FAQs
Here are some of the questions I’m asked that are not addressed elsewhere on this site.
Aftercare
Yes, certainly. I would be glad to discover how you’re getting on ofter the events we organise are over.
Some people, however, need to have more in-depth support or counselling to help them recover from their loss. I can offer on-going support and can also link you with specialist counsellors should that be best for you.
Should we bring our children?
There is no right or wrong response here as every family and every child is different. But here are some factors to bear in mind.
- Very young children (under 3) are unlikely to grasp the importance of what is happening. Do be assured that babies crying during a service don’t worry me at all, however their natural interruptions can create additional stress for other people at the funeral who may not be used to it!
- Children who are able to understand will often cope best when they are given the choice of whether to attend, and to respect their decision. It sometimes helps to have an adult who is less affected by the death nearby in case the child feels overwhelmed.
- Older children usually cope best when they’ve had simple and honest information about the one who has died. We all take heavy information like bereavement at our own level (including children) so helping them to understand will reduce the burden they will carry. When they become adults they may not remember the details of the funeral but may well remember the atmosphere we created.
Do you charge a fee?
Yes (of course). For the funeral and the work surrounding it my charge is in line with the fees of the Church of England.
If, however, I do additional work for you, such as research, graphic design, printing or long distance travel, these will be charged in addition. We will always discuss these in advance so there won’t be any surprises.
The fees are usually handled via the undertaker who includes them in his or her package. This means they can be paid as part of the funeral costs before probate is granted and you will not normally receive a separate invoice.
My ethics and beliefs
Click here to discover my personal ethics and faith framework.
I still have a question!
Then please contact me here.