Discover the Dolmens of Waterford
15/01/2025
What should I do first when planning a funeral?
1. Notify Relevant Authorities:
Immediate Contacts: Inform the next of kin, family doctor (GP), and if the death was sudden or unexpected, you may need to notify the Gardaí.
2. Register the Death:
Registration Requirement: The death must be registered within three months at a civil registration office. A medical certificate stating the cause of death, obtained from the attending doctor, is required for this process.
3. Arrange the Funeral:
Funeral Planning: Engage a funeral director to help with the funeral arrangements. We can assist you with all the information you need from anywhere in Ireland.
What should I do first when planning a funeral?
The first step in planning a funeral in Ireland is to contact a funeral director. We handle all the essential arrangements, such as transporting the deceased, organising the funeral service, and ensuring all legal requirements are met, including obtaining the death certificate.
In Ireland, arranging a funeral typically takes between 3 to 5 days. This timeframe allows for necessary preparations, such as registering the death, coordinating with a funeral director, and organising the funeral service. However, this can vary depending on specific circumstances, including whether family members need to travel or if the death requires a coroner’s inquest.
When planning a funeral, understanding the various service types is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of common options, with our services tailored to meet each need:
Traditional Burial: This includes a full service with a ceremony and burial. Our Simple Plan (€3,945) and Standard Plan (€4,595) offer comprehensive options, covering all necessary arrangements including a basic or standard coffin, documentation assistance, venue setup, and obituary placement.
Cremation: A respectful alternative to burial, cremation includes reducing the body to ashes. Our Cremation Plan (€5,845) provides a complete service with a coffin, urn, and personal ashes delivery, along with all standard funeral arrangements.
Humanist Funerals: These non-religious services focus on celebrating the life of the deceased. Our Humanist Plan (€4,795) includes a ceremony led by a celebrant and all the features of our Standard Plan.
Eco-Friendly Funerals: For those who prioritise sustainability, we offer the EcoCare Plan (€4,795), which includes an eco-friendly coffin and all standard services, minimising environmental impact.
Water Cremation: An innovative, eco-conscious alternative to traditional cremation. Our Water Cremation Plan (€6,495) offers a gentle process that includes all cremation services and personal ashes delivery.
Repatriation: If the deceased needs to be returned to their home country, our Repatriation Service handles all international coordination, legal clearance, and transportation, ensuring a seamless process.
Each plan is designed to provide peace of mind during a difficult time, ensuring that all legal, logistical, and personal aspects are professionally managed. For more information or to choose the right service, please contact us or visit our website.
Yes, you can personalise the funeral service. This can include selecting specific music, readings, or themes that reflect the deceased’s preferences or life. You can also choose the type of coffin, the venue, and any additional elements that make the service unique to your loved one. Our plans are designed to accommodate these customisations to ensure the service is both meaningful and respectful.
The costs associated with a funeral vary depending on the services and arrangements selected. Here’s a breakdown of our starting price funeral plans:
Simple Plan (€3,945):
Includes taxes, professional fees, a basic coffin, documentation assistance, venue arrangement, obituary placement, and Star Kids Care Packs.
Standard Plan (€4,595):
Offers all services in the Simple Plan with an upgrade to a standard coffin.
EcoCare Plan (€4,795):
Features an eco-friendly coffin along with all services from the Standard Plan.
Signature Plan (€5,495):
Provides our finest coffin collection along with all Standard Plan services.
Humanist Plan (€4,795):
Includes a humanist ceremony, celebrant, and all Standard Plan services with a standard coffin.
Cremation (€5,845):
Covers cremation service, a coffin, urn, personal ashes delivery, and all Standard Plan services.
Water Cremation (€6,495):
Features water cremation services, a coffin, urn, personal ashes delivery, and all Standard Plan services.
Repatriation (Price on Application):
Manages international coordination, customs and legal clearance, embassy liaison, air or sea coordination, and insurance handling.
Each plan is designed to provide a comprehensive, worry-free service, covering all essential aspects of funeral arrangements. For more detailed information or to select the plan that best fits your needs, please contact us directly.
After a death in Ireland, several legal documents are required to manage the deceased’s affairs. These documents ensure that the death is officially recorded, and that the estate is administered according to the law.
Death Certificate: This is the primary legal document that officially records the death. It is required for many subsequent legal and administrative tasks, such as closing bank accounts and settling estates. The death must be registered with the local Civil Registration Office, and the death certificate is issued after this registration.
Will: If the deceased left a will, it will need to be presented for probate. The will appoints an executor to manage the estate and outlines how the deceased’s assets should be distributed. If no will exists, the estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy.
Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration:
Grant of Probate: If the deceased left a will, the executor applies for a Grant of Probate, which gives them the legal authority to administer the estate.
Letters of Administration: If there is no will, or if the named executor cannot or will not act, a close relative can apply for Letters of Administration to manage the estate.
Death Notification Form: This form, completed by a doctor, confirms the cause of death and is required for registering the death and obtaining the death certificate.
Burial or Cremation Certificate: This certificate is issued after the death has been registered and is required before a burial or cremation can take place.
Revenue Forms: If the deceased had income, assets, or property, various forms may need to be filed with the Revenue Commissioners for tax purposes, including forms related to Capital Acquisitions Tax (inheritance tax).
These documents are essential for managing the legal and financial responsibilities following a death.
Whether you need a solicitor to handle the estate depends on the complexity of the estate and your comfort level with managing the legal and administrative tasks involved. However, even in simple cases, some people prefer to hire a solicitor for peace of mind and to ensure that all legal requirements are met. If you choose to manage the estate yourself, you can still consult a solicitor for specific advice as needed.
A solicitor’s role in estate planning includes drafting wills and trusts, providing tax planning advice, ensuring legal compliance, and setting up powers of attorney and guardianship. They help manage and update your estate plan, ensuring your wishes are carried out and minimising potential disputes
Handling the deceased’s bank accounts involves several steps:
Notify the Bank: Inform the bank of the death as soon as possible. You’ll need to provide a copy of the death certificate.
Freeze Accounts: The bank will usually freeze the deceased’s accounts to prevent any further transactions until the estate is settled.
Provide Documentation: If you are the executor or administrator, you’ll need to provide the bank with a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration to access the funds in the account.
Distribute Funds: Once the legal paperwork is in order, the bank will release the funds according to the terms of the will or the rules of intestacy.
Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person. It involves validating the will (if there is one), settling any debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful beneficiaries. Here’s how it works:
Application: The executor named in the will applies for a Grant of Probate. If there’s no will, a close relative can apply for Letters of Administration.
Validation: The probate court verifies the authenticity of the will and grants the executor the legal authority to manage the estate.
Administration: The executor collects the deceased’s assets, pays off any debts and taxes, and manages the estate’s distribution according to the will or intestacy laws.
Distribution: Once all obligations are fulfilled, the executor distributes the remaining assets to the beneficiaries as outlined in the will or by law.
This crucial tool helps ensure that your final arrangements reflect your personal choices, providing peace of mind and easing the emotional burden for your loved ones.
