Getting startedWhat should I do when someone dies?
If the death was expected and happened at home, call the GP or the nurse in charge of their care. If it was unexpected, call 999. Once a doctor or the authorities have confirmed the death, call us on 01535 690 979 at any time, day or night. We will bring your loved one into our care and talk you through what happens next. There is no need to decide anything straight away.
Getting startedAre you available 24 hours a day?
Yes. We are a family-run funeral director and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us on 01535 690 979 whenever you need us.
Getting startedWhich areas do you cover?
We look after families in Keighley, Oakworth, Haworth, Bingley, Silsden, Riddlesden, Skipton, Bradford, Sutton-in-Craven, Cross Hills and Steeton. If you are somewhere else, please call us and we will talk it through with you.
Getting startedWho should I tell about the death?
When someone dies, you must contact certain organisations to inform them as soon as possible. You need to:
- tell the tax office
- return the deceased person’s driving licence to the DVLA
- return their passport to the UK Passport Agency
- send any Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney they had back to the Office of the Public Guardian, along with a death certificate, if you were their attorney
- contact the DWP’s Tell Us Once service, which allows you to report a death to several
government departments with just one phone call.
You may need to contact other organisations as well, such as:
- pension scheme provider
- insurance company
- bank and building society
- employer
- mortgage provider, housing association or council housing office
- social services
- utility companies
- GP, dentist, optician and anyone else providing medical care
- any charities, organisations or magazine subscriptions the deceased person made regular payments to.
You could also register the name and address of the deceased person with the Bereavement Register, which tries to put a stop to post being sent to people who have died.
Getting startedCan we visit the deceased and pay our last respects?
Yes, we have a private chapel of rest in which the deceased will rest prior to the funeral. If you wish to visit them, we will arrange a mutually convenient appointment for you.
Getting startedCan the deceased be brought home?
Yes, we can bring the deceased home, usually the day before the funeral.
Getting startedHow do I register a death?
In England and Wales a death should usually be registered within five days, at the register office for the area where it happened. The doctor will give you the medical certificate you need. Once the death is registered, you will receive the documents needed to arrange the funeral, and we can talk you through it all. Call us on 01535 690 979 at any time.
Getting startedCan you arrange a funeral away from the Keighley area?
Yes. We cover families within 15 miles of Keighley, including Bradford, Skipton, Ilkley and the surrounding towns and villages. Beyond 15 miles an additional £2.60 per mile applies, and we have completed funerals all over the country, so please ask our team.
Getting startedWhere can we meet to arrange the funeral?
We can talk at our premises or in your own home, at a time that is convenient for you. If you would prefer, we can also help over the phone or by email.
The funeral serviceDo I have to have a religious ceremony?
Funerals do generally follow traditional religious practices ie. Catholic, Church of England, Methodist , Baptist, however, there is also the option of a secular service which would include poetry, music and an appreciation of the deceased’s life, and we are able to arrange a secular officiant for you.
The funeral serviceDo I have to have a funeral service within a church?
No, a funeral service may take place within our chapel at Airedale House, within the chapel of a crematorium or within your own home. It is also not unusual, in the case of a burial, for a service to be carried out by an officiant at the graveside.
The funeral serviceCan my loved one be dressed in their own clothes?
Yes they can, alternatively we can dress the deceased in one of our gowns.
The funeral serviceAm I able to place personal items into the coffin?
Yes, you can put personal items in the coffin, however we cannot allow any metal and glass items.
The funeral serviceHow many people can be seated in the limousine?
Our limousines seat 7 people, 6 in the rear and 1 in the front of the vehicle.
The funeral serviceCan family members carry the coffin?
Yes, family members can carry the coffin as long it is safe to do so on the day. We will talk through this option with you if this is something you would like to consider and full guidance will be given on the day of the funeral.
The funeral serviceCan we choose the music to be played at the Crematorium?
Yes, the crematoriums have an excellent music system offered by Obitus. They can also arrange visual tributes and webcasting. A recording of the service may also be available on a DVD, USB or downloadable video.
The funeral serviceInstead of flowers can we request mourners to make a donation to a charity in memory of our loved-one?
Yes, we work with Love2donate who offer you the opportunity of making donations in memory of your loved one online through our website.
The funeral serviceHow will I know who attended the funeral?
We are able to arrange printed attendance cards for mourners to leave their name and messages on. They will be returned to you following the funeral.
The funeral serviceDo you arrange burials as well as cremations?
Yes, we arrange both. A service can take place in our chapel at Airedale House, in a church, in the chapel of a crematorium, at the graveside or in your own home.
The funeral serviceCan I choose my own coffin?
Yes. Our coffin showroom includes traditional and natural coffins, ashes caskets and personal designs, with prices shown for each. Our coffins start from £585.
Cremation and ashesAt the crematorium will we see the coffin moving after the service?
No, the coffin is not moved until all relatives and friends have left the chapel.
Cremation and ashesAt the crematorium is more than one coffin cremated at the same time?
No, each coffin is cremated separately. The cremation chamber only holds one coffin at a time.
Cremation and ashesAre the cremated remains I receive afterwards the remains of my loved-one only?
Yes, once the cremation has taken place, the cremated remains are removed and placed in a container which is clearly named.
Cremation and ashesHow soon can I collect the cremated remains after the funeral?
We will collect the cremated remains for you from the crematorium and will become available the day following the funeral service. We will advise you once they are being held safely by us and ask that you contact us to collect them at a time when you feel ready to do so.
