What types of funeral are there?

Choosing the right service for you

At Craven, we believe that a choice of funeral is a highly personal decision which should obviously reflect the wishes of your loved one and the family.

Because it’s not just about the cards and flowers, it’s about those personal touches that celebrate a person’s life; as individual and distinctive as the deceased themselves.

So we’re happy to include the unique small touches that matter most at any service. You might want the funeral cortège to drive past Anfield (or Goodison!), alongside the Mersey or on Penny Lane? Or perhaps you’d like your guests to wear a particular colour? Or how about personalising the coffin with photos or paintings? It’s all up to you.

And it’s our job to make it happen. Together, we’ll create a unique and fitting tribute.

Burial or cremation

Of course, this is a really personal decision – often influenced by factors such as family tradition, religion or the wishes of your loved one.

You might want to consider whether to dress the deceased in their own clothing, or that the coffin is decorated to reflect an interest or hobby they may have enjoyed.

Please note that a burial has fewer restrictions about the placing of possessions, choice of clothing and decoration than a cremation. We can advise you on any restrictions.

Choosing a burial

The most common form of burial is in a churchyard or cemetery. Depending on local regulations and availability, you usually have the choice between using a new or existing grave.

Existing graves:  If a grave is already in existence, perhaps as part of a family plot, we’ll need the deeds of the grave or other related documents. Don’t worry if you don’t have them, we can help you locate them. We will also need to check there is enough space.
New graves: When purchasing a new grave, some authorities may allow you to reserve or purchase grave space next to it.

There are alternatives to burial in a churchyard or cemetery of course. These include burial in a vault, burial at sea and woodland burials. Please contact us to discuss these options.

Arranging a cremation

If you decide to use a crematorium, you can choose between a full service or a shorter committal service. You can hold a service or church or another location before holding a shorter committal service in the crematorium.

The end of the service is usually called the committal. There may be a closing of curtains as the committal takes place, or the coffin may move gently from sight. There are some restrictions (metal objects and certain materials) on what can be included in a committal. You can discuss your wishes with us.

Please contact us on (0151) 228 3900 (24-hour manned line) and we’ll take it from here.