Whether you want to give your loved one the send-off they deserve or you’re thinking ahead and making the arrangements for your own funeral, seeking advice and support from funeral directors can make life that bit easier.

Although we can’t speak for all funeral directors in Bristol, here at Brunel Funeral Directors, we take on most of the burden of planning a funeral and will:

Arrange the conveyancing of the deceased from their place of death and care for them until the day of the funeral
Dress the body
Help to plan the ceremony
Supply a suitable coffin and bearers
Handle the paperwork to meet legal requirements
Ensure the whole process runs smoothly from start to finish

We refuse to rush our families and will assist you every step of the way – offering bereavement support for as long as you need even after the funeral has taken place.

Here we offer a few top tips to help you find the best for your needs.

How To Choose A Funeral Director

Take your time

Making the arrangements for the funeral can add to the stress and sadness of losing someone you love. That’s why many people turn to funeral directors to help ease the burden. However, you don’t have to settle on the first one you find.

Ideally, you want to choose a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). In the unlikely event of having to make a complaint, these associations will support you.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

When using funeral directors, you want to trust that they will follow you and your family’s wishes as closely as possible.

Try to find out as much as you can about them by asking:

What funeral services do you provide?
Where will the service be held?
What are the timings of the funeral?
Do you offer any additional services?

Some specialise in burials and traditional funeral services whereas others offer cremation services too. Make sure they can help you to organise the perfect funeral for your loved one.

Knowing where the service will be held – and at what time – is always helpful when informing friends and family about the funeral, so they can ensure they arrive at the right place, on time.

It’s also in your best interests to find out about the facilities and any other services. For example, is there wheelchair access and dedicated parking spaces for blue badge holders? Is there an induction loop for those who are deaf? Are guide dogs allowed?

Read reviews and ask for recommendations

After doing your own research and contacting a few different funeral directors directly – either over the phone, via email or face-to-face – you should have compiled a shortlist.

A great way to narrow your options down is to ask friends and family if they can recommend anyone that they’ve used in the past. Perhaps they’ll mention one that you’ve got written down already!

As well as word of mouth recommendations, you want to check online reviews and customer testimonials to find out about other people’s experiences.

Compare prices

Before you choose a funeral director, take a look at their price list if they have one.

Most will offer a cost breakdown to help you decide which items you want or need. They should separate their fees from third-party fees (i.e. crematoriums, churches, doctors and ministers, etc.) so you can see exactly what your money will be spent on.

Finding out whether the funeral director offers affordable finance options will also allow you to budget better. For example, do you have to pay upfront, or can you spread the cost out over several months instead?

Let Us Help

Here at Brunel Funeral Directors, we appreciate that everyone grieves in their own time, so take as long as you need. You’re more than welcome to come and visit our warm, welcoming funeral home on the edge of Westbury on Trym where our small, passionate team can talk you through the available options over a nice cup of tea.

We understand that a traditional funeral service isn’t for everyone, and some would prefer a fuss-free send-off, that’s why we offer:

The Bespoke Service – a traditional funeral tailored to your needs and the needs of your family
The Brunel Cremation – an all-inclusive cremation service delivered with compassion and care
Direct Cremation – a dignified cremation service with no attendees, minister, or ceremony

No matter which you opt for, we provide a simple service at either Canford, South Bristol, or Westerleigh Crematorium (usually at 9.00am, 9.30am, or 10.00am).

All three crematoriums are just a short drive from our funeral home and accessible via car or public transport. They each have the capacity for up to 100 mourners and offer all the facilities you and your family could need.

As well as helping with the arrangements, we can provide:

floral arrangements
live stream videos for those unable to attend in person
masonry
memorabilia
music for the service
scatter tubes and caskets
specialist coffins and hearses

And if you’re looking to plan ahead – saving your family the heartache and financial burden of arranging your funeral – we provide a variety of pre-paid funeral plans from Golden Leaves.

When it comes to paying for your plan, you can pay in one lump sum and forget about it, or you can opt for monthly deposits and spread the cost over a fixed term.

If you have any questions regarding the crematoriums or our funeral services, please feel free to get in touch. Call us on 0117 374 2002, email admin@brunelfd.co.uk, or book an appointment to come and visit us in Westbury on Trym.