the cremated remains at the Crematorium,
• Scattering the cremated remains in a place personal to yourself and/or the deceased.
• Interment of the cremated remains in a cemetery, churchyard, green burial site or garden of remembrance.

Burial

Greenhills is our local cemetery which is managed by Church Stretton Town Council. They operate a resident / non-resident system of charging for the purchase of a grave. Graves can be selected if there is a preferred location in the cemetery, they can also be purchased in advance, but this is subject to an additional charge.

Single or double depth graves can be dug, so if more than one person wishes to be buried together, this can be done. Cremated remains (in a casket), can also be buried in the same plot.

There will be a fee payable to Church Stretton Town Council for the purchase of the plot and also the internment of the/ each deceased.

Churchyards

If you are a parishioner then you can be buried in your local churchyard. Due to the lack of available space, there may be some restrictions and limitations as to who can be buried there.  We will be able to advise you about these.

Green Burials

A green funeral service is very much concerned with reducing the effect a funeral has on the environment, to help achieve this a green funeral most commonly involves a burial.

The environment of a green burial ground is kept as wild and natural as possible. The attitude is one of gentle calm and a returning to nature.  Here are two green burial grounds each of which offers something different.

 

South Shropshire Remembrance Park

South Shropshire Remembrance Park, approximately 6 miles from Church Stretton, is situated in an area renowned for its natural beauty and historic past. The park’s mature woodland and open spaces offer a scenic and artistic environment with unrivaled views along the Wenlock Edge and to the Stretton Hills. There is a small wood lodge suitable for services or short pause following interment, and an area for parking vehicles.

Further information can be found here

 

Westhope Green Burial Ground

Westhope Green Burial Ground is located in the South Shropshire hills near Craven Arms. It has been used as a location for green burials since 1997. Being set in an orchard, it is well stocked with traditional varieties of apple trees and is also grazed by a flock of rare breed sheep. Early on in the year, it is a real picture with the snowdrops and daffodils flowering, followed by the apple blossom. There is a small service chapel within the grounds which can be used for religious or non-religious services. Areas are set aside for cremated remains to be scattered or buried. You can visit Westhope at any time and the chapel can be opened on request.

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THE FUNERAL SERVICE

Who will lead the service?

One thing that needs to be decided is what type of service is required and who will lead it. Some people have a specific individual in mind, others are unsure.

If it is to be a religious ceremony is it to be held in your local church or another location prior to burial or cremation, or do you wish the Minister to take the service at the Crematorium or even solely at the graveside?

If the service is to be held at the Crematorium then there are more options available:

• The Minister from the Parish where the deceased worshipped/lived, or one of the clergy team, from any religion.
• We work with a number of Celebrants, for those who prefer a non-religious ceremony, or service with minimal religious content.
• A family member or friend can lead the service if they feel confident enough to do so.

We will discuss the range of options available to yourselves, and then make the arrangements to meet your wishes. Once the time, date, and location has been agreed with the identified person, we will pass on your contact details, and those of the deceased, so they can contact you and arrange to meet up and plan the content of the service.  They will then talk you through the service, and advise you on music, hymns (if required), readings, and other possibilities.

A useful website if looking for ideas on poems, readings, hymns can be found here 

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Personalising the service

If the service is to be held at the Crematorium, music options are available through a media system that has an extensive catalogue with thousands of pieces of music, songs, and hymns.  If your chosen piece is not instantly available, as long as the piece has been professionally produced then they should be able to source it for you.

There is a range of other services available at the crematorium (this may vary depending on location), which assist in making the service bespoke and personal to you/the deceased.  Some of these include;

Visual tributes; either one or up to 25 photos being displayed. More than 25 photos can be included however there will be an additional charge for each additional 25 photos.  Please see the crematorium price list for further details.

Vocal tributes; if someone wishes to contribute to the service, but is unable to be there in person.

PowerPoint presentations.

Live webcast; if someone is unable to attend but wants to view the ceremony.

These are all arranged through us, so please let us know if you wish any of these to be part of the service. Please see the funeral costs section for costs associated with each additional service available at the Crematorium.

An organist is also available to play music during the service and accompany the hymns if this is your preference.

Non-religious music can also be played at the Church, either through the Churches’ media playing facilities, or we are able to provide this for you. We can provide the playing of music and loudspeaker services at any location, inside or outdoors.

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Our Fleet

We have two hearses available which are used as the means of transportation to all funerals unless requested otherwise.

We also own a limousine that can seat a maximum of seven mourners. If additional cars are required, these can easily be sourced.

Other means of transport can be used, such as a horse-drawn hearse, motorbikes; we will endeavour to meet any request.

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Paying for the Funeral.

We can give an estimate as to how much different aspects of the funeral are likely to cost. A full quote can be provided once all the arrangements have been agreed upon.

The funeral account will be prepared between 7 – 14 days after the funeral, and will detail:

Our Professional Fees; which include all the resources required for the collection, care of, and funeral of the deceased, and support given to those making the arrangements.

Disbursements; all third-party costs which are outside the control of A.S Morris & Son.  This is likely to include crematorium/church fees, officiant fees, doctors’ fees (if a cremation), newspapers, flowers, orders of service, coffin, and additional cars.  (Not an exhaustive list).

Currently, we accept payment by cash, card, cheque, or internet banking.

Payment for the funeral account is due within 30 days of the invoice date.  Most families prefer and are able to pay the account in full, but we also recognise that funds are not always available immediately, and so, if you wish to pay in installments, by direct debit, please discuss this with us, before the 30 days is up.

Financial assistance, in some circumstances, may be available through the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) Social Fund for Funeral Payments. If you meet the criteria for this assistance, they will pay a contribution to the funeral account, but the remaining balance will need to be met by yourselves.

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Arranging your funeral – in advance

Some individuals may have their own ideas as to how they would like their funeral to be.  If you are one of these people, and/or to assist the person eventually responsible for arranging your funeral, you may find it helpful to note down your ideas, requests for music, and so on. This way you can be sure your wishes are met, and it will provide comfort to those arranging the funeral knowing that they are carrying out your wishes.

Again, some people find it reassuring to provide us with a copy of these wishes, so when the time comes, we know we have a copy of your wishes kept securely on the premises.