Funeral

[rsvp]

Hi - haven't been on here for a while so hope everyone is well. Have been trawling through websites trying to get info on organising my own funeral. I have no family in this country and just want my remains disposed of as simply and cheaply as possible. Maybe in shroud, cremated and scattered in woodland. I am an organ donor and have explored leaving my body to medical science but don't want to go down that route as there are too many reasons why they don't except bodies for it to be an option for me. Thanks.

[spathiphyllum]

The issue is, to plan a funeral, you usually need a death certificate. There are a lot of funeral payment plans that are well established, but i think you'd find it hard to "plan" / arrange a funeral for yourself.

Another option would be to create a will, specifically highlighting how / where / when / why you want what to happen and how.

[spathiphyllum]

Check out ageUK (or similar sites) for more advice. You would have to work with a established company / society to help for fill your wishes to how you want them.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs27_planning_for_your_funeral_fcs.pdf

[rsvp]

Thanks for the answer - good idea to contact age concern - I'll start with that.

[MallyJ]

Whilst I am no expert..and I am sure one will be along soon...I have been thinking along the same lines as you and am planning a visit to a funeral directors to set up almost exactly what you have said. I was going to find a funeral director and tell them to do exactly as I ask....I will have to pay for them to fetch my remains and do to them what the law demands but cheapest container to the crem and a scattering of ashes...or a dustbin. I suggest you look at local funeral directors for prepaid funerals and insist on the cheapest possible. I have heard that some try to hike up the cost by suggesting adding brass handles and the like but generally that may be for any family left.

[spathiphyllum]

The issue is, most funeral directors need a death certificate, and a date for the funeral / arrangements.

This can be quite hard to provide if alive.

I'm sure some directors have systems in place for those with out many people around them to assist with these arrangements, but i think places like ageUK are about to help assist with those types of things.

The important thing is to make sure you have an up to date will that can define exactly what you wish for when you die. A will isn't just have to be for possessions, but also proceedings.

I guess to comes down to the individual funeral directors.

[cashier]

Try googling no attendance cremation. I heard of someone who had one of these, no hearse, no service, no mourners. She had nobody, arranged beforehand where her money (not a huge amount) should go and that was it.

[Barmaid]

Who is to be the beneficiary of your Will? Whilst funeral wishes are not legally binding, if you put clear directions in your Will (unless there is likely to be a falling out) in my experience they are honoured. Especially if backed by a comprehensive funeral plan.

[gness]

Spath....I have paid for and arranged both my funeral and my mother's. We are both still alive so no death certificate needed.....and I used the Co-op so I could use my reward card.... :-)

Nice to see you, rsvp......speak to a funeral director...they're very helpful....x

[woofgang]

there are loads of companies who will give you a price for what you want and take the money now, then when you die, all someone had to do is contact them and produce the paperwork....Golden promise is one such...I know nothing about them except the name have had no dealings with them at all its just to give you a starting point. I wouls suggest three things....that you make sure that whoever is going to deal with your affairs knows about it and not just as a part of your paper work, but well ahead of time so they know not to start the process with anyone else.....that you chooose a scheme with national coverage if you don't know where you will die and last that there is coverage built into the plan in case the company goes out of business.

[spathiphyllum]

Gness, it seems that is the case because you used a 'third party' service like the coop funeral care.

[gness]

I did, Spath.....couldn't see how else I was going to get myself into the wicker coffin and out to the woodland...x

[spathiphyllum]

Exsactly! which is why these services are good.

RSVP i would advise to

1. have an up to date will and make sure it's officially registered.

2. talk to a third party like 'CO-OP funeralcare' or 'ageUK'

3. inform your family members of these actions and your wishes.

[Barmaid]

Spath - can you explain how to get a Will "officially registered"?!

(There is no such thing - you can (as I have said) include your wishes in your Will but they are not binding).

[bainbrig]

Definitely the Co-op. I remember my old man's death back in the 60s, and how the undertakers were showing my mum glossy brochures of fancy oak coffins, at fancy prices. Upset her no end.

When it came to her death in the 90s, I went to the Co-op. No hard sell, just sympathy. She wouldn't have wanted me to 'waste money' on the fancy extras, so I didn't.

I do hope they haven't changed since then.

BB

[rsvp]

Wow what a wealth of suggestions - thank you all so much and am going to digest this info (some of it I loosely checked out, some not) -all my family live abroad with my children/grand children being beneficiaries plus a couple of UK based charities - have just re-written my will and the solicitor is executor as don't want anyone flying over to UK to plant me in the ground. Occurred to me my wishes should be in my will and I didn't mention this so before I finally sign need to get it in place.
So appreciate the help.

[spathiphyllum]

"Spath - can you explain how to get a Will "officially registered"?! "

as far as i'm aware.. you can't just write on a piece of paper that "this is my will" and then list where you want things to go and how you want things to be. You need to go to a registers office to officialise it and there needs to be one or two 'Executors' as far as i'm aware. I may be wrong.

[ToraToraTora]

best way is to do nothing at all the state will do a basic funeral.

[Barmaid]

You are wrong.

The requirements are that the Will is
a) in writing
b) signed by the testator
c) his//her signature is witnessed by two or more witnesses (preferably not beneficiaries) or
d) his/her signature is acknowledged in the presence of two or more witnesses (preferably not beneficiaries)
e) each witness attests and signs the Will in the presence of the testator/testatrix but not necessarily each other

No other formality necessary.

[gness]

Spath....I made my own will.....two friends witnessed it, I have an executor which will only be changed if he dies or goes doolally before I do....and the children have both read it so they know exactly what to do. I didn't go anywhere to have it registered.

[spathiphyllum]

OK so them proceedings would officialese the will, and a basic piece of paper, would not be a will, as i said.