Terms of Business

These terms apply when you instruct us to arrange a funeral. Our estimate is supplied alongside a copy of these terms.

By signing the estimate you authorise us to conduct the funeral, accept these terms, and confirm that you will be responsible for paying the funeral account. Any other written or verbal confirmation to proceed also constitutes acceptance of these terms.

We will carry out the funeral arrangements as described in the estimate using reasonable care and skill. Any changes you request after acceptance will be confirmed in writing and may alter the final price.

Funeral costs are split into two parts: funeral director fees and third-party fees. Third-party fees (also called disbursements) are charges that we pay on your behalf.

During the funeral arrangement we will talk to you about the choices you have and advise you of each of the fees that will be payable for the different options. Your estimate and invoice will be itemised and will show a breakdown of each of the charges that will apply. Our price lists are available for your information on our pricing page and on request.

Examples of funeral director fees include moving your loved one to our chapel of rest, a hearse, your choice of coffin, the care of your loved one, our fees for arranging and conducting the funeral and any limousines you choose to use.

Examples of third-party fees include cremation fees, cemetery fees, minister's fees, newspaper notices, flowers and organist fees.

The third-party figures shown in an estimate are our best estimates at the time of quotation. The final invoice will reflect the actual amounts charged.

Before the funeral takes place we will ask you to pay the third-party charges. This will be the amount shown on your estimate.

For our simple funeral, where we offer one, we require payment of the full amount shown on the estimate before the funeral takes place.

It is important to check whether the person who has passed away had a funeral plan in place. If there is a plan in place, we will talk you through what will be covered by the plan and where there may be additional fees to pay.

We will provide an estimate of any additional costs to you, and you, as our client, will be liable for these costs.

In some instances the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may provide assistance towards the cost of a funeral through a Funeral Expenses Payment. This depends on a number of factors, including your relationship to the person who has died, whether you are their nearest surviving relative and whether you receive qualifying benefits.

You must make a claim to the DWP. If your claim is successful, the payment can help with burial or cremation fees and with up to £1,000 of other funeral expenses, such as funeral director's fees. It will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral.

Please note that if your claim to the DWP is unsuccessful, or does not cover the whole account, you will still be liable for the balance of the funeral invoice. Please let us know if you will be applying for assistance at the time of making the funeral arrangements.

It is sometimes the case that a solicitor or insurance company will pay our invoice directly. Please advise us if you are planning to pass the invoice on to a third party for payment.

We will prepare the final funeral account up to 7 days after the funeral has taken place. We will show the value of the payments made before the funeral, and the balance of the account will be due within 14 days of the date of the invoice.

If an invoice remains outstanding after 56 days, we reserve the right to charge interest at a rate of 8% per annum.

Should we refer an invoice to a debt recovery agency, you, as our client, will be responsible for these costs.

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days of acceptance without giving any reason. If you ask us to begin work within that 14 day period you must sign the waiver provided, in which case you will be required to pay for any services already provided up to the point of cancellation.

Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud. Otherwise, our liability for any loss or damage is limited to the total amount payable under this estimate.

We are committed to providing a high standard of service. If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service please contact us. We are a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and follow their code of practice and complaints procedure.

We process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR for the purposes of providing funeral services, billing and regulatory compliance. Our full privacy notice is available on our website and on request.