Help & Guidance
When someone you love is approaching the end of their life, it can be difficult to know what you should be doing, who you need to contact or what happens when the time comes.
You don't need to have everything planned, and there's no need to make any decisions before you're ready. We're here to answer your questions and help you understand what to expect.
We're here 24 hours a day, with no additional out-of-hours fees.
A Little Advice From Us
If you have a little time to think about funeral arrangements beforehand, we'd genuinely encourage you to ring around and speak to a few funeral directors. Ask questions, find out what they offer and, of course, compare their prices.
But please don't make your decision on cost alone. You'll be trusting someone to look after a person you love, and you'll be dealing with them at a particularly difficult time. It's important that you feel comfortable with the people you choose.
Take notice of how you're spoken to, whether someone takes the time to listen and whether you feel able to ask questions. You should never feel rushed or pressured into making a decision.
We'd naturally love you to choose Memories, but more importantly, we want you to feel you've made the right choice for your family.
Here When You Need Us
We often hear from families whose loved one is receiving end-of-life care, whether that's at home, in a care home, hospital or hospice.
Sometimes they want to talk about possible funeral arrangements. Other times, they simply want to know who to telephone when their loved one dies and what will happen afterwards.
Whatever your questions, you're welcome to give us a call. Speaking to us beforehand doesn't mean you're committing to arranging a funeral with Memories, and we won't expect you to make any decisions there and then.
We understand that someone may die at any time of the day or night. You shouldn't have to worry about extra charges simply because of the time they die.
At Memories, we never charge an additional out-of-hours fee for bringing someone into our care.
This applies to all our funeral services, including Direct Cremation. Whether we're called at 2pm or 2am, our approach and our charges remain the same.
Our telephone is answered 24 hours a day by Simon, Helen or a member of our team, never a call centre.
A Simple Explanation
If your loved one's death is expected, the arrangements are usually straightforward. There are just a few practical steps, and you don't need to manage them on your own.
When someone dies, an appropriate healthcare professional will need to verify the death. Depending on where they are being cared for, this may be a nurse, doctor or another suitably trained professional.
The staff or healthcare team will explain what needs to happen and make the necessary arrangements.
Once the death has been verified, you or the care team can telephone Memories on 0161 302 9753.
If you've already given a care home our details, their staff can contact us directly, so you don't need to make that call yourself unless you want to.
When your loved one is ready to leave and any necessary permissions or procedures have been completed, we'll arrange to bring them into our care.
We'll explain what happens next and talk through funeral arrangements when you feel ready.
Nursing & Residential Care Homes
If your loved one is receiving end-of-life care in a nursing or residential home, you can simply let the staff know that you'd like Memories Funeral Service to look after them when the time comes.
Give them our telephone number and they'll be able to contact us directly once the death has been verified and your loved one is ready to leave.
We'll then liaise with the care home to arrange collection at an appropriate time. You don't have to worry about coordinating everything yourself.
You can also telephone us beforehand if you'd find it reassuring to introduce yourself or ask a few questions.
Depending on Where They Are
The exact arrangements can vary depending on where someone is being cared for. We're happy to explain what applies to your circumstances.
If someone is receiving expected end-of-life care at home, their GP, district nursing team or palliative care team will normally have explained who to contact when the death occurs.
Follow the instructions provided by their care team so the death can be verified.
Afterwards, you can call us directly and we'll arrange to bring your loved one into our care when you're ready and it's appropriate to do so.
The staff will usually arrange for the death to be verified by an appropriate healthcare professional.
You can give the care home our details in advance and ask them to telephone us when the time comes.
We'll liaise directly with the staff about bringing your loved one into our care.
Hospitals and hospices have their own procedures following a death.
Your loved one may remain in their care while the medical paperwork and other necessary arrangements are completed.
You can still choose Memories as your funeral director and let the hospital or hospice know your wishes. We'll liaise with them about collection.
At Your Own Pace
Some families would prefer us to come as soon as their loved one is ready to leave. Others would like to sit with them for a little while longer.
Both are absolutely fine. You don't have to feel rushed simply because the death has been verified.
If you'd like more time, let the care team know. They'll be able to advise what is possible and appropriate in that particular setting. When you're ready, we're only a telephone call away.
"We'll come when the time is right, not before you're ready."
Common Questions
It's perfectly normal to have questions about what happens next.
No, not at all. Some families find it helpful to talk through their options beforehand, while others would rather wait.
You can telephone us for advice without making any arrangements or committing to a particular funeral.
Yes. Simply tell the care home you'd like Memories Funeral Service to look after your loved one, and give them our number: 0161 302 9753 .
The staff can then telephone us directly when the time comes.
We're available 24 hours a day, so you or the care team can telephone us whenever we're needed.
We don't charge an additional out-of-hours fee, even if someone dies or needs collecting during the night, at a weekend or on a bank holiday.
Yes. Where the circumstances and care setting allow, you can spend time together before your loved one is brought into our care.
You can discuss this with the care team, who can advise on any practical considerations. We'll work around what is appropriate rather than rushing you.
Usually not. Once the death has been verified and the necessary permissions are in place, we can generally bring someone into our care before the death has been registered.
Death registration and the medical certification process are separate matters. We'll explain the relevant arrangements and let you know what needs to happen next.
No. Our policy of not charging additional out-of-hours fees applies to Direct Cremation as well as our other funeral services.
There's no extra collection fee simply because someone dies outside normal working hours.
That's completely fine. You don't need to know what sort of funeral you want when you first contact us.
We can bring your loved one into our care and discuss the different funeral options with you when you're ready, subject to agreeing the arrangements for our services.
Whether you simply want to ask a question, let us know about someone receiving end-of-life care or need us to bring your loved one into our care, you're always welcome to telephone.
You'll speak to Simon, Helen or a member of our small team, never a call centre.
Call Memories – 0161 302 9753 Read More: What to Do When Someone Dies