Cost Of A Funeral?

[yelenots]

My Mum is in a nursing home and is very poorly. Today I have been asked if my Mum has any wishes (burial/cremated) and if I had a funeral director in mind.
Not sure if it is a 'done' thing to contact them *before* she's passed away to ask about prices.........would I be frowned upon if I called into a couple of locals one to ask?

Any idea of prices for just a 'basic' funeral package?

Thanks

[choux]

Sorry to read that, yelenots. Of course the funeral directors won't mind - they provide a very personal and comprehensive service and will be pleased to advise you.

[boxtops]

so sorry to hear your news, yele. No, of course they won't mind - it happens all the time.....

[Peter Pedant]

I was on an ITU - not feeling that cr+p I have to say
and certainly not thinking I would die ( I didnt)

my brother came in and fainted... and on the way back home
said: time to get an undetaker to my partner
so No it is OK from personal experience to prepare

I dont event hink they mind being told they are not needed yet

The absolute minimum is £600 and the normative cost is £2 000.
You can think of prepaying - there is a thread saying his rel saved £4k doing that

My instructions to my heirs were quick bake and shake and spend the rest on the p=ss-up. You may have different views

Good luckand hope it goes OK

[choux]

The cost will depend on what arrangements are to be made. The f.d. will be able to give you a breakdown of costs depending on what your basic requirements are. It is no bad thing to find out what the expenses are likely to be, especially in view of what the nursing home has told you. Sending you best wishes.

[choux]

This may be of interest

https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

[yelenots]

Thank you for your kind words. I suppose the nursing needs to now who the funeral directors are so they can be contacted to take her - perhaps that's why they have asked me? Its just all so upsetting and I know its just going to get worse :-(

[yelenots]

Thank you choux......I'll have a read

[choux]

Indeed, hard times ahead, but at least you know your mum is getting round the clock care and attention, something you may take comfort in.

[anneasquith]

im sorry , but I think it very inappropriate of the nursing home to ask you these questions, as your mum is still alive.

[seekeerz]

Sorry to hear that, yelly, wish you all the best

[Peter Pedant]

It is a week end coming Anne.

Being a subject of this, I thought it was sensible to set out what would happen. Family I think - in 1994 my mother arranged everything and when she died we all took up our allotted and previously agreed positions....and mechanically did what we had been told to do.

[sherrardk]

I think the nursing home are just preparing you. It might also be a good idea to have a 'plan' so that when the time comes you don't have to be phoning around, etc. Take care, x

[gness]

Yelnots....My brother and I have just done this for my mother who is still with us but in a home.

We visited the funeral home and chose and paid for everything. All in place and needing just a phone call when she dies.

If your mother is paying her own fees I think you can use about £3,000 of her money to do this.

A funeral costs as much or little as you want really.....don't be pushed into expensive coffins and use your own cars for mourners...if that is your wish.

You won't be frowned upon at all so don't let that concern you.

[wolf63]

I think that it pays to be prepared (if only in your mind) for the task of organising the funeral.

My dad died suddenly and I found his body in his home, there were ambulance guys, doctor, Police involved. I was asked about funeral arrangements at this stage and making a decision in such circumstances is not easy.

yelenots - my best wishes to you.

[Peter Pedant]

I am sorry for that Wolf - it is chaos when that happens...

[eve73]

No you wouldn.t be frowned upon, it is a good idea to enquire.
The cost can be somewhere between £2500 and £3000 depending on what you want. A Burial is dearer than a cremation.

[marval]

I am sorry for your news, no funeral director will mind you asking questions. You will probably feel better having prepared ahead.

[boxtops]

I don't think it's at all unreasonable, anne - the home needs to be prepared, too.

[anneasquith]

well, im very much in the minority here, best wishes yel.

[Peter Pedant]

.hope it goes OK Y - the week end and everything.... Pp