Burial
For the family the day of the funeral is one of apprehension, grief and many other feelings and emotions. We understand this and are here to assist you through the day.
It is normal for us to arrange to join you and your family at a particular address or location, to leave in a Cortege to the House of Worship where the service will take place.
The religious service will take approximately 35 to 40 minutes, unless you have added more eulogies, music or prayers. When the time comes to leave, the Funeral Director will walk towards the coffin and ask the bearers to stand by the coffin (4 or 6 bearers is normal). They will then guide the coffin out of the building and the Funeral Director will escort the family behind. The coffin will be lifted into the hearse and the family will be shown to their cars.
We then leave for the Cemetery, whether it is close, or a few miles away, we will endeavour to keep everyone together in a dignified and organised Cortege. We travel at about 10-15mph in a town and the maximum speed elsewhere would be 40-45mph. More details of the cortege can be found in the Cortege paragraphs.
When we arrive at the Cemetery, we ask the bearers to come forward and where possible we use a trolley or Bier. The family are then asked to follow the coffin to the graveside. The coffin is placed on the grave, the bearers are instructed to lift the cords, and then we wait for the minister to give us the instruction to lower the coffin. The minister will perform the appropriate committal service. In most services it is customary to throw soil on to the coffin. If this is a part of the committal service, it is usual for the Funeral Director to do this, but we can allow a family member to perform this ritual. The graveside service is normally 15-20 minutes. It is also usual for families and friends to throw soil, flowers or items onto the coffin as they remember their loved one or friend.
This is the end of the Funeral and the Funeral Director’s remit. If you have organised a funeral tea or wake you leave when you are ready.
Please note: the above statement is a general guide as to how we conduct Burial services, if you are unclear or need any further information please do not hesitate to call Arwel, Phyllis or Helen at the office.
Cremation
For the family the day of the funeral is one of apprehension, grief and many other feelings and emotions. We understand this and are here to assist you through the day.
It is normal for us to arrange to join you and your family at a particular address or location, to leave in a Cortege to the Crematorium or House of Worship where the service is to take place. The religious service will take approximately 35 to 40 minutes, unless you have added more eulogies, music or prayers. When the time comes to leave, the Funeral Director will walk towards the coffin and ask the bearers to stand by the coffin (4 or 6 bearers is normal). They will then guide the coffin out of the building and the Funeral Director will escort the family behind the coffin. The coffin will be lifted into the hearse and the family will be shown to their cars.
The Cortege to the Crematorium at Bangor or Colwyn Bay will take approx 1 hour. We leave about 20 minutes to spare in case of unforeseen circumstances. We will endeavour to keep everyone together in a dignified and organised cortege. We travel at about 10-15mph in a town and the maximum speed elsewhere would be 40-45mph. More details of the cortege can be found in the Cortege paragraphs.
When we arrive at the Crematorium, we ask the bearers to come forward, lift the coffin from the hearse onto a trolley or Bier, the family are then asked to follow the coffin into the Crematorium Chapel, where the coffin is placed at the front on the catafalque, the bearers are then asked to rejoin the family. Everyone is shown to their seat and the minister begins the committal service. We, the Funeral Directors, retire to the back and organise, with the Crematorium Staff, any music that has been requested. At Bangor crematorium they allow us to have 30 minutes for the service. At the end of the service the Funeral Director will move flowers to the remembrance windows and guide the family out. You may if you wish spend a moment by the coffin before leaving. The flowers are left at the crematorium for 48 hours and then discarded. You may prefer take them with you.
N.B. At Bangor Crematorium the coffin, with the permission of the family, is lowered just under the line of sight, as part of the religious committal service. You can request that the coffin is not lowered as some people find this disturbing. Your minister should mention and confirm this with you. Although it is not our responsibility, we can inform the minister of your wishes.
This is the end of the Funeral and the Funeral Director’s remit. If you have organised a funeral tea or wake you leave when you are ready.
Please note: the above statement is a general guide as to how we conduct Crematorium services. If you are unclear or need any further information please do not hesitate to call Arwel, Phyllis or Helen at the office.