What is a burial service?
This step-by-step guide provides an overview of what happens before, during and after a burial funeral, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the ceremony.
Read on to find out:
What paperwork will you need for a burial service?
When arranging a burial service, we will check we have everything we need to start the process. Before a burial funeral can take place, we will need paperwork that allows it to happen; our caring professionals will make sure these are completed and submitted.
When your loved ones death is expected due to an illness and this has occurred at home or in a nursing home contact should be made with their GP in the first instance to inform him / her on what has happened. They may then visit or arrange for a registered district nurse to do this on their behalf. Arrangements will then be made for the GP to prepare a Medical Certificate to verify the death; this is usually collected by you directly from the Medical Practice of the GP within the next or a few days later. When you have this you can then telephone the local Registration Office to make an appointment to formally register the death when the necessary certificate will be given. You must register, where possible, within 5 days of the death.
In Kidderminster it is usual to make an appointment on telephone number 01905 768181 and attend the Registration office located at Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF. The Registration Office offers a free service called “ Tell Us Once ” this means they will contact on your behalf any government related department to notify them of what has happened e.g. anything to do with benefits, driving licence etc. They will also make contact with local Councils.
Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation
Also known as the green form, you should obtain this when you register the death of a loved one.
Burial plot application form
If you wish to purchase a new grave or re-open an existing burial plot, you will need to sign an application form which is issued by the local council or cemetery.
The exclusive right of burial is typically purchased for a period of 75 years and the burial plot will have certain conditions attached to it depending on the type of grave.
If your family already own the Exclusive Rights of Burial for a grave, and you can produce either the Deed of Exclusive Rights of Burial or evidence that you are the proper person to have the Burial Rights, then arrangements can be made for an interment to take place.
If a coroner or procurator fiscal is involved
If a coroner holds an inquest, an order for burial (form 101) will be issued in place of the green form.
In Scotland, if a post-mortem is held, the death certificate will be issued by the pathologist. The funeral can take place after the death certificate is issued. A copy of the post-mortem examination report, which usually gives the cause of death, can also be requested.
What happens before a burial?
Before the burial takes place, the hearse will take the coffin or casket to the cemetery or churchyard and limousines carrying chief mourners will follow in the funeral procession.
Depending on the beliefs of you and your loved one, a burial service can be religious or non-religious. Some burials begin with a separate funeral service, which can be held in a place of worship or other venue separate from the cemetery.
What happens at a burial service?
Whether the burial is in a churchyard, cemetery or woodland burial site, the plot is prepared the burial plot in advance either by ourselves or the cemetery staff, ensuring it is the correct size and in the right place ready for when the service is held.
A burial ceremony is usually a short service held after the main funeral service as the coffin is lowered into the ground. Mourners are often invited to attend the burial, which may include short readings and prayers, depending on religious beliefs.
It is common tradition to scatter soil onto the coffin after it has been lowered, while other people may choose to throw funeral flowers into the grave. When the ceremony concludes, family and friends place floral tributes near the grave.
Burial plots
Our professional and understanding funeral arrangers will be on hand to check regulations and availability when choosing a grave or burial plot for your loved one.
You may already have a family burial plot which we can arrange to be reopened before burial. If this is the case, we will require the deeds and relevant paperwork.
If you would like your family to be buried close to each other, you can inquire about purchasing or reserving multiple plots. If this is the case, please speak to the local authorities about their specific burial plot rules and regulations.
How much is a burial?
Burial costs vary significantly across the UK and are beyond our control. Our funeral professionals will be on hand to co-ordinate these third party costs. Please see ‘Our Costs‘ for further information.