A 'Direct' or non-attended funeral is one set on a date and at a time of our choosing. There is no ceremony and family or officiant are not in attendance.  As you would expect, your loved one will still be treated with the same dignity and level of respect as all loved ones placed within our care. The total cost for this service is £1,995.00 (selected crematoria only.) Certain other restrictions apply - please ask for details.

Funeral costs are made up of two key elements - 'Disbursements' and Funeral Director 'Professional Services.'

Disbursements are fees paid to third parties over which the Funeral Director has no control - these may include crematoria fees, burial fees, doctor fees, minister fees etc. Professional Services are the costs charged by the Funeral Director themselves which are broken down into itemised costs for services which may include the conveyance to the Chapels of Rest, coffin, vehicles, preparation and embalming (if required,) viewings in the Chapels of Rest, arranging and conducting the funeral service.

Disbursements are costs that we pay out to third-parties on your behalf. 

Standard disbursements costs for a Cremation (as of March 2020)

Service at Gornal Wood Crematorium ~ £912.00 | Service at Sandwell Valley Crematorium ~ £775.00 | Service at Bushbury Crematorium ~ £825.00

Doctors fees (necessary for crematorium unless replaced by Coroner's Certificate) ~ £164.00

Minister or Celebrant ~ from £170.00

Standard disbursement costs for a Burial (as of March 2020)

A service in Church ~ These can vary in price between £230 and £450. A Minister's fee is typically included in this cost.

Purchase of a new grave or re-open of an existing grave. Costs for this vary considerably depending on the Council, type and depth of grave. We would be happy to advise you on these costs.

Although disbursement costs should be the same regardless of the Funeral Director you choose, we are aware that charges made by Funeral Directors in the areas that we serve vary considerably. Our own price comparisons have shown that some local Funeral Directors charge in excess of £1,500 more for a comparable funeral with no noticeable difference in the level of care, service or attention to detail than we ourselves offer. We would therefore always encourage people to ask about Funeral Director charges before making funeral arrangements. In the event that another local Funeral Director advertises that they are able to offer the same level of service, quality and care at a cheaper cost and you are left wondering 'Why Choose A and A Walters?' then our 'Price Promise' is your guarantee that we will look to beat their price. 

At the time of arranging a funeral service you will receive a fully itemised written estimate showing the breakdown of disbursements and professional fees. Based on these costs a payment will be calculated which we ask is settled at least 3 days prior to the funeral service.

Typically you will receive a fully itemised invoice 7-10 days from the funeral taking place, with payment requested within 30 days of the funeral date under normal circumstances. Payment can be made in cash, by cheque, BACS transfer, debit or credit card. 

You may be able to apply for a Social Fund Funeral Payment to help with funeral costs and we have information on who may be eligible and how to make a claim. Payment can only be authorised by the Department of Work and Pensions who can be contacted at www.dwp.gov.uk.

A Funeral Payment claim form (SF200) can be downloaded here, obtained from a Jobcentre Plus office or by calling the DWP Bereavement Service helpline (available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm): 0345 606 0265

The claim form – which comes with notes and details of where to send it – can also be downloaded here.

Please remember that you are personally liable for any amount in excess of the agreed payment by the Department of Social Security (DWP), or indeed the whole invoice amount if a payment is not received.

If you do not qualify for a payment and will struggle to meet the cost of a funeral please inform us at the time that the funeral arrangements are made as we may still be able to advise you on other forms of assistance.

As well as our 'Price Promise' we are also able to offer a discount for all local NHS staff and their immediate family.

(Terms & Conditions (NHS Discount) ~ A current NHS photo identification must be shown at the time funeral arrangements are made. The discount applies where our client works directly for either Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton or Walsall NHS Trusts and is the either a parent, child or spouse/partner of the deceased. To receive the discount, the full cost of the funeral must be met prior to the funeral taking place by either BACS, cash, debit card, or cheque. The discount does not apply to delayed settlements i.e. solicitors or insurance claims. This discount will only apply to our 'Willow', 'Oak' and 'Chestnut' services and not Funeral Plans or our 'Direct' or 'Simple' service packages as these are already discounted. No further discounts will apply. Any NHS discount is deemed discretionary by the Directors of A & A Walters Ltd. who reserve the right to alter these terms and conditions at any time.)