BRIEF EXPLANATION OF FUNERAL EXPENSES FUNERAL DIRECTORS CHARGES PAYMENT TERMS BASIC FUNERAL OPTIONS SELECT FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS LOCAL FEES & CHARGES EXAMPLE FUNERAL ACCOUNTS INDEPENDENT ADVICE ON FUNERALS

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF FUNERAL EXPENSES

DISBURSEMENTS: (fees paid on your behalf to external authorities). Fees are usually payable to a number of other parties, over and above the charges incurred for the funeral directors services. These fees, or disbursements, are paid out by the funeral director prior to the day of the funeral to ease your burden and to allow you time to evaluate your own financial situation without interfering with the normal progression of the funeral arrangements. Fees will almost certainly be payable to the crematorium, cemetery or churchyard authority, as will stipend contributions towards the cost of the Minister’s expenses and the use of the church and organ etc. where these are applicable. In the case of cremation there are also fees payable to the doctors completing the cremation certificates. The usual fees for external authority services are listed on our schedule of charges, a copy of which is listed below.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS CHARGES: are those costs which are payable to the funeral director, himself, in respect of products and services ordered as part of the funeral arrangements. These will include charges for the attendance of our staff and vehicle at the place of death to convey the deceased to our Chapel of Rest. The use of the facilities at the funeral home for the care and accommodation of the deceased until the day of the funeral and the receiving of the family and other visitors to the Chapel of Rest. The taking of your instructions and the completion of all the requisite documentation and communications with external authorities to guarantee that the funeral arrangements are carried out exactly to your wishes. The provision of the hearse and limousines and the attendance of the funeral director, chauffeurs and pall bearers on the occasion of the funeral to ensure dignity and respect at this last tribute. And, of course, the supply of a Coffin or Casket hand prepared to your requirements. A proportion of the professional charges will also contribute to the maintenance of the premises and vehicles and to ensuring that an adequate level of staffing is maintained for twenty four hours of every day so that a prompt and personal service is always available when required.

PAYMENT TERMS: Payment for our services may be made by cash cheque or major credit card at any of our branches. Funeral accounts are strictly 60 day from issue of the invoice (aprox 14 days after the funeral service). To further assist our clients in their time of need, we are licensed to offer credit agreements and structured deferred payment arrangements. We are able to consider every application for such an arrangement individually and in complete confidence. One of our senior managers will discuss your requirements with you to ensure that a suitable and affordable payment agreement in designed to meet your individual needs.

Whatever you circumstances or requirements, we aim to provide a sympathetic and comprehensive service.

For those who may experience difficulty in finding the cost of our superior funeral arrangements, we undertake to provide the following basic funeral requirements as fully inclusive services.

DEE:	This funeral package includes our professional attention to all necessary documentation and communications, the provision of a basic coffin with plain linings and attendance with the hearse and bearers proceeding directly from the Chapel of Rest at Hadleigh to a local place of committal on the occasion of the funeral. The price of this arrangement is fully inclusive except for disbursements.
DEBDON:	(This simple funeral package includes our professional attention to all necessary documentation and communications, use of the funeral home facilities including visits to the chapel of rest during normal office hours, the provision of a simple coffin with side sheet linings and attendance with the hearse and bearers proceeding from the house to a local place of committal on the occasion of the funeral. Fully Inclusive cost (except disbursements).
Social Fund Funeral Assistance:	The Benefits Agency will make a contribution towards the cost of a funeral if the person responsible for making the arrangements is receiving a qualifying benefit. This benefit is means tested, other close members of the family may be taken into consideration when adjudicating entitlement to a social fund claim. For those who are entitled to assistance, the Benefits Agency will contribute towards the cost of the provision of the most basic requirements for a simple cremation service or burial in a common grave. The Agency does not consider a Minister or other religious customary requirements to be a necessary part of a funeral arrangement and, therefore, will not contribute to such expenses. The fee for the crematorium or cemetery and other such necessary committal expenses will be met by a social fund grant if entitlement to assistance is proven.

PROFESSIONAL FEE:  (Cost element 1.)	For our professional attention throughout the arrangements, including the taking of instruction from the client, care and accommodation of deceased until the day of the funeral, attention to all necessary documentation and communications, use of the Chapel of Rest and other funeral home facilities and a contribution towards the provision and maintenance of staff in attendance, premises and motor vehicles.
HEARSE:  (Cost element 2.)	The provision of a motor hearse and liveried chauffeur for the dignified conveyance of the coffin or casket and accompanying floral tributes from the Chapel of Rest to the place or service and final committal. (You can reduce this cost by choosing to use one of our quality estate cars in place of the coachbuilt motor-hearse).
LIMOUSINE: (Cost element 3.)	The provision of a specialist built motor limousine and liveried chauffeur for the dignified transportation of the mourning party on the occasion of the funeral service, including their safe return to a local address of their choice (per vehicle).
COFFIN OR CASKET: (Cost element 4.)	As selected from the range below, hand-crafted to your own specification (all joinery craftsmanship undertaken)
DISBURSEMENTS: (Cost element 5.)	Fees and expenses levied by external authorities and third parties in respect of provisions and services included as part of the complete funeral arrangement.

SWALE:	Standard, Oak effect, foil finished coffin with simple design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined with cotton effect side sheets in blue, pink or white.
AVON:	Moulded lid design coffin finished in Oak, Mahogany or Elm effect, with cruciform design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined with Taffeta ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.
NEATH:	Moulded panelled sides and raised lid design coffin finished in genuine Oak, Mahogany or Elm veneer, with bar design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined with satin or cotton ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.
THAMES:	Solid Timber coffin with carved panelled sides and raised lid design, finished in genuine Oak, Mahogany or Elm veneer, with casket bar design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined with satin or cotton ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.

CHERWELL:	Finest quality Solid Timber coffin with Plain sides and raised lid design available in genuine Oak, or Mahogany, with casket bar design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined with satin or cotton ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.
CAVENDISH:	Carved panelled sides and raised lid design coffin finished in finest solid Oak, or Mahogany, with casket bar design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined with superior satin or cotton ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.
VENICE:	Solid Larch wood coffin with Intricate carved side panels depicting the famous ‘Last supper sculpture’. Lined with the finest quality ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.
ASHTON:	English casket with carved panelled sides and raised lid finished in solid Oak, or Mahogany and fitted with casket bar design handles, engraved inscription plate, lined in finest quality satin or cotton ruffle and matching robe in a choice of co-ordinated colours. Necessary attention to hygienic requirements and presentation.
THE DANUBE COLLECTION:	A prestigious range of International Statesman Caskets in different designs and with lavish interior suits. Click here to see a wider range of traditionalcoffin styles Click here to see our range of Eco-Friendly Coffins Click here to view The Danube Collection from 'The Batesville Casket Company'