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.

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. 

In the case of Cremation it will typically be for the Cremation fee, Doctor's fees (where applicable) and for a Minister or Celebrant to take the service.

Other disbursements fees may include a Church fee, Piper, hire of a specialist hearse.

Disbursement fees should be the same regardless of which Funeral Director you use.

Disbursement fees for Burials will typically always include a fee for a service in Church as well as the cost of purchasing or reopening an existing grave.

Burial fees are not shown here as there are many variations depending on the type of grave, depth of grave, location of grave. We would be happy to advise you of these costs based on your specific requirements.

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.

As of 16th September 2021 all Funeral Directors are legally obliged to comply with the Competition Market Authority (CMA) by publishing on their websites a series of documents. These must also be available for you to download. These include a 'Standardised (CMA) Price List' as well as an 'Additional Options Price List' 

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. Typically we would require settlement three days prior to the funeral service taking place. We understand that organising payment at short notice can be difficult and will do all we can to support you in reducing any unnecessary pressure. Where a bank, building society, solicitor or insurance company is dealing with the account in full we would simply require official written notification from them stating that the invoice would be paid within reasonable time of the funeral taking place. Where financial support is required from the DWP to help towards funeral costs we will assist you with the claim process.

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 standard discount for full settlement of the account in advance of the funeral taking place and 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.)