Funeral planning and arranging requires information and knowledge.
Most people arranging a funeral are doing so for the first time and have little knowledge of the procedures and what is possible. People’s expectations are changing and, according to research by the Funeralcare Forum, many people feel a sense of disappointment after the funeral, that it could have better reflected the life and character of the person who has died. One of the main criticisms is that the funeral was impersonal and run-of-the-mill, rather than an inspiring, one-off event that could only have been about the person who had died and which lifted the spirits of the mourners.
The independent funeral adviser is there to improve the standard of funerals by increasing the participation and choices of the dying and bereaved and ensuring a ceremony takes place that is a final statement about the person and which reflects their spiritual beliefs. As Tony Walter, Professor of Sociology at Reading University and a leading authority on death and funeral, stated in his book 'Funerals: How To Improve Them':
“A funeral says that something significant has happened, that a human life, this human life, has ended; and it goes on to interpret this event in some way. When funerals today fail, it is because you would never guess that something significant is being marked.... their sheer mediocrity denies the significance of the life that has passed.”
The following quotes from The Office Of Fair Trading Report on the Funeral Industry 2001 point strongly to the need for independent funeral advisers.
“A funeral is a classic distress purchase – people don’t know what to expect, spend little time thinking about their purchase and feel under pressure to sort everything out quickly. Those involved have little experience of arranging a funeral and show a reluctance to shop around or seek out information.”
“Clear, reliable and accessible information is the key to helping people make the best choices.”
“What tends to be lacking is information on the practical aspects of arranging a funeral, such as choosing a funeral director, the range of options and what to do if you are unhappy with the service. There is also a need to ensure that the information produced is understandable, accessible and provided when needed.”
“People welcome human support and compassion at the time of bereavement. Recognising this need the National Funerals College recommends that a funeral adviser is appointed in institutions in which deaths occur, such as hospitals, hospices, nursing and residential homes. Their role would be to provide independent advice and practical help to those who need it.”
