Each and every funeral is different and individual to the family concerned. It is up to the family to say farewell in a manner most suitable for them. The following information is here to help answer some of the questions we are most often asked;
What Are Doctors Forms?
For Cremation, two doctors MUST examine the deceased and complete a form. The first doctor must be a doctor who attended the person during their last illness. The duty of the second doctor is one of confirmation and they must not be related to the first doctor through family or practice. Both doctors make a charge for this service, which we pay on the family’s behalf.
When Is The Funeral Account Payable?
An estimate of costs are drawn up during the funeral arrangement, once all costs have been finalised an invoice is sent to the person responsible for the arrangements or a solicitor. The payment for the funeral is required in full before the funeral can take place.
Can We Visit And Pay Our Last Respects?
Yes, our funeral home is open and available to you by appointment. If you wish to visit our private chapel of rest, please ring and inform us when you would like to come and we will be pleased to arrange everything for you.
How Many People Can Be Seated In The Limousine?
Funeral limousines have room for 6 in the rear compartment and 1 in the front with the chauffer, extra limousines can be arranged if required for a large number of people.
How Do We Know What To Do At The Funeral?
On the day of the funeral the Funeral Director is there to help and guide you, your family and your friends. If you have any questions or are unsure of anything please ask the funeral director.
Can The Family Carry The Coffin?
Yes, although we would ask that we are informed in advance if family wish to carry the coffin so we can ensure that it is safe to do so. A full team of bearers will always be in attendance to give guidance to the family members carrying or to take over if the family change their mind.
Can We Choose What Music Is Played?
Yes, if you would like a particular piece of music playing as you walk in or out of the crematorium chapel please inform the Funeral Director as soon as possible. Please note, we have to order the music from an online provider, they require a minimum of three working days notice to provide the tracks. For services in church the music must be agreed with the minister before the service, most churches have facilities to play CDs.
Can We Request Donations To Charity?
Yes, donations can be made in lieu of flowers and we will accept donations on your behalf and forward them to the charity of your choice. Donations may be left in church or at the crematorium or sent to us in the four weeks following the funeral, after which time we forward the total amount to the charity. Donations can also be made online, where an online notice has been placed.
Does The Coffin Move After the Service At The Crematorium?
No, at Lincoln and Lea Fields Crematorium the coffin does not move until all relatives and friends have left the crematorium chapel. A curtain can be drawn around the coffin at an appropriate point in the service, but this is only done at the family’s request.
Is Each Cremation Carried Out Individually?
Yes, the name plate on the coffin is checked by the crematorium attendant before we are allowed to enter the crematorium. Each cremator chamber can hold only one coffin at a time. After cremation the remains are removed and left to cool before being placed in the chosen container, which is clearly identified as to whose remains they are.
What Can I Do With The Cremated Remains?
- You can place them in the Garden of Remembrance at the crematorium, Lincoln Crematorium do not allow you to mark the burial but they do keep a record of approximately where ashes are buried. Family members can be present if they wish, there is a small fee for this. Lincoln Crematorium offer a range of memorials as well.
- You may wish to purchase a grave for interring the ashes, this allows you to have a headstone and have other members of the family buried there in the future.
- You may keep them at home in a special urn or memorial.
- You may scatter them in a special place.
- You may bury them in an existing family grave.
How Soon After A Burial Can I Put A Headstone On The Grave?
If the grave is ‘earth’ it will take 6 months or more before the ground has settled and become firm enough to place the weight of a headstone on it. Some cemeteries put a concrete strip along the head of the graves onto which the headstone is fixed, this avoids having to wait for the soil to settle.