Andrew Smith Funeral Services

Average funeral costs in the UK have seen an increase of 126% since 2004, and this rise is projected to continue.*

By purchasing a Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plan, you can lock in the cost of the funeral director services included in your plan at today’s prices. Regardless of any future increases, once your plan is paid for** there’ll be no additional charges for your funeral director services – guaranteed.

Act now for one less thing to worry about. Request your free funeral plan brochure below:

https://www.andrewsmithfuneralservices.co.uk/

*SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024
**Or after 12 consecutive payments and as long as your payments remain up to date if you choose the instalment payment option.

Coping on special occasions without a loved one

Facing the New Year, a birthday, or any other special day without a loved one is hard. So many of our cherished memories are tied to the times we have spent together and, when a much loved family member or friend is no longer with us, the loss can feel even harder to bear on special occasions. While time doesn’t erase grief, the longer we have been learning to cope with our loss, the less intense feelings can be.

It’s important to remember that everyone grieves differently and there is no right or wrong way to cope with special occasions. Here are some suggestions that you may find useful:
• Give yourself permission to continue grieving
• Be with people that can support you
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Introduce new traditions
• Do something positive
• Don’t feel guilty

Remember, while these suggestions may offer some solace, the journey through grief is unique for each individual, so be patient and kind to yourself as you navigate through this challenging time.

Thank you to everyone who has created an online remembrance candle to help honour the memories of your loved ones this Father’s Day. Below, we have the final candles that were submitted.

Thank you so much to everyone who has submitted a remembrance candle so far. The opportunity to create a candle will come to an end today (Sunday 16 June).

Candles submitted before 5pm today will be shared on our page on Monday 17 June.

https://gbnf.online/309101

Things to consider when planning a wake

A wake is a social gathering held in memory of someone who has died. Historically, wakes were held before the funeral service. Friends and family sat with the body to pray and watch over it until the funeral service was held. Today, most wakes are held after the funeral.

If you’re organising a wake, you may want to consider the following:

• Guests – A wake can be public or invitation only. Usually, the people who came to the funeral service will also be invited to the wake – but they may not always attend.

• Venue – A wake can be held in any location where people can gather together. Holding the wake close to the funeral service makes it more convenient for mourners to attend.

• Catering – Some venues, particularly pubs and social clubs, will organise food and drinks for a wake. Buffet-style food (including sandwiches, pastries and cakes) are common at wakes.

Remember, the most important aspect of a wake is providing comfort and support to those who are grieving. Tailor the event to reflect the personality and preferences of the person being remembered, and allow space for both reflection and connection among guests.

Five ways to commemorate the anniversary of a death

It’s natural to think more about someone on important dates such as the anniversary of their death. There is no right or wrong way to mark a death. From visiting the deceased's graveside to posting a social media tribute, there are many ways to acknowledge the anniversary of a death. The most important thing is to remember in a way that brings comfort to you, your family and friends.

Here are five suggestions for how you might commemorate the anniversary of a loved one's death.
• Visit their resting place or a meaningful location
• Host a gathering with friends and family
• Support a charity in their name
• Light a candle in their memory
• Take time for yourself

However you decide to commemorate the anniversary of a death, it’s important to remember your own feelings. Grief can feel stronger around the time of an anniversary so give yourself the space to cope with your feelings. You might prefer to make no special plans to mark the anniversary, and choose instead to relax and remember how much they meant to you.

Here are some more memorial candles. If you’d like to submit a candle for a loved one, you can do so by clicking the link below.

https://gbnf.online/309101

Losing a loved one is a difficult experience that many of us have faced at some point in our lives. It’s normal to feel alone or wonder how to move forward.
We’d like to honour the lives of those who have left us.
Please feel free to share a memory of someone you loved who is no longer with us below.

Thank you to everyone who’s submitted a memorial candle so far. We’ve now started to create your personalised digital candle posts, and they’ll begin to appear on our page shortly.

If you don't see your candle, please don't worry, we’ll share it soon. If you’d like to submit a candle for a loved one, you can do so by clicking the link below.

https://gbnf.online/309101

1 in 5 people don’t know any of their loved one’s final wishes.*

With a Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plan, you can specify your funeral wishes ahead of time, which could help to avoid stressful decisions for your family when you’re gone.

Help protect your family from the worry and expense of your funeral. Request your free funeral plan brochure: https://www.andrewsmithfuneralservices.co.uk/

*SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024

Remember your loved ones this Father’s Day. From 3 until 17 June, we’ll be posting remembrance candles as a special token to those who can’t be with us this Father’s Day.

If you would like to create a virtual candle, please click the link below where you can choose a design and write a short message to a loved one.

Your candles will be posted to our page throughout the period.

https://gbnf.online/309101

Did you know that according to The Cremation Society, since the late 1960’s, more than half of the funerals conducted in the UK have involved cremation?

At Andrew Smith Funeral Services we‘re here to support you.

From a traditional funeral to a no-fuss direct cremation without a service, you can arrange a send-off that’s as unique as you are. From personal touches to unusual requests, we’ll take the time to understand your needs and be there with you every step of the way.

To learn about the Golden Charter funeral plans we offer, visit our website today or https://www.andrewsmithfuneralservices.co.uk/ submit an enquiry through our page.

We know how important it is to remember the special people in our lives who are no longer with us.

That’s why we’re pleased to offer you the opportunity to create virtual remembrance candles with our Light a Candle campaign for Father’s Day.

We’ll post the memorials on our page between 3 and 17 June for you to see and share. There is no cost for you or your family to get involved. Look out for updates...

Did you know that we offer Golden Charter funeral plans?

