Comparing our services like for like.

For most people, when they are comparing Funeral Directors like for like, they are looking at 2 things.  Service and Cost.  We believe that our local reputation and the wonderful google reviews that our previous clients have left, should tell the story regarding the service that we provide.  So then then the only other aspect to look at, is that of cost. 

Understanding Funeral Costs.

We understand that funerals are expensive events, but we try to keep costs as low as possible.  We’re committed to keeping our funeral prices fair but also affordable. Our pricing is transparent, honest and accurate.  We are the only local funeral directors to show online, the complete service pricing on all of our Simple, Traditional and Direct funeral services.  We don’t apply any caveats such as ‘prices from’. We will never try to sell you anything you don’t need and before every funeral. We always provide a full written estimate based on everything that we have agreed when we make those arrangements.

A word of caution regarding the prices you may see on other web sites.

Beware of the ‘standardised price list’, that is often used to show service fees.  The standardised price list was a government attempt to force all funeral directors to show basic prices online. It requires that all Funeral Directors must show in a very clear and uniformly formatted template, their basic costs for a simple funeral service. So this is what all businesses were forced to do.  The problem with this, is that a ‘Simple’ funeral service has many limitations, a lack of options on booking dates and times, and very limited funeral support.  It should include a coffin, but this is always the cheapest coffin available and some of them are absolutely horrible being made of unfinished MDF.  The Simple service is a heavily discounted service that In real world, nobody ever really chooses.  So in reality, if you are looking at like for like comparisons and viewing standardised price lists as a guide. You are being misled.

Most local funeral directors in Congleton will show a fee of approximately £2395 on their Standardised Price list.  This is because we set our fee for our Traditional Service at £2400 and they want to appear less expensive than us.  However they are showing a Standardised Price for a Simple Service with all it’s limitations and not a Traditional one.  If you are comparing like for like, our Simple Service costs £1850 so significantly less than the £2395 you are being shown by others.   If you are shopping around on based on pricing and getting the best price you can find, then ignore the Standardised Price lists and ask for full written like for like quotes that include everything you might need.  You will usually find our services are on average £300 – £400 lower than our competitors.

 Shopping around to get the very lowest price. 

Occasionally people phone us asking for the ‘best price’ that we can offer.  We believe we offer the very best service, and that our service is competitively priced.  We will not enter into conversations about price matching to other funeral directors because we feel that’s unfair to all our other clients.  Our service is built on integrity and honesty.  There is a reason why we are the highest google reviewed service in Congleton.  In the most simple terms, you get what you pay for!

Our advice in these moments, is to phone around everyone else and to ask difficult questions.  Where will your loved one be kept, onsite or out of town? Can you see their facilities? Can you have a look in the mortuary and check their hygiene standards?  Can you see where your loved one will be embalmed, and dressed? If they are including a coffin, what type is it? Does it look nice or is it made of MDF? Are the people you are entrusting to arrange the funeral professionally qualified? Do they have a chapel of rest in Congleton? These are the questions that will make other funeral directors very nervous and excuses will follow! 

If you have any concerns about paying for a funeral, our advice is always to talk to us. We can usually find ways to make things a little easier for you.

Funeral Plans and Planning. 

There are many people who have purchased pre-paid funeral plans from other funeral companies or directly online or over the phone.  We can accept funeral plans from Golden Charter, Golden Leaves and Avalon. If you have purchased a plan from Dignity, or even the Co-op we can help you transfer that plan.  If you are looking to protect yourself from future expenses and need a plan, then we can also help.

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