Bit macabre, sorry, but I'd be very grateful for any help or advice. I've not had to do this before, I'm helping out my dad with his mother's funeral.
I get the idea that it's quite easy to get ripped off if you don't know what to look for and/or you go to the wrong place.
It's going to be very small, and a cremation, so I think all we're looking for is organisation, transport, wreath, inexpensive, non environmentally-demanding coffin (i.e. not tropical hardwood! pine? willow? cardboard even?)
I've got a few numbers, and I'll be ringing round in the morning. Does anyone have any personal recommendations in the IoM?
And can anyone warn me of unexpected questions/considerations that might be thrown at me and might completely stump me when I'm on the phone?
And do you haggle? Do they give you a really high price for starters and expect to either get away with it or be beaten down? I'd imagine that there's a percentage of unscrupulous types in the business who take advantage of fragile mental states and the lack of need to cultivate long term business relationships with customers.
If this seems overly cynical and business-like, I apologise, especially if there are others out there are in the same position. I didn't know my grandma very well, and I'm trying to look after my Dad. And it's not my money that's being spent.
Thank you very much for any help,
Ed
Don't apologise - we'll all need it one day !
FWIW I helped sort out my Dads last October and quite honestly i felt that the undertaker was takin gthe p1ss price wise and i spoke to them about it quite openly. I eventually managed to agree a price that was less than 50% of their original price by, i suppose, haggling. I mean i wasn't going to chuck the old boy in a wheelie bin (as per his written request - i jest you not!) but i felt that what they were charging for things like hourly rates was quite appaling. And yes it was the familys money, well my mums money and I did not like the attitude that this is 'how it is'. Can;t remember specifics but there were some 'items' that really did not exist at all and were just fluff. Anyway, we had a good time if you can say that, it was fast, respectful and altogether quite a good way to send him on his way. So yes, if you can negotiate then go for it - its a service and services are always open for negotiation in my humble opinion.
Ed - ken faragher in Onchan is good - he did my mum last August (not really sure how else to put it). ken is distant family - great aunts nephew.... good service (had to get my younger brother out of Russia and couldn't have managed it without Ken). also helped with death cert as for various reasons only my aunt was on Island and cert was delayed... i'm not at work till next week - ring me tomorrow on 07624 421067 if its any help
Practical things - don't forget death grants -multiple copies of death certs helped(another thing Ken , or any decent undertaker should be able to help you with). i am mum's administrator for my sins and it's alot of hassle, and the forms for administration were the worst written i'd ever seen.
i had to stump up all costs, and it cost quite a bit between the funeral and General Registry fees... still got a house to sell too.
Best wishes in all thats ahead - feel free to ring if it helps - only busy about 9.45 am - 10.15 tomorrow (consultants) Steve Ormerod aka stevio
oh, and i didn't haggle over fees - Ken did about 110% of what i expected and gave me a discount too. `not really sure what i could measure it against really....
Thanks Col and Steve, Ken Faragher is one of the numbers I have, so I'll definitely call him along with a couple of others. I'll have to see what's what when I've got a few numbers to compare.
I had no idea about death grants, she was in a nursing home, so I would hope that the paperwork is in good order, or at least that the death certificate has been properly issued.
Cheers again,
Ed