A funeral plan is an easy way to organise your funeral arrangements in advance and specify your wishes. You can now purchase a cremation plan online. To view the plan options we have, click on the link below.

https://goldencharter.co.uk/funeral-plans/309101-Andrew_Smith_Funeral_Services_Ltd

Wishing you a peaceful Eastertide.

How has digital technology integrated into the funeral profession?

Digital technology has changed almost every aspect of modern life. While funeral services are often defined by tradition more than innovation, technology has had a notable impact on funerals.

Here are five ways in which technology has become integrated into the funeral profession.

• Live video streaming of funerals
Live streaming technology offers a vital alternative for friends and family who are unable to attend in person.

• Online memorials
Online memorial websites allow families to create collections of photos and videos to remember their loved ones.

• Online giving
As funerals have become more personal, charitable donations to a loved one’s favourite causes have become a common way to honour their passing.

• Funeral music
As popular music often replaces traditional hymns at funeral services, digital music services like Spotify and Apple Music have become increasingly important.

• Social media
Newspapers are no longer the only way to announce deaths to friends and family. Social media, particularly Facebook, allows you to quickly share the news to everyone in your circle. It’s also an easy way to share the details of the funeral service.

Sincere thanks to the many people who have supported our Easter Egg Campaign this year. We will deliver your generous donations to the Rossendale Trust this afternoon for them to be distributed amongst their residents. Thank you.

Here are three benefits of a cremation funeral

Flexibility: Cremation offers more flexibility in terms of timing for the funeral service. Families can schedule the service at a time that is convenient for them, without the constraints of burial timelines.

Cost-effectiveness: Cremation funerals tend to be more cost-effective than traditional burials. They often involve fewer expenses related to burial plots, caskets, and cemetery fees.

Personalisation: Cremation allows for greater personalisation in memorialisation. Families have the flexibility to choose unique ways to honour their loved one, such as scattering ashes in meaningful locations or incorporating ashes into keepsake jewellery.

Looking for more information on cremation options? Give us a call to find out more.

What is a cremation?

A cremation funeral is a type of funeral ceremony where the deceased is cremated rather than buried. During a cremation funeral, the body is respectfully placed in a cremation casket or container and then taken to a crematorium.

A cremation can be a more affordable option compared to a traditional funeral as they often involve fewer expenses related to burial plots, caskets, and cemetery fees. In 2023, 53% of people chose a cremation funeral.*

Call us direct to find out more about the cremation options we offer.

*Source: SunLife Cost of Dying Report, 2024

Seven podcasts to help you cope with grief

The podcasting industry has been expanding for years, particularly since the pandemic. In a YouGov survey* at the start of the year, 13% of respondents said they would increase their consumption of podcasts in 2023.

There are podcasts on every topic imaginable, some of which were created to help listeners cope with grief. Often, people who are grieving can feel that no one understands what they’re going through. There are many podcasts featuring hosts and guests sharing their experiences of bereavement and loss.

These shows can provide helpful advice and be welcome reminders that we’re not alone. Here are seven podcasts to help you cope with grief.

• Good Mourning Grief Podcast – Hosted by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn
• The Grief Gang Podcast – Hosted by Amber Jeffrey
• On the Marie Curie Couch Podcast – Hosted by Marie Curie UK
• Grief Kind Podcast from Sue Ryder - Hosted by Su Ryder
• Griefcast - Hosted by Cariad Lloyd
• Grief Is My Superpower Podcast - Hosted by Mark Lemon
• A Good Cry Podcast - Hosted by Headgum

You can listen to these podcasts on various hosting sites such as Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Image: Sameimage
*Source: YouGovsurvey

With a Golden Charter funeral plan from Andrew Smith Funeral Services, you can pre-arrange the funeral you want and choose from a range of flexible ways to pay.

Just one phone call to us is all that’s required to activate your plan when the time comes.

Why not take the next step towards peace of mind and buy online today?

BUY NOW: https://www.goldencharter.co.uk/funeral-plans/309101-Andrew_Smith_Funeral_Services_Ltd

As part of Mother’s Day Light a Candle, we’ve shared virtual memorial candles to help honour the memories of your loved ones. Here are the remaining memorial candles that were submitted.
Thank you to everyone who created a memorial candle.

Thank you so much to everyone who has submitted a remembrance candle so far. Our candle initiative will come to an end today (Sunday 10 March).
Candles submitted before 5pm today will be shared on our page on Monday 11 March.

https://gbnf.online/309101

Did you know that in 2023 the cost of dying rose by 5%?*

When arranging a funeral, the level of simplicity or tradition will impact the overall cost. This includes decisions on the type of coffin, transport, and service details like date, time, and location. With this in mind, here are three key areas to consider:

Funeral director costs: These cover services like transportation, care for the deceased, coordinating arrangements, providing a coffin, hearse, and staff.

Third-party costs: Also known as disbursements, these include fees for doctors, burial or cremation, and payments to churches or celebrants.

Discretionary costs: Optional extras such as flowers, venue decoration, funeral notices, and catering for a wake.

Got a question? For more information, give us a call.

*Source: SunLife Cost of Dying Report, 2024

With a Golden Charter funeral plan from Andrew Smith Funeral Services, you can pre-arrange the funeral you want and choose from a range of flexible ways to pay.

Just one phone call to us is all that’s required to activate your plan when the time comes.

Why not take the next step towards peace of mind and buy online today?

BUY NOW: https://goldencharter.co.uk/funeral-plans/309101-Andrew_Smith_Funeral_Services_Ltd

We’d like to thank everyone who’s created a virtual candle for their loved one so far.
Here are some more memorial candles. If you’d like to submit a candle for a loved one, you can do so by clicking the link below.

https://gbnf.online/309101