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Original poster

As promised Funeral Director here (waves)

388 replies

oohnarna · 01/06/2018 20:08

I am ready for your questions!

I will do my best to answer, I have a few bits I am doing at home but will answer regularly throughout the evening as much as I can.

SmileWineGrin

OP posts:
Tupperwarelid · 01/06/2018 23:02

Are there ever female pall bearers at funerals if the deceased doesn’t have any male relatives that can carry the coffin? Are coffins a standard weight or does it depend on the type of coffin, weight of the person etc?

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 01/06/2018 23:01

If a family have specifically said that they won't be viewing a body do you still prepare them in exactly the same way ie. ensuring that they look natural, suturing the mouth etc.

Apple23 · 01/06/2018 23:00

Do you need permission to move a body from one county to another within the UK? Who grants this - is it ever refused and what would you do then?

I live near a county border with the Funeral Directors in the nearest town being in the next county. Do the FDs need permission to move the body from home/ hospital to their building and back again for the funeral?

coffeehasgonecoldagain · 01/06/2018 22:57

Having recently been through a bereavement, I'd like to know what happens to the body from when it is collected from a house until it's taken to the crem please. How do you move the body from a bed to the ambulance - in a bag or covered in sheets? And then what happens when the body arrives at the FDs? Thanks very much

Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:57

We suture the mouth. Using a needle and thread. This is the best method. Some FDs use glue but this doesn't look as natural.

OP posts:
brizzledrizzle · 01/06/2018 22:56

@FVFrog Flowers

user546425732 · 01/06/2018 22:55

Sorry, I should have clarified - they live overseas.

Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:55

Holiday insurance would likely pay for repatriation. Lots of people with no family have funeral plans in place and a representative to over see the funeral arrangements.

OP posts:
therockinggazelle · 01/06/2018 22:54

How do you seal the mouth?

ToadOfSadness · 01/06/2018 22:53

Thank you.

Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:53

Our miracle - if cremation on one of the legal forms it is asked 'have all near relatives been informed of the cremation'

Burials not so many forms as the coffin ca be exhumed it needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:50

Toad of sadness - I can't speak for all FDs but we would make him as presentable as possible, if needed we would sew the wounds for him or we might call a specialist embalmer in to assist. We would be guided by the family also.

OP posts:
user546425732 · 01/06/2018 22:50

What happens if a relative dies overseas where they have no family?

DewDropsonKittens · 01/06/2018 22:50
Flowers
Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:49

Solittetime - it can depend on how the mouth naturally falls, false teeth can make a difference and the method used to seal the mouth closed.

OP posts:
OurMiracle1106 · 01/06/2018 22:48

If a close living relative is not informed of the death of a parent/sibling etc is that recorded within the paperwork?

If my only adult blood relative wasn’t notified of my death (as is my wishes) would a funeral director legally have to inform them?

Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:46

Hugs to white vixen xx

OP posts:
Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:45

Brizzle - legally there is nothing stopping you changing the plans in place.

OP posts:
derenstar · 01/06/2018 22:45

Thank you @Maelstrop. I didn’t realise emergency services would be involved but makes total sense.

MarSeeAh · 01/06/2018 22:45

Flowers for FVFrog.

MrsDilligaf · 01/06/2018 22:45

FVFrog

So sorry for your loss Flowers

LifeWillFindAWay · 01/06/2018 22:44

Frumpety

There is a difference between certifying (confirming) death and writing the medical certificate of cause of death.

Confirming death can be done by any doctor (they don't have to have known the patient) - so this can be an out of hours GP. This needs to be done before the deceased can be moved. Non-doctors (e.g. nurses) can also confirm death with appropriate training.

The medical certificate of cause of death needs to be issued by a doctor who has been involved in the care of the patient and (usually) seen them in the last 14 days. The process is different if a post mortem is required. This needs to be done before the death certificate can be issued by a registrar.

Original poster
oohnarna · 01/06/2018 22:44

FV - so sorry for your loss. Glad the FD looked after you and they will continue to do so throughout the whole process, so please don't worry xxx

OP posts:
MrsDilligaf · 01/06/2018 22:43

@Cutyourshakehole

The similar thread by @Ilovekermit is now in Classics so it won't disappear. I'm sure this thread will join it as it is really informative.

ToadOfSadness · 01/06/2018 22:43

WARNING, VERY SENSITIVE

When a person has been murdered ie: stabbed multiple times and kept by Police for 6 weeks/2 months how is the body prepared, what happens to the stab wounds, are they sewn up although the body is likely to be empty of blood? Sorry to ask but have wondered this for a long time and no-one to ask. Obviously the coffin was closed before it went to the chapel of rest.