Burial

• What is the best eco-friendly coffin?
  Wicker coffins and cardboard coffins are often considered to be the most environmentally-friendly type of coffin. However, while the choice of eco-friendly coffin material is important, it is also important to consider where the coffin is made. Our traditional, wood veneer coffins, for example, are made just down the road by ethical funeral suppliers in Tewkesbury.
• What happens at an eco-friendly funeral?
  An eco-friendly funeral is where steps are taken to minimise the impact on the environment. For example, to reduce car mileage and fuel consumption, families may choose to forego the traditional coffin procession, instead making arrangements for the hearse to go straight to local crematorium or cemetery.
• Is a cremation an eco-friendly type of funeral?
  A cremation can be considered to be an eco-friendly type of funeral as there is no burial, which means less impact on the environment. However, there are other environmental costs associated with cremations which you might consider, such as whether the crematorium uses green energy in its proceedings.
• Can I be buried in my local church?
  Unfortunately, not every church in Gloucestershire allows burials to take place, so this will be up to the vicar’s discretion. At this point, the vicar will look at factors such as the length of time you or your family have lived in the area, and the deceased’s involvement with the church.
• How much does a burial cost in Gloucestershire?
  Burial costs in Gloucestershire can vary depending on where the burial takes place. The cost of a burial plot will depend on availability and whether the burial is in a church graveyard or a council-run cemetery. There are other burial costs to take into consideration, such as the fees for opening and reopening graves and replacing headstones. See our Funeral Price page for more information.
• Should I choose a burial or cremation?
  There is no right or wrong answer about whether to choose a cremation or burial. Cost may be a deciding factor, in which case, cremation, especially a Direct Cremation, could be a good option. However, a graveside only burial is also a cost-effective funeral service idea. If you are thinking about an Eco-Friendly Funeral, then there are advantages and disadvantages to both cremation and burial which might sway you.
• How do we plan the service?
  It is important that you have the sort of service that you feel most comfortable with. When a clergyman is involved he would normally contact the next of kin and arrange to meet in order to plan and discuss the most appropriate form of funeral service. This is the time to mention any special music, readings, poems or tributes you may want during the funeral service. You may like a tribute of personal memories spoken by a close personal friend. Remember that each service is unique and a tribute to the person who has died.

Cremation

• How much does a direct cremation cost?
  Our direct cremations cost £1795, which must be paid upfront. For a breakdown of what other services are included in our direct cremation prices, please look at our Direct Cremation price list, Our Direct Cremation with In-House Ceremony costs £2100 and is inclusive of the fee for an unattended cremation and any associated doctors’ fees for cremation certificates. See our In-House Ceremony price list for more information about what is included.
• Can I have a remembrance service after a direct cremation?
  With a direct cremation, there is no service or attendees on the day of the cremation. It is also not possible to select the date of cremation if you are having a direct cremation. However, our new In-House Ceremony provides the chance for family and friends to say their goodbyes in an intimate and personal setting within our Tewkesbury Chapel of Rest as an additional service to a direct cremation. Or, we can arrange for a service of remembrance to take place on a date after the direct cremation if this is something you feel would be welcome. 
• Is a direct cremation a cheap funeral service?
  As there is no actual service or ceremony associated with a direct cremation, it does work out as a low-cost type of funeral. This means that there will be no attendees.
• Is a cremation an eco-friendly type of funeral?
  A cremation can be considered to be an eco-friendly type of funeral as there is no burial, which means less impact on the environment. However, there are other environmental costs associated with cremations which you might consider, such as whether the crematorium uses green energy in its proceedings.
• Where can I scatter the ashes after a cremation?
  Where you scatter the ashes after a cremation is largely down to personal choice. Some people choose to scatter ashes in the Garden of Remembrance that are often found at the crematorium, while others follow the funeral service with an interment some weeks later. Or you might prefer to scatter the ashes at a location that was close to your family and your loved one. Whatever you decide, it is important that you don’t rush into a decision. 
• Is a cremation more cost effective than a burial?
  A cremation can work out more cost-effective than a burial as there are fewer associated costs but an unattended cremation is perhaps the most cost-effective funeral; take a look at our Direct Cremation page for prices. Or, take a look at our new In-House Ceremony that offers the convenience and cost-effectiveness of a Direct Cremation but also gives you the chance to say your goodbyes in a personal and intimate venue.
• Should I choose a burial or cremation?
  There is no right or wrong answer about whether to choose a cremation or burial. Cost may be a deciding factor, in which case, cremation, especially a Direct Cremation, could be a good option. However, a graveside only burial is also a cost-effective funeral service idea. If you are thinking about an Eco-Friendly Funeral, then there are advantages and disadvantages to both cremation and burial which might sway you.

Direct Cremation

• How much does a direct cremation cost?
  Our direct cremations cost £1795, which must be paid upfront. For a breakdown of what other services are included in our direct cremation prices, please look at our Direct Cremation price list, Our Direct Cremation with In-House Ceremony costs £2100 and is inclusive of the fee for an unattended cremation and any associated doctors’ fees for cremation certificates. See our In-House Ceremony price list for more information about what is included.
• Can I have a remembrance service after a direct cremation?
  With a direct cremation, there is no service or attendees on the day of the cremation. It is also not possible to select the date of cremation if you are having a direct cremation. However, our new In-House Ceremony provides the chance for family and friends to say their goodbyes in an intimate and personal setting within our Tewkesbury Chapel of Rest as an additional service to a direct cremation. Or, we can arrange for a service of remembrance to take place on a date after the direct cremation if this is something you feel would be welcome. 
• Is a direct cremation a cheap funeral service?
  As there is no actual service or ceremony associated with a direct cremation, it does work out as a low-cost type of funeral. This means that there will be no attendees.

Eco-Friendly Funeral

• Is a cremation more eco-friendly than a burial?
  It is generally thought that a cremation has a lower carbon footprint than a burial, however, there are some questions to consider. For example, are any harmful chemicals used in the embalming process, and does the crematorium use green energy to operate? Perhaps the most environmentally-friendly type of funeral is a Natural Burial, where the body is returned to the earth in as natural a way as possible.
• What is the best eco-friendly coffin?
  Wicker coffins and cardboard coffins are often considered to be the most environmentally-friendly type of coffin. However, while the choice of eco-friendly coffin material is important, it is also important to consider where the coffin is made. Our traditional, wood veneer coffins, for example, are made just down the road by ethical funeral suppliers in Tewkesbury.
• What happens at an eco-friendly funeral?
  An eco-friendly funeral is where steps are taken to minimise the impact on the environment. For example, to reduce car mileage and fuel consumption, families may choose to forego the traditional coffin procession, instead making arrangements for the hearse to go straight to local crematorium or cemetery.

Unattended

What to do when someone dies

• How am I going to cope with all the things that have to be done?
  Don’t worry. We are only a phone call away to help you make some order of the disorder. Please feel free to contact us. We will be pleased to offer friendly, professional advice.
• What happens when someone dies in hospital?
  You will normally be informed by the hospital. Please contact us to let us know as soon as possible. We will inform you of the best procedure. We will arrange a convenient time to sit down and discuss the funeral arrangements with you.
• What happens when someone dies at home or in a Nursing Home?
  Usually a doctor is called. Once the doctor has been, please telephone us to arrange the removal to our Chapel of Rest. We provide experienced staff 24 hours a day to effect the removal within an hour of your call. A funeral director will contact you either that day or possibly the next morning to arrange a convenient time to sit down and discuss the funeral arrangements.