Cremation and ashesWhat can I do with the cremated remains?
- They can be scattered in a special place of your own choice.
- They can be buried in a grave, allowing there to be a headstone.
- They may be scattered in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium.
- They may be kept at home in a special urn or memorial.
There are also other options which we would be happy to discuss with you.
Costs and payingHow much will the funeral cost?
Many factors determine the cost of a funeral ie. the style of funeral, choice of coffin, number of limousines etc. We will advise you of all our options and packages. We will provide you with an itemised estimate of our charges and the disbursements that we will pay on your behalf. We want you to feel that you are in control of the amount that you will outlay for the cost of the funeral and arrange a fitting tribute that is within your financial reach.
Costs and payingHow do I pay?
Following the funeral arrangements being discussed, a full estimate will be provided and confirmation of the arrangements will be made on the receipt of the cost of the disbursements (ie. clergy, cemetery/crematorium fee, floral tributes, press notices) 48 hours prior to the date of committal. If you choose to pay both our charges and disbursements prior to that time, you may deduct £50.00 from the final balance, if not, the final account will be forwarded to you one week following the funeral date and full payment is requested within 21 days of the date of the invoice.
Full payment of the charges on some packages will be requested 48 hours prior to the date of the committal and we will advise you of this. Our preferred method of payment is by BACS (bank transfer)
Costs and payingWhat if I cannot pay?
If you are having trouble paying for a funeral that you have to arrange, you may be able to get a Social Fund Funeral Payment to help you with the cost, however it is not a set figure as each case is looked at individually. You must advise us should you decide to apply to the Social Fund, as this will allow us to ensure that the cost of your chosen funeral arrangements will be within your financial reach.
Costs and payingWill I be given a price before anything is agreed?
Yes. You will always receive an estimate before anything is agreed. Our prices are clear and itemised.
Costs and payingWhat is the difference between your charges and disbursements?
Our charges are for our own services. Disbursements are third-party costs we pay on your behalf, such as clergy, cemetery or crematorium fees, floral tributes and press notices. A full estimate covers both. If you pay both before the funeral you may deduct £50.00 from the final balance.
Direct cremationWhat is a direct cremation?
Direct cremation is our lowest-cost option. The coffin is taken directly to the crematorium with no funeral service or ceremony taking place. It cuts out many of the extra costs of a traditional funeral, such as a chapel service, extra transport and a celebrant, and is carried out with simplicity and respect, with the same care and compassion as every funeral we conduct.
Direct cremationHow much does a direct cremation cost?
Our direct cremation starts from £1,595 when we bring your loved one into our care from Airedale General Hospital. It is £1,695 from other locations within 15 miles during office hours and £1,795 out of hours. Direct cremation with the option to visit and say goodbye is £2,345. You will always receive an estimate before anything is agreed.
Direct cremationWhat is included in a direct cremation?
Legal paperwork and professional services, collection in our private ambulance, personal care of your loved one, a coffin, the cremation fee at Oakworth Crematorium, and ashes ready to collect from us.
Direct cremationIs there a funeral service with a direct cremation?
No. No funeral service or ceremony takes place with a direct cremation, and families are free to arrange a memorial or gathering separately, in their own time. If you choose the visit and say goodbye option, you can visit your loved one at our premises by appointment on weekdays between 9am and 4pm.
Direct cremationWhat happens to the ashes after a direct cremation?
Their ashes are returned to you, or dealt with as you instruct, by scattering or interment.
Funeral plansWhat is a funeral plan?
A funeral plan is an easy way to arrange the funeral you want in advance. A plan allows you to specify your wishes and pay for the funeral director’s services included in your plan. As customers often tell us, that can bring peace of mind to you and your family.
Funeral plansWho provides your funeral plans?
At Gallagher Family Funeral Directors, we work in partnership with Golden Charter to provide you with a simple way to plan ahead. As independently owned funeral directors, we will take the time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you.
Funeral plansWhat does a funeral plan cover?
A plan covers the funeral director’s services included in your plan. A plan from Golden Charter also includes an allowance towards third party costs, such as the cremation or burial fees and the minister or officiant’s fee. There will only be more to pay at the time of the funeral if the third party costs exceed the allowance when you buy your plan, or if the costs increase by more than the growth of your plan. Once your plan is fully paid for, there will be nothing more to pay for our funeral director’s services included in the plan – guaranteed.
Funeral plansAre funeral plans regulated?
Yes. Funeral plans are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and you can check that a provider is authorised.
Funeral plansHow can I pay for a funeral plan, and is my money protected?
You can spread the cost or make a one-off payment, whichever is right for you. The retail price of your plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today plus an arrangement fee of £350, which is retained by Golden Charter to help cover the costs of setting up your plan. Your payments are held within the Golden Charter Trust, operated by a Board of Trustees completely independent of Golden Charter. Their role is to hold your payments and ensure that the funeral director services in your plan can be paid for at the time they are required. For more information on how your payments are protected, please visit goldencharter.co.uk/faqs.
Funeral plansCan anyone buy a funeral plan?
A plan from Golden Charter is available to all UK residents regardless of age or state of health.
Funeral plansCan I choose what goes in my funeral plan?
Yes. You can tell us the type of funeral you would like, plus any hymns, music or other personal touches, and we will make sure your plan reflects them. Plans are as flexible as possible and tailored to you.
Still have a question? Call us at any time on 01535 690 979. You can also read how arranging a funeral works, what to do when someone dies, or see our funeral costs.