For the initial meeting to discuss funeral arrangements please contact us to make an appointment. If you are unable to get to our offices we are happy to make these funeral arrangements in the comfort of your own home.
How to arrange a funeral can be a daunting experience but we will do everything that we can to support you through it. When you come to making funeral arrangements we will need to ask you a number of key questions, some of which we have listed below. In our experience, people who have thought in advance about these questions are better prepared and are often able to complete the procedure without the need for further consultation with other family members which only adds unnecessary stress at this difficult time.
Did your loved one have a Golden Charter Funeral Plan with A & A Walters?
If so their wishes will be outlined and the majority of the funeral costs will already be covered. If you are able to find any associated paperwork then please bring it to our offices when making the funeral arrangements. If they had a funeral plan with another provider then don't worry, we may still be able to carry out the funeral for you, but please bring this to our attention prior to making any funeral arrangements.
Will the service include cremation or burial?
If the answer is 'cremation', then you should also give some thought to which crematorium. Also, do you wish to have your loved one's cremated remains returned to you, to be scattered in the crematorium Garden of Remembrance or interred in a plot?
If the answer is 'burial', then you should also investigate whether there is an existing grave already belonging to the family. if so there may be a deed of ownership. If you are able to locate this then please bring it with you when making the funeral arrangements. Please be aware that you are unlikely to have a deed where the grave is situated in a churchyard.
What type of service would you like?
We are able to arrange religious and non-religious services on your behalf with ministers of all faiths and denominations. Please consider if you wish to have a service in a church or other place of worship before the committal at the crematorium or graveside. Should you opt for a cremation then the service can take place at the crematorium chapel prior to committal.
Would you like limousines to accompany the hearse?
Our luxury Jaguar XJ limousines each hold six mourners (seven by prior arrangement) and are equipped with full leather upholstery and air conditioning for your comfort. We are happy to transport young children but would request that you provide any relevant child booster seat and check that these have been installed correctly before departure.
Do you wish to have the funeral arrangements announced in the press?
We are able to place an announcement in the local or national press on your behalf to inform family and friends of the details of the funeral service. This may be accompanied by personal tributes of close family. We are more than happy to help you draft such notices or alternatively these can be completed at home and provided to us at a later date.
In addition we are able to offer a free online memorial website which can be used to share details of the service as well as enable friends and family to share message of condolence, memories and photographs. It can also be set up to enable people to make charitable donations either by debit or credit card.
Would you like us to arrange floral tributes?
Our experienced florists are able to produce a wide array of floral tributes. Please ask to see photographs of their work when making the funeral arrangements.
Would you like us to design personalised Order of Service?
We are able to provide fully personalised order of service to a range of designs and colour schemes.
What music and/or hymns would you like during the service?
A funeral should be a highly personal event and what better way to celebrate the life of a loved one than by playing a favourite piece of music during the service.
We are also able to produce a unique video tribute; a montage of photographs, music and videos which can be played as a focal point of the service or the reception which may follow. Ask your funeral arranger or find out more at www.movingtribute.co.uk
Do you have any special requests?
Afterall, this is your personal tribute and so it should be exactly how you want it.
Past requests have included:
- Use of the horse-drawn hearse, our vintage hearse or motorcycle hearse.
- A special route for the cortege to travel on the way to the funeral service.
- A bespoke coffin or casket.
- Release of white doves during the service.
- A piper leading the hearse.
We will endevour to meet all possible requests, but would ask that these are brought to our attention when the initial funeral arrangements are made to enable us the best chance of fulfilling your wishes.