List of Undertakers

We eventually hope to comprise a comprehensive list of Undertakers over the coming months, but for now, as with any service, recommendation is often far more preferable than picking an unknown company out of the phone book (or off a website for that matter). Friends, family, clergy or your doctor may therefore be a more appropriate port of call, to recommend reputable companies. We say companies (plural), as within our consumer society, the advice of 'shopping around' may seem a difficult one to apply to funerals, but should still be considered as prices for similar services can vary considerably.

Relatives or friends are probably the most appropriate people to ask to help by ringing around several funeral directors to compare prices and services. The Natural Death Centre, (the educational charity which campaigns on behalf of the public for greater openness in the funeral industry), believe that a good funeral director should be a 'facilitator' - someone who helps the family organise as much of the funeral arrangements as they want to. Increasingly, family members want to be more involved in the arrangements and help in the final rituals.

When choosing a funeral director:

* ask for a detailed description of costs and a price list when getting a quote
* when asking for a telephone quote make sure that it is put in writing as well
* try and get quotes from more than one company
* check whether the funeral director is professionally qualified and holds the diploma in funeral    directing (Dip.Ed.)

If you have any doubts, find out if he/she is a member of any of the trade associations and ask if they subscribe to the Funeral Ombudsman Scheme (see below) .

The two main trade associations are:

National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
618 Warwick Road
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 1AA
Tel: 0121 711 1343
Email: info@nafd.org.uk
Website: www.nafd.org.uk
Established in 1905, formerly the British Undertakes Association, this was the principal trade association in the funeral profession until the mid 1980's. Its members' Code of Practise is available free.

The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
SAIF Business Centre
3 Bullfields
Sawbridgeworth
Hertfordshire
CM21 9DB
Tel: 01279 726777
Email: info@saif.org.uk
Website: www.saif.org.uk
Established in 1989 with a membership covering over 900 funeral homes, SAIF is the co-ordinating body for smaller, independent, often family firms. SAIF operates a legal helpline for clients - 08705 234500.