We are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) and subscribe to their current Codes of Practice (we can supply copies on request). We aim to act professionally and provide a courteous, sensitive and dignified service to you.
Estimates and expenses
The estimate overleaf sets out the services we agree to supply and is an indication of the charges likely to be incurred, based on the information and details we know at the date of the estimate.
Whilst we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the estimate, the charges are liable to alteration, particularly where third parties change their rates of charges. We may not know the amount of the third-party charges in advance of the funeral, however, we give you the best estimate in the written estimate. The actual amount of the charges will be detailed and shown in the final account.
If you amend your instructions, we will require your written confirmation of the changes and we may need to make an extra charge per the prices published in our current price list. We will also add VAT to our charges where applicable, at the rate applicable when we prepare the invoice.
Payment arrangements
We operate a pricing policy in compliance with the NAFD and SAIF. Our estimate provides clients with a full and detailed explanation of our charges as required by the code(s).
In addition to our charges, disbursements must be paid to Doctors, Officiants, Cemeteries and Crematoria fees and such. You will be given a written estimate of all charges (where we can) incurred for the service you have requested.
We require a down payment towards funeral costs, no later than 5 working days before the funeral takes place – the amount required will be clearly detailed on the estimate. If the down payment is not paid within the timescale, it may result in the funeral being delayed or cancelled and if delayed or cancelled, you will be charged for any costs we have incurred.
We ask for this estimate to be signed as authorisation to proceed and consent that you accept the charges and will be liable for payment of the account when submitted.
Accounts are usually dispatched 5-10 days after the funeral. If you wish, the account may be forwarded directly to your solicitor. We reserve the right to add interest on all outstanding accounts at 2% per month on accounts that remain unpaid after 60 days and any legal and court costs incurred due to non-payment.
If you are making a claim for financial assistance from the Department of Work and Pensions, please note that stringent rules apply as to the amount of help available. Please talk to us, in confidence, for guidance.
Our bank details to make BACS payments are:
HSBC
Sort code: 40-18-36
Account number: 20650552
Data protection
A copy of our GDPR privacy notice will be provided to you in your funeral pack.
Standard of service
The NAFD Code of Practice require that we provide a high quality service in all aspects. If you have any questions or concerns about the service we provide to you, please raise them in the first instance with us via your Funeral Director – we can provide our complaints procedure on request.
If that does not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, the NAFD offer a resolution service, as an alternative to legal action. You can contact them here:
0121 711 1343
info@nafd.org.uk
www.nafd.org.uk
National Association of Funeral Directors, 618 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1AA
right to cancel
The following only applies if funeral arrangements are made in the client’s home.
You have the right to cancel our contract by sending or delivering a cancellation notice in writing to us at our address, any time within 14 days from the date you have signed to begin the funeral arrangements. The right to cancel can be lost during the cancellation period if the service is provided in full before the 14 days elapses. Where applicable, payment may be required to cover any services carried out or disbursements paid, once the performance of the contract has begun and before the cancellation notice is received. You may copy the Estimate of Expenses cancellation form if you wish to do so.
To cancel our contract, complete and return a copy of the Estimate of Expenses cancellation form within 14 days of the date you have signed to begin the funeral arrangements.