Planning a burial service at such a difficult time in your life can be daunting, and often demanding.

Whether you’re planning a funeral for your loved one, or attending a burial for the first time, Waters and Sons have answered some of the most important questions about what to expect when laying your loved one to rest.

Where is a burial service held?

A burial service can be held at a churchyard, cemetary or other allocated burial site, as long as you have gained permission to use the area as a burial plot. 

Your loved one will be taken to the place of burial once the funeral service has concluded and the burial service will resume from there.

What paperwork do I need for a burial? 

In order for a burial service to take place, you will need:

• A burial certificate. This is usually given directly to your funeral director, as they will need this to begin arranging the funeral
• Burial plot application form

Your funeral director will guide you through the relevant processes to gaining this paperwork, as well as ensure it is issued to the correct people.

How long does a burial last?

Depending on the type of service and the wishes of the deceased’s family, a burial service can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

If this doesn’t feel like enough time to honour your loved one, there is always the opportunity to continue paying tribute to their life at a wake or reception service after.

At Waters and Sons, we provide 24 hour personal support. Please feel free to contact us at any time to discover how we can honour your loved one at their burial service.

What happens during A BURIAL service?

Funeral Service

A hearse will collect your loved one from your chosen funeral directors and drive their coffin or casket to the place of service. Pallbearers will then carry the coffin into the place of service. Depending on your wishes, you can either follow the pallbearers, be seated prior to their entry or ask to assist in carrying your loved one into the funeral.

After the mourners are seated, the service will begin and loved ones will be able to pay their respects with eulogies, poems and music.

The order of a funeral service can change depending on whether you have chosen a religious or personal ceremony. 

Burial Service 

Once the funeral service has concluded, your loved one will be taken to their place of burial along with their family.

Pallbearers will carry their coffin to the grave where it will be lowered after a few short words from your minister or chosen speaker.

It’s commonplace to scatter earth or flowers over the coffin once it has been lowered into the ground, followed by the placing of tributes near the grave. This traditionally symbolises the end of the funeral, but you can request to take part in filling the grave if you wish.

Waters and Sons know that arranging a burial service can be distressing. That’s why we offer 24 hour personal support. Feel free to contact us at any time for further advice. 

Burial Plots

You will need to buy a burial plot for a burial service to occur. Your funeral director will talk you through any costs and other particulars involved in locating and buying a burial plot to lay your loved one to rest.

How to personalise a burial service

There are a number of things to consider when arranging a fitting burial service for your loved one, and the little touches are what make it a truly special tribute:

• Display a photo of them at their happiest to honour their life through a joyful lens
• Select a fitting musical tribute, floral display and coffin
• Read a beloved poem or excerpt from a text they loved in their eulogy
• Choose to collect donations for a charity of your loved one’s choice
• Celebrate their life in the order of service
• Choose a hearse that reflects their personality

Waters and Sons are here for you in your time of need. Feel free to contact us at any time to discuss funeral arrangements for your loved one.

What can you put in a coffin for a burial?

Popular items to put in a coffin for a burial include photographs, letters and soft toys, but provided the item fits in the coffin, you are free to bury your loved one with anything that was dear to them.

If you have any concerns about an item you wish to put in your loved one’s coffin, speak to your funeral director. We are here to guide you through the full process.

How much does a burial cost?

Waters and Sons offer 3 main funeral services:

• No Service Funeral: (£1495)
• Low Cost Funeral: (£2600)
• Bespoke Funeral where you will receive a fully tailored funeral service.

Waters and Sons know that funerals can put an unexpected financial burden on families at a time when they are least emotionally equipped to cope with it. We offer flexible ways to pay for your funeral through Golden Charter so there’s one less thing for you to worry about.

To find out how Waters and Sons can help you pay tribute to your loved one at their burial service, feel free to contact us at any time. We are here to remove the burden from your shoulders.