Big enough to cope, small enough to care.

When it comes to funeral services though, should you opt for a recognised, national funeral care provider, or pick a smaller, local provider?

In this article, we look at the important differences between national and local funeral care providers, and help you answer the question “who should I consider for cremations near me?”

You don’t have to buy local, to get local

An often overlooked element for comparing funeral care providers, is what it actually means to be ‘local’. Depending on the type of funeral you’re looking at arranging, it may not hold any real importance as to whether the provider is local, or not. On the other hand, it might be the case that being local is more important than you’d first considered.

When arranging a funeral at the time of need, the importance of having a local funeral director may seem obvious. You’ve likely driven or walked past the premises of the funeral director many times over the years, and the presence of the funeral director in the community can go a long way in offering comfort for families experiencing grief. But does it impact the quality of the service you receive, and are there any disadvantages to ‘going local’?

If you’re arranging a funeral for a loved one who lived locally, and you’re expecting a good turnout from friends and family at the funeral service, then there is most definitely value in having services from your local funeral director. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t arrange a local service using that same funeral director, whilst also saving a few pounds.

Many national providers, like The Funeral Market, work with a network of funeral directors across the UK, and can often provide a similar funeral service with your local funeral director at an attractive price. You can find out whether a nationwide provider works with your local funeral director by calling them – they’ll be able to tell you both your local funeral care team, as well as the closest crematorium they have agreements with.

Going further afield doesn’t mean your care will be compromised

A common misconception in the funeral industry is that having a funeral director miles away from the place of death, will mean that the care you or your loved one will receive will be somehow compromised. This isn’t the case – national providers like Funerals With Grace and The Funeral Market carefully audit all of their partners to ensure that the same level of service will be delivered wherever in the country you happen to be.

Some believe that with unattended cremations, having a body transported over a longer distance can be detrimental to the recently passed. Again, with the highest quality providers on board, every person taken into the care of a funeral director receives the same care and compassion, and you or your loved one will not experience a poorer service if they are transported further away for a service or cremation.

For direct cremations, using a national provider can save you money

Nearly 1 in 5 cremations now take place unattended, with the deceased being transported directly to a crematorium. This unattended alternative to a traditional cremation, where a full service and committal takes place, has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Not only does it gives the deceased the option to have a send-off in their own style, without any fuss or fanfare, but it also frees up a significant amount of money that would otherwise be spent on arranging a traditional cremation. Traditional cremations with a service can set a family back £3,000-£4,000, whereas a direct cremation can see a cremation take place behind closed doors for around £1,000.

The price savings are made possible by limiting some of the flexibility for times and dates that the cremation itself will take place, as well as having the body cremated at a crematorium chosen by the funeral director or funeral plan provider. Though this sounds cold, many families opt for a cheaper, low-fuss cremation in line with their loved one’s wishes, and with no attendance possible, there is an understanding that the cremation does not need to take place locally.

Why not compare our direct cremation against some of our competitors?

How funeral plan providers balance local versus national services

Funeral plans give consumers peace of mind that the financial and administrative elements of their funeral are in place, well before the time of need. The average funeral plan is in place for nine years before reaching maturity, and in this period of time, a lot can change.

Some plan holders have absolute clarity from the moment they set up their plan – they want their funeral to take place in a specific church, crematorium or chapel, and they’d like to be buried, or have their ashes scattered, in a special place. It’s important for these plan holders that their specific location requirements are met, before they get set up and pay for their plan.

However, the standard approach for services like direct cremations is to not have a specific location locked down by the plan holder at the time of purchase. This is because home moves, changes to supplier and changes of heart can all take place in the period between taking a plan out, and using it to fund a funeral.

Most funeral plan providers will instead offer a flexible plan that will only be allocated to a funeral director at the time of need, ensuring it’s as local as possible for the location that the deceased is resting, and where their family live. In some cases, funeral plans are not the right approach for consumers who want a very specific crematorium or funeral director that may not have agreements in place with the national provider. Making arrangements at the time of need, with the local provider, can offer comfort that the local option will be available.

The importance of working with a local funeral director

The importance of working with a local funeral director of funeral plan provider comes down to your own personal preferences, though with direct cremations, it really does save money to go with a national provider. Their favourable agreements with crematoriums, and the lack of physical attendance at a direct cremation, make it a great option for many.

Speak to us to find out more about our range of funeral plans, or to arrange a funeral for someone who has recently passed. Funerals with Grace, without compromise.