Exceptional Service and Attention to Detail
We pride ourselves on our exceptional service and attention to detail, however our high standards are not reflected in our fees as we are one of the more affordable Funeral Directors in the North East.
Our Funeral Costs
Each funeral we undertake is personal and unique and to a certain extent, you are in control of how much the funeral will cost. A funeral account is made up of two sections, firstly our professional fees which we have complete control over, secondly, the disbursements (3rd party fees) which are determined by each individual party. For example, the cremation/burial fee, officiant fee etc. No matter which Funeral Director you appoint, the disbursement fees should be the same.
A very simple cremation without attendees (sometimes known as a ‘Direct Cremation’) is available from £1500.
However, for simplicity a typical funeral undertaken at Sunderland Crematorium is from £3492 or South Tyneside Crematorium £3360. This is the total cost inclusive of:
- Our professional fees, including:
- Making all funeral arrangements
- Conveyance of the deceased to our funeral home during working hours
- Facilities and care until the day of the funeral
- Oak veneered coffin
- Funeral Director and all personnel
- Hearse
- One seven seater limousine
- Doctor’s fee (for the completion of the Cremation form 4)
- Cremation fee
- Officiant fee (for a minister, celebrant or humanist)
All of our professional fees are displayed on the ‘Standardised Price List’ which each Funeral Director is legally required to publish.
Standardised Price List
All funeral directors are legally required to publish this price list for a standardised set of products and services. This is to help you think through your options and make choices.
The above document also includes:
- Costs of Additional Products & Services
- Crematorium Prices
- Our Terms of Business
- Disclosure of Interests
Financial Support
The person arranging the funeral is responsible for the funeral costs and depending on their individual circumstances, financial support may be available from the Department of Work and Pensions. Although this support will not cover the full costs, the contribution will nevertheless be invaluable.
If the application for financial support is successful, the DWP will usually pay the cremation or burial fees, doctors fees (if applicable) and an additional £1000 towards the funeral director’s professional fees.
Typically, the DWP payment is not awarded until after the funeral, therefore it is important that you take this into consideration when planning your loved one’s funeral. If you are on a budget, please be assured that we have supported many families who find themselves in this situation and we have still helped to organise a fitting farewell without the need of unnecessary expense - sometimes less is more!
For more information please use the link to the DWP website below.
Bereavement Support Payment
If your husband, wife or civil partner has died within the last 21 months, they were under state pension age and have paid at least 25 weeks National Insurance in one tax year since April 1975, you may be eligible for bereavement support which is made up of one payment and then up to 18 monthly payments depending on circumstances.
For more information please use the link to the DWP website below.
www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment
Funeral Finance
Unless you have a pre-paid funeral plan, the often unexpected cost of a funeral is sometimes beyond the financial resources available. We work with Funeral Safe, a company which provides simple, accessible and affordable finance for covering funeral costs. They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are governed by an independent supervisory board.
The process of checking eligibility could not be simpler, you can apply online or over the telephone.
For more information, to call funeral safe, check eligibility and apply online please use the link below.
https://funeral.loans.funeralsafe.co.uk/john-duckworth-funeral-directors/
Mrs. D. Gibson, Tunstall
"From the minute you walked through the door, it was clear that you see your role not so much as a job but rather as a vocation. You were just the people we needed to guide us through the whole process."
