The loss of a loved one is tragic, but it is inevitable – we have all experienced it at different points in our lives. But it’s one thing to experience a loss – it’s quite another to be involved in the funeral. Planning a funeral for your loved one can be difficult; there is so much to consider. You also want to make sure that you have a fitting send-off and have done everything they have wanted you to do. Often, it’s challenging to do it alone, and many of us rely on funeral directors. A funeral director will tell you, for instance, that one of the first decisions you have to make is whether or not to have a burial or cremation. But what are the differences between the two? If you decide that a burial is a right step, you must know what it costs and what is involved. Here, then, is your guide to burials: the cost, the requirements, and more.
The paperwork/documents you need
The paperwork you need for a burial is not that difficult to acquire, provided you have guidance from a funeral director who will confirm the necessities. According to the funeral directors in Leeds from Carroll and Carroll Independent Funeral Services, you first need to present a burial certificate or a green form. You can obtain this when you register your loved one’s death, which is the first thing to do after someone’s death.
Afterwards, you also have to fill out an application form for a burial plot to purchase an entirely new grave or open a burial plot. The form is given by your local cemetery or council. Typically, the right of burial is for 75 years, and the plot will have a few conditions to it, depending on the kind of grave you want. If you or your family already owns the rights to a burial plot, you can present a Deed of Exclusive Rights of Burial or proof that you are the right person to have the right of burial.
If a coroner is involved, you will have to present a burial form 101 instead of a green form.
Where to hold a burial service
You have several options when deciding on a burial service, which include a cemetery, a churchyard, or a woodland burial. The plot will be prepared in advance to ensure it has the right size for the coffin and is in the proper location.
What happens at a typical service
As mentioned, the burial service often happens after the primary funeral service. It is common practice for the mourners to scatter bits of soil on top of the coffin once it has been lowered onto the plot; some prefer to spread flowers onto the grave instead. Once you are done with the ceremony, you can place tributes of flowers near the deceased’s grave.
What is the cost of a burial?
The cost of burial will change depending on where you are in the UK, and it is more expensive near major cities. The cost includes the EROB or Exclusive Right of Burial, the internment (for the preparation of the plot), the removal of an existing memorial, and the purchase of a new headstone or memorial. It also includes the cost of a casket or coffin for the deceased.
