Read below our Legacy and individual giving Fundraiser Geoff Steele’s thoughts on today’s Dying Matters Theme ‘Funeral costs’.
The financial and emotional stress involved in planning a funeral can never be underestimated. Thinking and talking openly about the issues involved along with your personal preferences is essential in ensuring your wishes are met and some of the stresses of such a difficult time are alleviated.
With thanks to “Little and Caine” Funeral Directors- http://www.littleandcaine.co.uk/
– and the National Association of Funeral Directors we have launched this Blog to help debate, research and promote best practice.
In conversation with Paul Caine (Managing Director): Paul expressed the importance, in an ever changing society, of all involved in the funeral profession working together towards greater openness, transparency and freedom of choice.
The availability of a clear breakdown of costs and options available both on paper and the internet, is a critical part of this process. For example “Little and Caine” have all their costs available on their web site and basic starter costs are
Traditional Funeral – £1815
Classic Funeral – £1615
Trevelyan Chapel – £2272
Direct Cremation – £1271
Funerals-Frequently Asked Questions
It should be stressed that Funerals often involve extra costs such as flowers and transport and the above are just a guide for detailed debate with your Funeral Director.
For more advice on funeral plans and funeral insurance please click on the links below.
Little and Caine’s new Chapel is on Dalkeith Street Barrow enhances the type and flexibility of local services and is described on The Mails website
Advanced Care Planning
St Mary’s works with local health care and other professionals to support how we all listen to the end of life needs and preferences of local people.
St Mary’s does this through Advance Care Planning and Communication Skills Training Days. It was a joy recently to meet up with Melanie Williamson RGN the Home Manager, Cartmel Grange Care Home who is one of our local champions. Mel’s home has 15 nurses 80 Careers and 73 mainly local residents. In interview Mel had a lot of positive things to say about the value of those training e vents. She said “Our staff are more confident with the best practice and legal issues associated with Advanced Care Planning now they have been trained. It has been a really positive journey and has opened up the abilities of all our staff to work with our residents in this area. Listening to our residents to ensure their wishes are respected is of great importance to us. When we are able to make these conversations about issues such as Funeral planning and health care preferences more natural and relaxed it really helps everyone involved.”
We have also visited Abbey meadow Care home in Barrow where I met the manager Christine Stephenson.
http://www.risedale-carehomes.co.uk/index.php/abbey-meadow-a-st-lukes
Christine is another St Mary’s ACP Champion and a passionate supporter of good practice in end of life care.
Talking to Christine she highlighted the importance of Care Homes being part of the wider community. Her Home encourages visits from local Schools and Community groups. Christine greatly valued her partnership with St Mary’s Hospice in sharing best practice and empowering her residents. Photograph shows Christine far right with other members of her team on duty during our visit. Many thanks to Christine for sharing her experiences.
For more information about Advanced care Planning please visit these websites.
