funeral arrangements
Burial
A significant decision you need to make is whether your loved one is to be buried or cremated. If you choose a burial, you may need to purchase a new grave or re-open an existing one. An existing family grave normally accommodates 3-4 adult burials, depending on the cemetery. Where a new grave is required we will, for those cemeteries that offer a choice of location, arrange for the family to meet the cemetery’s representatives to select a new grave.
Cremation
Committal Service
Committal Service funerals have a prior Church Service / Mass before arriving at the crematorium. The Committal Service usually lasts for about 10 – 15 minutes and are normally conducted by a member of the clergy and follow a standard religious format, not dis-similar to what normally takes place at a cemetery burial. The option to play non-religious music is normally available at this type of service.
Full Service Funerals
Full Service Funerals do not have a prior Service/Mass at a church before they arrive at the crematorium. The main service takes place at the crematorium and may last a full hour and as a result normally can only take place in the afternoon.
Full religious Service and Cremation
Full religious Service is where a family bypass using a church and have a full length religious service according to their denomination.
Non-Religious Service
Non-Religious Service is a service designed by the family of the deceased and can be conducted by a Civil celebrant or a Humanist celebrant, or by a family representative. Strictly speaking, a Humanist Funeral does not have any religious element within the ceremony.
Hybrid Service
Hybrid Service is a combination of the above where the family may wish a short religious content coupled with their own designs of music, speeches, poems or words of remembrance. This can be defined as a Civil Funeral.
Non Service Funerals
Non Service Funerals are funerals that have no service at the crematorium. They in effect by-pass all chapels and are brought straight to the cremator building for cremation.
Extensive humanist and civil celebrants are available. These can facilitate, guide, and assist with the ceremony, as required.
Assistance in the selection of a final resting place for the ashes is outlined in our Post Funeral Section.
Preparation of the Deceased
Care of the body / Embalming
We believe that the care and presentation of the body is one of our most important functions as Funeral Directors. We have a fully qualified embalming team to achieve the highest possible standard of presentation available. Embalming combines the sanitation and preservation of the body. This is achieved by the injection of a treated solution into the circulatory system. This returns a more natural appearance and also prevents the spread of bacteria and advancement of deterioration. Prior to the ceremony the deceased can repose in the hospital/nursing home mortuary, our funeral home, or a family residence.
Funeral Vehicles
Our fleet of funeral vehicles consists of modern Mercedes hearses and limousines. Limousines accommodate a maximum of seven passengers. We collect the family/friends/mourners as arranged and bring them to the church or other ceremony location and afterwards to the cemetery or crematorium. We will return them after the ceremonies if required.
Mass Booklets / Service Sheets
We can arrange for you to liaise with printing companies who will specialise in the preparation of funeral mass booklets/ service sheets for distribution during the service. It can also be a fitting keepsake for family and friends to cherish.
The funeral booklet can include:
- The order of the service
- Hymns/Songs to be sung
- Readings/Psalms
- Pictures
- Eulogy details
Music Selection
Music during the funeral service
Music is an integral part of most funeral ceremonies and can vary greatly within the different traditions of the church. We will arrange the appropriate music, soloists, and musicians as preferred by the family to comply with normal church practice.
Music during the cremation service
When a service for cremation is to take place, whether it follows a traditional church service, or when it is the main service families may wish to bring a CD to the crematorium chapel to be played. We will liaise with the relevant crematorium to co-ordinate this if you wish. This music can be non-religious to reflect a favourite song or piece of music of the deceased. Soloists and musicians play music if required.
• How Great Thou Art
• Christ be beside me
• Make me a Channel of your Peace
• Abide with me
• Morning has broken
• Amazing Grace
• Holy God we praise thy name
• Sing a hymn to Mary
• Faith of Our Fathers
• When creation was begun
• Hail Queen of Heaven
• On Eagles Wings
• The Lord is my Shepherd
• Be not afraid
• Yahweh I know you are near
• The Lord will heal the broken heart
• Here I am Lord
• Like a shepherd
• Like the deer that yearns for running stream
• May your love be upon us
• Out of the depths
• Listen
• O the Word of my Lord
• I am the Bread of Life
• As I kneel before you
• Gifts of Bread and Wine
• Ag Chriost an Siol
• In bread we bring you Lord
• Lord accept the gifts we offer
• Take our bread we ask you
• Lay your hands gently upon us
• Ave Maria (Schubert)
• Ave Maria (Gounod)
• I will never forget you my people
• Queen of the May
• Be Still my Soul
• Panis Angelicus
• Laudate Dominum (Mozart)
• Pie Jesu (Lloyd Webber)
• Pie Jesu (Faura©)
• Jesu Joy of mana desiring
• Soul of my saviour
• Sweet Sacrament Divine
• The Clouds Veil (Liam Lawton)
• The Hiding Place (Liam Lawton)
• Sweet Heart of Jesus
• Jesus Remember Me
• Walk with God
• Going Home (Dvorak)
• I’m on a journey, I’m going home
• May songs of the angels welcome you
• Nearer my God to Thee
• Queen of the May
• There is a place (Liam Lawton)
This list is intended as a guideline only. Many other hymns for funerals are appropriate during a funeral mass/service. If you require further assistance please contact us or consult the Organist/Soloist.
Confirmation of Instructions and Funeral Costs
Once we have discussed the funeral arrangements with a family, we then provide a written schedule detailing the instructions received.
The schedule will also include an estimate of the various funeral costs, such as our charges and payments made to third parties, such as cemeteries, crematoria, newspapers and florists, on your behalf. We ask that these disbursements are paid to us at the time of arranging the funeral, while the final account balance is issued within two weeks. Payment is requested as soon as the family is in a position to settle the account; normally 30 days.
This cost is dictated by each individual family requirement and can vary from €1,750 to €7,275 and upwards.
• Coffin selected
• Removal of the deceased from the place of death to our Preparation Room
• Embalming of the deceased
• Removal of the deceased to the family residence or Funeral Home
• Transportation requirements for the public Removal to Church and the Funeral
• Funeral Directors professional fees for the co-ordination and arrangement of all aspects of the Funeral
The range of charges/fees is currently as follows:
• Grave Purchase; from €1,400 to €9,000 and upwards
• Grave opening; from €450 to €1,200 (some County Councils charge a “Registration” Fee of between €360 – €400 in addition to the opening fee)
• Cremation Fees; from €475
• Newspaper Announcements; from €230
• Flowers; from €59
• Organist’s fee; from €125
• Soloist’s fee; from €125
• Offering to Church; from €200 (at family discretion)
• Gratuities; from €100 (at family discretion)
• Thus, monies paid out by the Funeral Director at the time of the funeral could range from €1,950 to €7,000.
Combining the Funeral Directors’ charges and the payments to third parties the cost of a traditional funeral can range from €2,950 to €7,500. There is no V.A.T. added to the total funeral account.
Venues and Catering
Following the funeral service or ceremony, some families wish to provide light refreshments. Either at the family home or at a convenient venue. These gatherings give mourners the opportunity to offer their condolences to the next of kin. Also, to share fond memories of times past in more relaxed surroundings. Traditions vary throughout the country regarding these gatherings. Sometimes they can be described as part of the Irish wake. We can advise of suitable venues. If required liaise with the chosen venue on your behalf.
