Type of Funeral

Religious Funeral

Where a family would like a religious funeral ceremony, much of the preparation of the content of the ceremony is often arranged directly with the celebrant.  This will include deciding on:

• The people who will take part and the things they will do
• Favourite hymns or music
• Readings, poetry and prayers
• The removal
• The committal

Carpenter Bros. are available to provide support and advice to the family as they decide how they would like the funeral ceremony to take place. Where a family would like a religious ceremony for their loved one, but does not have a link with a church or other place of worship, we can assist in making the necessary arrangements.  We are also able to assist with advice on:

• Popular hymns and music
• Suggested scripture readings and poetry
• Musicians and singers
• The design and print of a Mass booklet or Order of Service
• Recording of a favourite piece of music to be played at the ceremony
• Church flowers and floral tributes

If you would like a religious ceremony to take place at a location other than a church or other place of worship, we will work with you to locate the best location for your needs and a celebrant.  We will also help you to agree the content of the ceremony providing as much advice as is required.

Civil Funeral

Non-religious ceremonies and civil funerals can be held in a location of your choice, with or without the assistance of a civil celebrant. We will work with you to:

• Find and arrange the best place for you to hold the ceremony (this could be one of our two funeral homes or at the crematorium if choosing a cremation or some other location)
• Help you decide on the removal
• Help you decide how you would like the venue to look
• Put you in touch with one of our trusted Humanist or civil celebrants if you would like a celebrant

Burial

Burial typically takes place in a church graveyard or a local cemetery.  Some families may have a plot and others may need to purchase one. Once you have decided where you would like the burial to take place, Carpenter Bros. will make the necessary arrangements on your behalf. If you have an existing family plot, we will require documentation relating to the grave and we will also need to check that there is space for a further burial.  If you have an existing headstone, we can also arrange for a new engraving to be carried out. If you require a new plot, Carpenter Bros. will advise you in relation to availability and costs and once agreed, will make the appropriate arrangements.  We can also advise you on the purchase of a headstone or other form of memorial when the time comes.

Cremation

Should you choose a Cremation, Carpenter Bros. will liaise with the crematorium of your choice to put in place the arrangements. You will normally have the choice of a full service or a shorter committal service.  The full service would typically be chosen by families who do not wish for a separate funeral service to take place.  Either way, we will work with you to ensure that your wishes are carried out. As with a funeral service, we will:

• Put you in touch with a celebrant if you would like one and do not have an existing preference
• Help you decide on the content of the ceremony
• Help you decide on the people who will take part and what they will do
• Help you select hymns, music and/or musicians
• Help you select readings and poetry
• Design and print a committal booklet if you would like one

We will also take care of the Cremation Forms on your behalf. Cremation offers every family the option of collecting the ashes of their loved one which can be kept, buried in a family plot, interned in the Columbarium Wall or Garden of Remembrance or scattered privately at your loved one’s favourite spot. If you would like to transport the ashes overseas for burial or scattering, we will advise you on the requirements of airlines and individual countries.