It is an unfortunate fact that we will all need to arrange a funeral at some time. Death is the only certainty in life yet strangely, we don't tend to talk about our plans with others either because it's simply not a popular or pleasant subject to raise or maybe because we think there isn't much in the way of support or advice to ensure we cope the unpleasant experience that it can be.Compared to other countries like the USA funeral directors in England are not obliged to join a professional association or obtain an operating license therefore anyone can open their own "funeral service" business for trade.
This means some funeral directors will not be abiding to set regulations, practices or codes of conduct like those laid down by the N.A.F.D or S.A.I.F for example so as a customer you are left extremely vunerable to potentially ruthless individuals who take on the liberty of calling themselves funeral directors.
The following links may help you choose a qualified funeral director.
http://www.nafd.org.uk
http://www.saif.org.uk
When we arrange the funeral for our loved ones we place enormous trust in people we do not know who may be unqualified, uncaring, or have little experience, there are many bereaved families who will never forget the pain or distress caused by an ill run funeral home.
Complaints against funeral companies have soared and whilst the vast majority of funeral directors are exceedingly professional and members of the NAFD or SAIF which provide redress services for these situations, it is appalling that there still exists a percentage who are not so it would seem you have nowhere to go, any complaint you have would first have to be made to the funeral company and if it wasn't resolved you would then have to use the courts to pursue a claim for compensation.
The purpose of this site is to raise awareness to the choices as a paying customer you have and to ensure that the tributes you pay to your loved ones are fitting and personal.
Over the years I have listened to families tell me of their experiences of other funerals they have attended or arranged and I have cringed at some of the horror stories I've heard, but usually the stories are related to something the funeral director did that they did not like and while it may be impossible to satisfy the tastes of some individuals it is a fact that families who have discussed at length all the options available have put together arrangements that have been truly satisfying to those that matter, the people who knew and loved the deceased.
The funeral service is the tribute we use to say goodbye to the ones we love who have died, how the funeral is put together is so important, you must tell others of your wishes otherwise somebody else will decide for you.
