How do we register the death?

A death which occurs in a hospital is normally registered by the hospital staff. However, a death which occurs at home or in a nursing home should be registered with the local Redister of Births, Deaths and Marriages be a relative, a person present at the death or an occupier of the house in which the death occurred.
The person who goes to register the death must bring with them a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death signed by the Medical Practitioner (Doctor) who last regularly attended the deceased.
Deaths which have been referred to the Coroner are registered when the Registrar receives a certificate of the post-mortem or inquest from the Coroner. You should contact the Superintendent Registrar's Office (listed under Health Boards in the telephone directory) for the name and address of your local Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

What is the role of the Funeral Director?

To assume responsibility for the ensuring that every aspect of the funeral is organised and carried out in keeping with the religious and personal preferences and within the agreed budget.
To provide help, support and guidance when and as required.
To provide relevant information and assistance before, during and after the funeral.
To care for the deceased in the areas of preparation and presentation for viewing.
To arrange the care and transport of the deceased and that of the mourners and payments to do with the church, cemetery, crematorium, newspapers, florists, musicians, caterers and others.

What is embalming?

Embalming is a service not only for the benefit of the deceased but also for the benefit of the mourners. It allows the deceased to be presented with natural colouring and the absence of odour or other unpleasant changes, which would otherwise naturally follow soon after death. It is a service carried out by our professionally trained and qualified embalmer Michael Cross P.E.A.

We have two qualified beauticians on our staff, Marion Cross C.I.B.T.A.C. and Sarah Cross C.I.B.T.A.C. who can assist in special make up requirements the bereaved may have for the deceased.

Cremation or traditional burial?

All of the Christian denominations including the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland are happy to allow cremation. In keeping with the procedures for burials it is normal, but not obligatory, to hold service in your local church. The coffin is then removed to the Chapel in the Cremation grounds where a short committal service, similar to that which would take place at the graveside, is carried out. At the time of making funeral arrangements it is not always easy to realise the emotional benefit that is gained after the funeral by having somewhere that you and your family can go back to, knowing that your loved one is there. Nowadays there are options to choose from whether you chose a traditional cremation. The cremated remains can, for example, be placed in the family plot in the local cemetery or in the Columbarium Wall of Garden of Remembrance in Glasnevin Cemetery. We will be pleased to discuss the available options with you when arranging a funeral.

What is a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan?

A Pre-Paid Funeral Plan allows any person the opportunity to plan in advance and to make financial provision for a funeral sometime in the future. Such plans are often used to give assurance that the costs of a funeral will not be a source of difficulty, especially to relatives and friends. They are sometimes used to order, and thereby guarantee, desired funeral arrangements.

When and how are the funeral costs paid?

At a difficult time, arranging a funeral can be a trying experience for relatives and friends of the deceased. All the more so when it comes to making decisions about the funeral details themselves and the costs involved. The cost of the funeral is one of the primary worries for anyone who assumes the responsibility for arranging a funeral. In this context, the specific role is to assist you to decide on a funeral which conforms with the wishes of the deceased and the needs of the family, and which is within the family's financial circumstances. As members of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors, we are required by the Association's Code of Practice to discuss funeral costs when the funeral arrangements are being made, subject to the family indicating that they would prefer costs not to be discussed at the time. While arranging a funeral, the person responsible for making the arrangements will be informed about the various costs involved and left free to decide on the arrangements. When the funeral arrangements have been agreed, we can provide the person responsible with a detailed breakdown of the specific charges making up the total funeral cost.

The cost of a funeral is made of two types of charges as follows:

Charges by the Funeral Director - to relate to the services and materials provided by
us, and include, for example, costs of the coffin, hearse, limousine, habit/shroud, and embalming.
Disbursements are payments to third parties (e.g. grave purchases, grave opening,
cremation charges, churches, newspaper notices, flowers, organist, soloist, catering) which are incurred as part of the agreed funeral arrangements and which we pay on your behalf. It is important to distinguish between these two types of charges. Both are costs covered or paid out by us according to your specific instructions and on your behalf. However, disbursements are charges payable to third parties for agreed services and often require immediate settlement by us. Very often, the disbursement element makes up a significant proportion of the overall costs of the funeral. Cost of grave purchases is a case in point, one that represents, unfortunately, an ever increasing cost element in a funeral.

When is the funeral account due for payment?

Funeral accounts are typically presented a couple of weeks after the funeral takes place, and the family is asked to settle the account within a matter of weeks. Sometimes families experience difficulty in finding the money to pay the funeral account. Delays can occur for a number of genuine reasons (e.g. wills, insurance), all of which are understood and appreciated by us. If you find there are difficulties with a payment of the funeral account, please talk to us as soon as you can, We have experienced this situation many times and will be able to help.

What is a Death Grant?

This is a lump sum, payable on the death of an insured person, or of the spouse or dependent child of an insured person. The Grant is paid provided contribution conditions are satisfied, either on the deceased person's record or on that of the spouse or parent of the deceased. Only insurance contributions paid since 1970 are of value for the Grant which must be claimed three months from date of death. Claim forms are available from: Department of Social Welfare, Deaths Grant Section, Ballinalee Road, Longford. Tel: (01) 874 8444 or (043) 45211.

Is there any assistance towards funeral costs?

In case of exceptional need, a payment may be made to people who require assistance with the cost of a funeral. You should apply to your local Community Welfare Offices who will forward your application for decision by the Board.