Unattended funerals in Somerset and Devon - our simplified yet dignified farewell

Many crematoria’s will allow one or two family members to be present but this will need to be arranged prior to the cremation to accommodate this. There may be an additional fee for this. If you are worried about the process, then talk to Amanda-Louise who will answer all your questions honestly.

Yes they are. The chamber only allows for one body at a time, which allows to check the right person is being cremated at the right time, plus the law states this.

No. During a cremation the coffin is always burned. At a burial, the coffin is lowered into the ground. Out of respect for the deceased and family a coffin would never be reused under any circumstances.

This term is also known as remembrance or memorial jewellery and is jewellery that has incorporated a small amount of the cremated ashes. Popular items such as rings, bracelets and necklaces but there are a variety of other items such as coloured glass ornaments too.

Yes, the deceased is always cremated in the coffin or a shroud (if desired). All UK crematories have to follow a very strict code of practice. Once the funeral director has sealed the coffin, no one opens it again.  Sometimes you may see a coffin flag or drape over a coffin, and as these can be recycled they are often removed prior to the cremation at the request of the family.

A direct cremation is a cremation with no service or mourners in attendance. Here at Amanda-Louise Funeral Services our ethical approach means we prefer to use local crematoria’s, we still drive to the chapel in a funeral suitable vehicle and take the coffin into the chapel with full honours. As a direct funeral is seen as a no frills no fuss approach, then the deceased is placed into their coffin in clothing they have arrived in and there’s no facility for viewing. The family do not choose the date/time and location of the cremation. Availability at crematoriums is limited for this type of funeral, so the time afforded to us is only 15 minutes maximum. Its usual practice not to inform the family of the details, as we need to obey rules of direct funeral of no attendees.  If this is not the option that’s right for you, then we offer a full and flexible funeral service.

Typically, cremations are less expensive than a burial, but there isn’t much in it these days.

For burials, the cost will depend on whether it’s a new plot needed to be purchased, or an existing one that needs to have a stone removed in preparation, plus there is the burial cost on top.  Having said that, cremation prices do vary with each crematoria provider, whether you want a funeral ceremony and for how long. Please do talk to us about your individual requirements as we always supply a quotation.

Yes, the UK law states that a body must be covered up when in public. As coffins are a legal requirement for cremations, a shroud can be used.  There are of course a variety of materials for coffins these days, from wood, to wood products, to wicker and cardboard too.

‍

That’s up to you. You can be cremated with or without clothing. The majority of direct cremations, the deceased is cremated in whatever clothing they are wearing when they died, however for more traditional support the funeral director can help the family redress the person who has died into something chosen by the family.

This will vary. Prosthetics will depend, for example pacemakers and internal defibrillators will need to be removed before cremation, as they will explode.  Many implants such as silicone breast implants will likely remain with the deceased and will form part of the cremated ashes. Whereas metal implants do not burn, and these are separated after the body has been burned.

No that’s not their role. We can help you find someone that is suitable for you, unless you have someone else in mind.

The choices are limitless. Many halls, sports clubs, hotels, galleries, zoos, castles, outdoor areas can be suitable to host a funeral ceremony. You can have the coffin present if you wish. Best advice is to book somewhere that is enthusiastic to your needs.

Amanda-Louise Funeral Director Services is owned by Amanda-Louise Knight who lives in Somerset between Taunton and Minehead with her family. She created the funeral home to serve the community and surrounding areas across Somerset and Devon.

Amanda-Louise,along with the team offer a modern approach to funerals while respecting the traditions of the past.

There is no longer a need for funeral services to be standardised, like those that have dominated people’s perceptions for the last century.

Amanda-Louise Funerals offer families choices which will enable them to create a personalised and tailored service reflective of the person who has died, whether that’s a service which is positive for the environment, a lively celebration of life, an intimate occasion or a more formal, traditional approach.

As modern funeral directors, everything we do helps people feel connected after a bereavement.

We listen to our families and they can be as involved as little or as much as they wish -we can even help families who wish for their loved one to remain at home right up until the day of their funeral too.

At the same time we’d like to provide as much clarity and transparency as we can in terms of our pricing, ahead of arranging a meeting to talk through your needs in detail – we can help with traditional, modern or alternative funerals and everything in between.

Our pricing for funerals is fully transparent and flexible – you only pay for those elements that you require. Some fees are essential, others are optional, so the total cost will depend on the choices you make.

We believe that planning a funeral isnt something that you 'get through' or you have to do things in a certain way - we recognise some of our clients will have different and personalised support from us. Some people would like to be given clear guidance and direction (so we put together free guides of useful advice).

When it came to pricing, some of our families like to opt for our packages and some packages) whereas others would prefer to be informed about their options and then feel empowered to make the choices that are right for them (see our bespoke choice).