It is often assumed, quite wrongly, that funerals can be completed only with the use of a funeral director.

For information email call the Cemeteries Officer on 01621 875747, or fill in our online Contact the Cemeteries Officer e-form.

Although a funeral director will be invited to organise the majority of funerals, some people prefer to organise funerals themselves.

The Funeral Director typically organising the funeral by collecting and moving the body, arranging embalming and viewing of the deceased, providing a coffin, hearse and other elements. Carrying out these services relieves the bereaved from doing what they may feel are unpleasant and difficult tasks. Ultimately, the funeral director must operate commercially and in charging for his or her services, funerals can be expensive. In addition, the Funeral Director imposes him/herself on the arrangements to a greater or lesser degree.

Some people do not wish to use a Funeral Director. This can be for a wide variety of reasons. They may feel that passing the body of a loved one over to strangers is wrong. Some feel that personally organising a funeral is their final tribute to the deceased person. Others may simply wish to save money by doing everything themselves or may have used a Funeral Director on a previous occasion and found the experience unsatisfactory. Some may feel that funerals arranged with a Funeral Director are routine and processed, and some may desire an innovative and different approach. It is, of course, your right to make this decision without giving a reason.

The entire funeral can be handled by the bereaved family and charter members are able to assist in facilitating this. Such a funeral is referred to as 'Personalised' or 'Independent'.

Funeral Directors are people who will assist the bereaved in organising a funeral for a fee. They may offer a vehicle to carry the coffin and assist in handling the body. Other people, such as nurses, may offer laying-out or body preparation services, to avoid people having to do this themselves. this may be particularly relevant when a person dies at home within a 'hospice at home' scheme.

Responsible Officer Contact Information
Cemeteries Officer telephone: 01621 875747 Email: cemeteries.officer@maldon.gov.uk