Funeral arrangements are usually made by the immediate family of the deceased. The deceased may have left specific instructions about the funeral service they would like and where they would like to be buried or cremated. Most people respect the deceased’s wishes where possible.
If there is disagreement about who should make the arrangements, the personal representatives of the deceased are entitled to make the decisions. The personal representatives are the executors of the will (if there is a will), or the people entitled to administer the estate if there is no will. The people entitled to administer the estate in the absence of a will are immediate family members.
You can engage an undertaker or funeral director to deal with most aspects of the funeral.
If there is disagreement about who should make the arrangements, the personal representatives of the deceased are entitled to make the decisions. The personal representatives are the executors of the will (if there is a will), or the people entitled to administer the estate if there is no will. The people entitled to administer the estate in the absence of a will are immediate family members.
You can engage an undertaker or funeral director to deal with most aspects of the funeral.
Funeral Director
The Irish Association of Funeral Directors is the undertaker industry's trade association. Members must follow its Code of Practice, this includes:
The funeral director's job may include the following:
Embalming is a specialised process involving the replacement of all body fluids with a substance designed to prevent the body from deteriorating. It is not strictly necessary, especially if the removal and funeral take place relatively quickly after death. About half of all bodies are embalmed.
- Discussing and agreeing in advance (unless expressly asked not to), the funeral director's charges and payment with the next of kin
- Providing full details of costs and payment
- Providing professional and quality services in arranging and conducting the funeral
- Providing accurate advertising of prices and services
- Sensitivity, confidentiality and a commitment to leaving the customer in control of decisionsIndividual funeral arrangements vary widely and depend on, among other things, where the funeral is taking place, the type of coffin (casket) you get and whether or not you hire funeral cars.
The funeral director's job may include the following:
- Discussing the deceased's and the family's wishes and ensuring that all the details are taken care of and that the whole process goes smoothly
- Provision of embalming, the coffin, the hearse, the shroud and the transport of family members
- Organisation of and payment for the grave purchase, grave opening/cremation charges, church offerings, newspaper announcements, flowers, music at the ceremony and catering
Embalming is a specialised process involving the replacement of all body fluids with a substance designed to prevent the body from deteriorating. It is not strictly necessary, especially if the removal and funeral take place relatively quickly after death. About half of all bodies are embalmed.
Burials
Burial grounds (cemeteries) in Ireland are governed and maintained by local authorities. The local authority usually appoints a registrar or caretaker for each cemetery to manage the sale of plots in that site and in some cases to maintain the burial ground.
Prices for grave plots and burials in Ireland can vary a lot, so check around for prices, if possible.
You can also have the deceased's body cremated, and dispose of the ashes by burying them in a family plot using facilities provided by the crematorium or disposing of them privately.
Prices for grave plots and burials in Ireland can vary a lot, so check around for prices, if possible.
You can also have the deceased's body cremated, and dispose of the ashes by burying them in a family plot using facilities provided by the crematorium or disposing of them privately.
Funeral Costs
Funeral costs can vary widely depending on what you opt for and depending on whether it is a city or country funeral (rural funeral costs are generally less expensive). If you have difficulty paying for the funeral, your Department of Social Protection's representative at your local health centre (formerly known as the Community Welfare Officer) may be able to help with an Exceptional Needs Payment.
You can get help with the cost of the funeral:
In many cases a payment or a grant cannot be paid until all the necessary documentation is received. If you are claiming the grant, you are responsible for the production of certificates, documents and any information required, for example:
There are specific rules about taxation in the year of a person's death, for example, a tax refund may be due. There are also extra credits for parents in the years following the death of a spouse or civil partner.
To check your entitlements, contact your nearest Intreo centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
You can get help with the cost of the funeral:
- The Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant is a once-off payment to widows/widowers/surviving civil partners with dependent children. This payment was formerly called the Widowed Parent Grant.
- If someone dies from an accident at work, a Funeral Grant is available.
In many cases a payment or a grant cannot be paid until all the necessary documentation is received. If you are claiming the grant, you are responsible for the production of certificates, documents and any information required, for example:
- Death certificate
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (to prove your relationship to the deceased)
- Funeral receipts
- The deceased person's Personal Public Service (PPS) number
- Your PPS number may also be required
There are specific rules about taxation in the year of a person's death, for example, a tax refund may be due. There are also extra credits for parents in the years following the death of a spouse or civil partner.
To check your entitlements, contact your nearest Intreo centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.