All Articles

Apr 18
Renting a coffin , the eco-friendly & cost-efficient alternative

Is that even possible in the UK!………..It is if you visit Sophia at Woven Farewell Coffins. Sophia has been quoted as saying that in America, rental coffins are more mainstream, but we don’t have this culture in the UK…….yet. It requires a mind-shift on a taboo subject, as well as greater awareness of hygiene standards and how the aesthetics work – so people feel they can trust something new. (credit Tracie Beardsley, The BV Magazine, A greener goodbye) So how does it work? Well, each rental coffin comes with a removable…

Apr 18
Can I use the local church hall for a non-religious Celebration or Wake?

Your loved one might not have been religious and may not have stepped into church in their life but does that mean you can’t hire that perfectly suited room in the Church Hall for a get together after the funeral? It’s worth thinking about for a larger group that doesn’t want to take over the local Pub! But make sure you check ahead, The Charities Commission for England and Wales gave some guidance back in 2001 with regards to usage and, although the guidance wasn’t necessarily concerned with the occasional casual…

Apr 18
NAFD petition response: Add death, dying and bereavement to the national curriculum

The Government has responded to the NAFD petition “Add content on death, dying and bereavement to the national curriculum”. The opening statement from DfE as follows: “Bereavement can be taught about as part of relationships and health education in an age-appropriate way. When we review the statutory guidance, we will assess whether content on bereavement is needed.” The RHSE statutory guidance from the Dfe mentions bereavement once in the current 50 page document. On average, 111 children in the UK lose a parent every day. Talking to pupils about death can…

Apr 18
Safety Net for Your Inheritance, Estate Executors Safe from Financial Apocalypse!

UK Government’s Safety Net for Your Inheritance, Estate Executors Safe from Financial Apocalypse! Most people are aware of The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) providing protection to consumers in the event that their bank went bust. The standard protection limit being £85k per person per financial institution or £170k for joint accounts. For those who work in the thousands, with regards to savings, the normal protection is probably more than sufficient, but what happens when large sums are generated from an inheritance? One of the protections offered by the FSCS is…

Apr 18
What is the Canine Care Card & why it’s great!

A win-win situation for dogs, dog owners, and something that every dog owner should consider. The Dogs Trust charity has created a solution to the problems that might be faced following the death of a dog owner: the Canine Care Card. It’s a simple card that owners carry in their wallet or purse, including information about their dog; name, breed, and any medical conditions they may have. In the event of the pet owner’s death or incapacity, the card acts to ensure that their dog(s) are cared for by someone who…

Apr 18
Immigration settlement application fee

The £2,404 immigration settlement application fee for those who have lost their partner The £2,404 immigration settlement application fee for those who have lost their partner could impact 2.9 million non-UK nationals in the UK, causing financial burden during a time of grief. Based on data from the Office for National Statistics. Indefinite leave to remain is how foreign nationals settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.…

Apr 05
Protecting Privacy: Why Shred Your Phone

“Protecting Privacy and Peace of Mind: Why Shredding Your Phone Can Ease the Emotional Burden on Your Loved Ones” For some people, the idea of their loved ones going through their personal belongings, including their mobile phone, can be emotionally distressing. Shredding the phone can prevent this from happening and alleviate any potential stress or discomfort for family members or friends. Quite simply writing the following in your last will and testament should be enough for the executors to take the appropriate action: “I direct that my mobile phone be securely…

Mar 30
 “Grandad, what’s an Obit-u-ary?”

 “Grandad, what’s an Obit-u-ary?”…….. Of course grandad knows but how do you explain it to a 7-10 year old? Grandad’s reply, “It’s a message in a newspaper or on a website that tells people that someone has passed away. It usually tells about the person’s life and how much they meant to their family and friends. It also says when and where the funeral will be.” Funeral Directions have published their first “Funeral terms and End of Life expressions Glossary for younger children (generally primary school age) for use by Teachers,…

Mar 24
Trust fund….what trust fund? The £400Mn giveaway!

In 2002, the UK government introduced Child Trust Funds and invested £2bn for children born between 2005 and 2011; £250 per child plus a further £250 for children from low-income families and those in local authority care. But, a YouGov survey in 2019 showed that one in six parents were unaware of the scheme! In fact, 28% of accounts were set up by HMRC for parents who didn’t sign up in time. The total value in April 2021 of all the trusts was £10,500,000,000 (£10.5bn), averaging £1,911 per trust but it’s…