General Chat

I read (cannot verify it) that US companies bought up most if not all of the UK
funeral directors / undertakers who kept the business name that people were familiar with.

The direct calls annoy me too.
I was fielding them very soon after my husband died and told them it was a sensitive time and I was fully aware how much funerals cost.

A friend was telling me that someone she knows died and a funeral firm was contacted.
Thinking that the money involved was beyond their means, they approached a small family run firm, who provided the same requested funeral for over £1000 less.

Few would want to 'ring around' following a loved one's death, so perhaps it's wise to investigate beforehand.

A dignified simpler the better funeral suits me, without copious amounts of flowers to feed the cemetery's rabbits.

I once received unsolicited an offer to pre pay for a funeral package.

Their sales pitch concluded with an apology if their offer had arrived at
a sensitive time :-(

I agree Shirley, but I don't find the funeral plan adverts particularly scary - just very annoying. There is absolutely no need to spend the amount of money stated in some adverts...funerals can be kept to a bare minimum. I don't like some of the things I see on FB either, where families are setting up a fund to ask for help in financing a funeral for a relative. Horse and carriage funerals are not my scene - keep it simple but tasteful.

Due to circumstances, OH watches daytime television quite a lot. All we get, is a constant stream of adverts featuring funeral plans, sick children, starving children and cruelty to animals. Most of these request that we donate to each and every worthy cause - it must be thought that those who watch television during the day have limitless funds! :-|

Yeah, I would be happy with that. Its not like its going to make any difference to us.

I agree Eldrick. I've told my children to put my body forward for medical research.
Helps forensics - and they provide the funeral (albeit a couple of years later)

Put me on a garden fire or chuck me in a deep hole. I don't care. Why should I? It's not as if I will be able to take part in anything. I've told my family I don't want anything, cheaper the better. By all means have a party and a booze up, but don't expect me to leave any money for it as I'm bequeathing anything I may have to some obscure charity like save the gerbil or something.

I hate these cold callers and can't even be bothered to play games with them anymore. :-D

I hate them also Shirley. I have a rant every time one comes on !

trouble is eveyone is out to make money whatever the occaision is.

Can I be chucked overboard and be useful in feeding the fishes.
Probably be more of a pollutant
:-(

They are so scaremongering. Why would you be responsible for hotel expenses etc when you lose someone
If someone wants to attend a funeral they make their own arrangements surely


When hubby passed away we knew folks would have to travel so daughter and I arranged the funeral to allow family time to travel

From home it was only OH and one car for us and the family met us at the crematorium
We asked folks for numbers who would attend so as to provide for after funeral reception

We didn't pay for any thing else

Hubby had a very dignified funeral and after reception for just over £3500


The adverts for more than that are just,scaremongering