Funerals are not simply a formality after someone has died, but are an important opportunity to say goodbye as you come to terms with a loss. For some families, a simple, low-fuss funeral feels like the best choice, whilst for others, arranging a personalised and creative service is the most fitting tribute. This is a personal decision for every family arranging a funeral.
Here at Dillamore we can support you in this decision, providing three main types of funeral for you to choose from – direct funerals, limited service funerals and bespoke funerals. In this blog we discuss bespoke funerals in more detail to support you in choosing the right funeral for your loved one.
What is a bespoke funeral?
A bespoke funeral is the most flexible type of funeral we offer at Dillamore, and is best suited to families who want greater flexibility over the funeral arrangements. Bespoke funerals are precisely that…bespoke. There is no prescribed format or package, and you can personalise the funeral in any way you wish.
Bespoke funerals are particularly well-suited to families who want to arrange a ‘celebration of life’ service that reflects the personality and life of the person who has died. Everything from the type of funeral you choose to the transport, venue, flowers, readings, music, officiant and the order of service can be personalised, and there are no limits to what you can choose.
Not every bespoke funeral needs to be highly personalised. For some, the choice to have a bespoke funeral is down to the flexibility they provide, so that you can arrange a funeral that works for you. We have a team of experienced funeral arrangers who will guide you through each step as the arrangements are made, offering guidance, advice and support should you need it.
What are the benefits of a bespoke funeral?
Full flexibility – choosing a bespoke funeral gives you full control over the type of funeral you arrange. There are no limitations, and families are free to create something as traditional or personal as they wish.
Choice of the day and time for the funeral – unlike direct funerals and limited service, which allow little to no choice in the day and time the funeral takes place, bespoke funerals give you far greater freedom to choose a day and time that works for you.
Complete personalisation – Whilst some families just want a couple of personal touches, others want to create something completely personalised. Choosing a bespoke funeral allows you to choose whatever you want, doing things your way and creating a memorable and heartfelt occasion.
What are the downsides of a bespoke funeral?
The burden of arrangement – unlike our funeral packages, which have limited options to choose from, the nature of a bespoke funeral means there are more decisions to be made. For some families, this can feel overwhelming and add additional stress at a very difficult time. Our team can take on as much of the burden of arrangement as you need us to, and we aim to make the experience of planning a funeral as simple and stress-free as we can.
Additional costs – for anyone arranging a bespoke funeral, the cost is an important factor to consider. With so many ways to personalise a funeral, bespoke funerals have the potential to be far more expensive than simpler, straightforward funerals. Rest assured, our team can support you in choosing options that sit within your budget and will never pressure you to spend more than you can afford. It’s important to remember that there are many ways to personalise a funeral that come with zero extra cost.
How much do bespoke funerals cost?
Because bespoke funerals are tailored entirely to your wishes, there is no set price for the overall cost of the funeral. There are three main elements to consider when planning a bespoke funeral – our fixed professional services fee, the cost of a coffin and any chargeable extras (such as notices, the order of service, funeral cars and notices). You will also need to consider any third party costs, such as flowers, cremation/burial costs and venue fees.
Our fixed professional services fee of £2300* covers all arrangement and administrative duties for the funeral, and includes the following:
- Our professional services – £1,250* (included)
- Care of the deceased – £275* (included)
- Receiving your loved one into our care within a 15-mile radius – £295* (included)
- Hearse – £480* (included)
- Personal supervision of all the funeral arrangements before, during and after the funeral service
- Preparation, collection and distribution of all necessary documentation, including liaising with externals parties on your behalf (such as doctors, ministers, crematoriums, cemeteries etc)
- A funeral director and necessary personnel to carry out the funeral in accordance with your instructions
- A suitable vehicle, equipment and staff necessary to bring your loved one in to our care
- Preparing the deceased according to your instructions
- Laying the deceased to rest in their coffin
- Providing quality care for your loved one until the day of the funeral
- The use of our Chapel of Rest to visit your loved one
To get the most accurate understanding of costs, speak to a member of our team. We are always fully transparent with the different funeral costs, and can provide up-to-date pricing, advice and guidance should you need it.
*Accurate pricing at the time of publishing (October 2024). For the most up-to-date pricing and information, please contact a member of our team.
What other types of funeral does Dillamore offer?
In addition to bespoke funerals, we also provide direct funerals (our most affordable funeral) and limited service funerals (a simple service funeral). Both these funerals are packages and take a simpler, more prescribed format.
Direct funerals – a direct funeral is a funeral without a service and is our most affordable type of funeral. We take your loved one straight from our premises to the local cemetery or crematorium, and you only pay for the essentials, such as the coffin, the funeral director’s fees and burial/cremation costs. They are best suited to those who want to keep costs down or who don’t want a service. Visit our direct funerals page for more information.
Limited service funerals – a limited service funeral includes everything you need to give your loved one a dignified and uncomplicated funeral. This option includes a service but takes a more simplified and streamlined approach. It is perfect for families who want a funeral service without the fuss and provides a more affordable option for families wanting a lower cost alternative to a full service funeral. Read more about limited service funerals.
We have lots more information on our types of funeral pages, with information on costs and what to expect. Otherwise you can speak to a member of our team, who will be happy to talk you through the different funerals we offer. You can call us on 01525 372210, email us via our contact form, or book an appointment using our online booking tool. We are here to support you in your time of need.
