Good Funeral Guide CIC

We support, empower & represent the interests of dying and bereaved people living in the UK - find us over on @goodfuneralguide.bsky.social

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Direct cremation - we want to find out more about why people are choosing it and how bereaved people feel about it.

If you have experienced someone choosing a direct cremation, tell us about it by completing our questionnaire:

https://t.co/jdWkZfkNSx

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Thanks so much Lucy!

We also have a downloadable ‘Questions to ask a direct cremation provider’ document on our website which might be useful:

https://t.co/k3ZMpzHySh

[Lucy Easthope @LucyGoBag]

Before you sign up for Direct Cremation as something that makes life easier for your family please ask the provider some crucial questions. Where will you be taken when you die? How long will you be left? Are your family ok with no access to you? Where will the cremation be?…

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

We are delighted to announce that @Hunnaball_FFG have recently successfully completed our accreditation process and are now one of our Recommended funeral directors.

Read our review of this lovely, family run business here:

https://t.co/1PazVjtvjr

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

@LucyGoBag @wesstreeting @DHSCgovuk @MoJGovUK @NAFD_UK It’s beyond infuriating. We have been talking to the @MoJGovUK for years about regulation of the sector. We provided them with a complete draft code of practice written in the public interest copying in multiple ministers. And just received a polite brush off.

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

@LucyGoBag It’s incomprehensible to us that this keeps being delayed. We gave the MoJ a proposed Code of Practice and licensing system almost 18 months ago, both written in the public interest NOT the funeral directors’ interest. They’re ’keen to keep talking to us’ but so far, nothing.

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

On today’s blog, a fascinating guest post from @GlynisGerman1, a celebrant and end of life doula living and working in Mallorca.

https://t.co/FNgJ0hyP11

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Phase 2 report of the Fuller Inquiry has been published today, exposing the absence of protection given to people who have died.

One of the many recommendations is urgent regulation of the funeral sector.

Full report here. It will shock you.

https://t.co/xPWGm15IRu

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

One thing that most people don’t realise is that, as yet, there is no regulator involved with funeral directing.

This means that anybody can set up a funeral directing business. No matter what their background. Just pop ‘Richard Sage funeral director’ into your search engine!

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Not wanting a funeral.

This is the most common reason for people choosing a direct cremation, according to responses to our questionnaire.

45% say ‘The person specifically did not want a funeral ceremony’, with ‘not wanting a fuss’ second and ‘cost’ third.

So interesting!

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Direct cremation.

Many people have shared their thoughts with us, the majority explaining how they found this experience to be a difficult one.

If someone close to you chose a direct cremation we’d love to hear from you - find the questionnaire here:

https://t.co/jdWkZfkNSx

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Opting for a direct cremation from an online provider takes away the opportunity for your family and friends to be in the presence of your body for a ceremony of goodbye.

It’s not the gift you might think it to be.

Think carefully - is this really what you want?

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Congratulations! This is a huge achievement!

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

You don’t have to have flowers on a coffin.

At a funeral ceremony, the coffin is the focal point, the centre of everyone’s attention. So why not make it unforgettably about the person who has died by decorating it in a way that is all about them?

#funerals
#funeralsmatter

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Direct cremation.

(AI generated image because direct cremation = nobody there to take photos)

Just a reminder that we are gathering thoughts from people who have experienced someone choosing direct cremation - our questionnaire can be reached here:

https://t.co/jdWkZfkNSx

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

On today’s blog - some ideas about how to keep costs down when arranging a funeral.

https://t.co/CqmPP2yhO9

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

This is a funeral.

It is the funeral of the Amazing Guy, magician Thom Peterson, who died on March 8th 2023, aged just 58.

So much love and thanks to Thom’s wife Anna for giving us permission to share these photos of Thom’s amazing and totally befitting funeral
❤️🖤

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

@LucyGoBag Yes!!!! Every word of this!

Thank you @LucyGoBag for articulating!

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Thought for the day - another powerful insight from radical undertaker @wayswithweirds

We think the role of a good funeral director is to help people be with the reality of death, to accompany you as you step into the presence of the absence - the great mystery of death.

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Traditional’ funerals.

Our patron @zenithvirago has a take on this. And we agree.

All so called ‘progressive’ funeral directors are the traditional ones, offering gentle, person-led communal services, led by the needs of bereaved people.

Industrial funerals are not traditional

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Fully agree with @wayswithweirds from the @FuneralGreen about the importance of funerals.

#funeralsmatter

[Good Funeral Guide CIC @GreatFunerals]

Lowering a coffin.

If you want to, you can do this.

While this last act is often carried out by funeral staff, you have every right to lower the coffin of someone you love into their grave.

Most burial authorities will be supportive - a few may not be, but times are changing.