DIY FUNERALS
Although most funerals are arranged by funeral directors there is no reason why you shouldn't do part, or all, yourself. Most funeral directors are willing for you to take as active a part as you want to in the arrangements. Be it burial or cremation it can be arranged independently but be prepared, you need to be able to cope with many rules and regulations, and the paperwork that goes with them, and be an extremely good organiser.
The New Natural death handbook covers everything you need to know about arranging a funeral yourself, you can find them on www.naturaldeath.org.uk. Or contact The Natural Death Centre, 20 Heber Road, London NW2 6AA Tel:020 8208 2853. Alternatively visit www.diyfunerals.co.uk on their new website.
Buying a coffin There are several companies that make and supply coffins :-
Celtic Casket 40 Monk St Tutbury Nr Burton-upon-Trent Staffs DE13 9NA, Tel: 01283 521104
Danisco Pack Westminster New Raod Sheerness Kent Tel 01795 580051 www.greenburials.com Greenfield Ltd Braintree Essex CM7 3JJ Tel 01376 327074
P. A. Ginns Compacta Ltd The Old White Cottage Desford Leics LE9 9GS Tel 01455 828642
Some woodland burial grounds and local authority cemeteries sell coffins to those that are prepared to collect them. Check in your area. There are also some funeral directors who sell coffins to the public who are not using their other services they include:
J. E.Gillman & Sons who deliver for free within five miles of their premises in Tooting, London SW17 - tel 020 8672 1557.
D. Howell & Sons in Blackpool - tel 01243 355663
John Simpson Ltd in Carlisle - tel 01228 512471 Beechwood Funeral Services in Cheltenham - tel 01242 228208
Graham J. Clegg Independent Funeral Service in Liverpool - tel 0151 520 3330
E.M. Kendall in London - tel 020 7254 6519 Green Undertakings in Tutbury, Staffs. Tel 01283 815992
E.C. Hodge in Wisbech, Cambs (tel 01945 587477) are coffin manufacturers who are willing to sell direct to the public . They also deliver as does Vic Fearn in Nottingham (tel 01159 771571).
A willow coffin can be purchased from The Somerset Willow Company, Wire Works Estate, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4AP (tel 01278 424003) or from Tony Carter who can be contacted on 01953 887107.
The Green Funeral Coffin sell a variety of coffins.They can be contacted at 286-288 Church Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3YH (tel 0121 693 0204) There are several carpenters who make coffins including Stephen Briggs, 42 Vanbrugh Park, London SE3 7AA (tel 020 8293 3365) a cabinet maker who makes to order or Bryan Frisby, Sally Clarke and Neil Tinder, Burrowlee House, Broughton Road, Sheffield, S6 2AS (tel 0114 2852459) who make coffins to your specifications . Some companies offer advice and assistance for DIY funerals as well as selling coffins such as : Undertaken With Love, Unit 1, Mandale Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees,TS17 6AW. Tel: 01642 606789 Heaven on Earth, 77 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol BS6 5OJ .Tel 01179 264999
Regale, Funerals Supermarket is a company that sells everything you will need they are based at 227 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 9PT - tel 020 8925 2010
Transporting the body A van or large estate car will be adequate but hearses can be hired from firms such as Cardinal Funeral Carriages in London, tel 020 8520 5340. Some funeral directors will also provide transport so ask locally.
