When a family loses a loved one, it is undoubtedly one of the most emotional and difficult times in their lives. For many of them, this loss maybe the first in their family and they have never had to deal with planning a funeral and have no idea where to even start.
Those familes usually seek the assistance of a funeral director to help them navigate through this daunting task. Someone who they should be able to trust, give them honest and sound advice and guidance, someone who will respect and care for their loved one and be completely transparent in all aspects when planning the funeral service.
Unfortunately, the funeral industry is unregulated which basically means that anyone who wants to open a funeral business can do so with little more than a business name, a mobile phone and a briefcase. We call these funeral “agents.” Why? Because their narrative is “that we will come to you” and make the arrangements in the comfort of your own home. The primary reason for this is because they have no business premises, no mortuary premises, no vehicles etc. After they see you, they begin making phone calls to outsource all aspects of the funeral service. They use a contract mortuary, controlled by a third party and where often there can be up to 20 funeral companies working out of the one facility. Your loved one is never “in their care” and in fact it is extremely likely that they will never see your loved one. They hire a hearse for the service which goes to the contract mortuary to pick up the coffin in which your loved one has been placed, and then they meet the hearse at the service in their personal vehicle. The family is of the belief that this agent has personally dealt with everything.
A traditional funeral director takes care of everything themselves and “in house.” They have their own business premises and you have the option of coming to make arrangements there, or they can also visit you at home, if you prefer. Often, with family owned companies, you will deal with the same person from the first call, through the arrangement process and then through until the day of the funeral, and finally, the after funeral care. A familiar face, every step of the way.
Most importantly, traditional funeral directors have their own mortuary facilities where your loved one will be respectfully cared for by your chosen funeral director and their qualified mortuary staff until the day of the service. These facilities are not shared and they are owned and operated by the company that you have chosen. Absolute peace of mind for your family that they are being cared for in the best and most respectful manner.
Before choosing a funeral company, these are some questions that you should consider asking:
1. Do you have an office where arrangements can be made?
2. Where will my loved one be taken and cared for until the funeral, and who will care for them? Do you have your own mortuary facility, or do you engage a third party mortuary provider?
3. Does the company belong to an association, such as the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)? Those that do are bound by a strict code of conduct and ethics, ensuring that you receive the highest quality of service and that your loved one is cared for in the most proper and respectful manner.
4. How long have you been operating, and how much experience in the industry do you have?
Always remember that after a funeral arrangement is complete, your chosen funeral company should supply you with a clear, transparent and itemised estimate of the total cost of the service, (incl GST) based on the essential and choice items that you have made, regardless of whether they are a funeral agent or a traditional funeral director. Despite the fact that many funeral agents will claim that they offer better pricing for funeral services, the reality is that their outsourcing of services have high costs associated with it. A traditional funeral company will be just as competitive with their prices but your family will receive personalised care from an experienced funeral director and your loved one will be cared for in a dignified and proper manner. To us here at Nepean Valley Funerals, our role is not a job, it is a vocation that we are proud to undertake everyday to ensure that our families are given the highest standard of care, through the most difficult time of their lives. Although we are based in Penrith, our services are available to families in all suburbs of Sydney.