Day of Funeral

There is no set procedure for a funeral but traditionally the funeral procession starts at the deceased house. The hearse and any limousines or mourners cars will follow the cortege to the place where the funeral service is being held.

Unless otherwise instructed by the family, our Funeral Director will ‘Page' the cortege when leaving the house and again just before reaching the place of service.

Sometimes the hearse goes straight from our funeral premises to the service and the family and mourners meet there.

Upon arriving at the place of service, the Funeral Director will ask if any family members or friends of the deceased wish to bear the coffin. The family usually then follow the coffin and then seated at the front.

If it's a burial, the coffin will be taken to the grave and lowered into the grave while a short service is held.

For cremation, the coffin will be taken into the Crematorium and placed on the catafalque where the Funeral Director and Bearers will bow their heads thus paying their own last respect to the deceased.

At the conclusion of the service, music will usually play and traditionally the coffin disappears from view, unless the family has requested that it remains on view until after they have left. At this point, the Funeral Director will lead the family and mourners from the service and show them where the flowers have been laid.

Before departing the Crematorium, the Funeral Director, if requested, will collect the floral cards and present them to the principle mourner. Alternatively, the floral cards can remain with the tributes. The Funeral Director will also ask the family if they wish to take any of the floral tributes home.

The majority of people return to the family home after the funeral. Once the mourners have been seen into the house, the Funeral Director will then take his or her leave, unless he or she has already done this at the place of committal.

If you have any special instructions for the day of the funeral please discuss these with us and we will be happy to accommodate your wishes.

The funeral is the final rite of passage being seen as the final stage in a period of transition following death and as a climax of days of preparation by the bereaved. The funeral serves to acknowledge formally the occurrence of the death with family and friends saying their final farewell to a loved one. In addition, it provides an opportunity for communal support for those left behind.

Whilst the majority of funerals take place in the context of a religious service, opportunities also exist for ceremonies to be conducted devoid of any religious character.

Whatever the requirements and in total impartial and professional manner, H L Hawes & Son, Funeral Directors are here to guide families through the service arrangements.