Our Funeral Costs
"This is a shining example of a well run family funeral directors" - Fran Hall The Good Funeral Guide
Why choose A.H. Cheater Funeral Directors?
At A.H. Cheater, we know that choosing the right funeral director is a deeply personal decision. Not all funeral homes are the same, and we’re here to offer you a compassionate, professional service tailored to your needs.
We are a small, dedicated, and trained team committed to providing the highest quality service. Our modern, peaceful premises and exceptional facilities are designed with care and respect for both you and your loved one. We take pride in owning and maintaining our own vehicles, ensuring they are always in excellent condition.
With years of experience, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way, treating your loved one with the utmost dignity. All care of the deceased takes place at our premises, where trust and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
While we aim to be competitive, we will never compromise on the quality and service you deserve. We are here to help, with empathy, integrity, and a genuine commitment to supporting you during this difficult time.
At A. H. Cheater Funeral Directors, we will help you arrange a send-off for your loved one, whatever your needs and budget. We are here to serve your needs and be by your side during this difficult time.
The Peace family and their team have a vast knowledge and experience. They will use this to empower you to make informed choices. You will be given the time and guidance to make decisions that create a personal funeral, representing both yours and your loved one’s wishes. Every funeral service is unique. We pride ourselves on giving each family every possible opportunity to create a service that suits their needs. Following the arrangements, we will provide a detailed estimate of all the potential costs involved.
A direct cremation is a cremation that takes place without a funeral service or mourners present at the committal.
This is a low-cost cremation option, as without a service, it removes the need to spend money on a procession of funeral cars, a full-length slot at the crematorium, a minister or celebrant, as well as flowers and orders of service sheets.
However, while a direct cremation addresses financial concerns, a funeral service, even in its simplest form, provides emotional and communal support that can help enormously in the journey of grief.
It is important to carefully consider the needs and wishes of both the deceased and the family members left behind as to whether this type of send-off is right for you.
Our fee for this service is from £1495 and includes:
- Transfer of the deceased from a local address or hospital (within a 15-mile radius) in ‘working hours’
- Care of the person who has died in our modern facilities (up to 21 days)
- Provision of a wood effect cremation coffin or suitable alternative
- Provision of our discreet private ambulance and 2 trained members of staff for conveyance to our chosen crematorium
- Collecting and retaining cremated remains from the crematorium
The dates and times of these services are subject to the crematoriums’ discretion.
A Direct Cremation does not include:
- Preparation of the deceased for visitation or use of the chapel of rest. (available on request)
- A choice of crematorium
- Collection of donations in lieu of flowers
- The funeral service taking place at any other venue before the cremation
- leaving from the family home or via a prescribed route
- Crematorium ‘direct cremation’ fee
An ‘out of hours’ collection of the person who has died, to our private chapel of rest will incur a further £175.
We can also offer Direct Burials, however these will incur additional costs. Please contact us for further information.
Full payment of this service is requested 48 hours in advance of the funeral.
Occasionally clients want to have a funeral service, but just want to keep it really simple. Whether that is due to their budget or personal wishes, we understand.
We can offer our Simple Funeral Service as an option. With defined service restrictions, we are able to keep our costs down, while still providing a dignified funeral carried out to the highest standards. Naturally the same care and attention as you would expect.
Our fee for this service is £2685.00 and includes the following;
- Our basic professional services, including arrangements for the funeral
- Care of the person who has died, on our premises before the funeral (up to 21 days)
- Provision of a plain wood effect coffin for burial or cremation.
- Transfer of the deceased during working hours (within a 15-mile radius)
- Provision of a hearse for conveyance direct to the local cemetery, churchyard or crematorium. Certain times and days may be excluded.
This simple funeral does not include:
- Collection of donations in lieu of flowers
- The funeral service taking place at any other venue before or after cremation
- The hearse leaving from the family home or via a prescribed route
- Four trained bearers to carry the coffin
- Administration of disbursements payable on the client’s behalf before the funeral
- Advice and guidance in the setting up of photo tributes or other media
- Compiling and insertion of death notices
Additional option of a full bearing party to carry the coffin £200 (4 bearers)
In addition to our fees, you will need to add the cost of disbursements (for example, cremation or burial fees – see disbursements).
Full payment of this service, including disbursements, is requested in advance of the funeral.
Disbursements are the items which the funeral director pays at the time of the funeral, on behalf of the clients. These include; cremation fees, doctors’ fees, church and minister’s fees, floral tributes, death notices and grave digging fees (this list is not exhaustive). The costs of these items are out of the funeral directors control.
Below are some examples of disbursement costs locally (as of May 2023)
| Cremation | From |
|---|---|
| Test Valley Crematorium | £1150.00 |
| Test Valley Crematorium (Restricted Times) | £750.00 |
| Test Valley Crematorium (Unattended Cremation) | £325.00 |
| Southampton Crematorium | £999.00 |
| Southampton Crematorium (Restricted times) | £680.00 |
| Southampton Crematorium (Unattended Cremation) | £400.00 |
| Wessex Vale Crematorium | £1150.00 |
| Wessex Vale Crematorium (Restricted times) | £750.00 |
| Wessex Vale Crematorium (Unattended Cremation) | £325.00 |
| Salisbury Crematorium | £965.00 |
| Burial | From |
| Woodley Cemetery, Romsey – Includes Purchase of Exclusive Right of Burial and interment. – Fees vary depending on depth of grave and residence of deceased. |
£1110.00 |
| Church of England Churchyards | £366.00 |
| Local Parish Cemeteries (fees are usually double for former parish residents) | £420.00 |
| Gravedigger costs | £500.00 |
| Other Disbursements | From |
| Clergy fees | £228.00 |
| Non-religious/funeral celebrant | £220.00 |
| Organist fee | £75.00 |
| Doctors fee for completion of cremation certificates | £82.00 |
| Removal of a headstone | £160.00 |
| Burial of cremated remains | From |
| Woodley and Botley Road Cemetery (including purchase of exclusive right) | £660.00 |
| Church of England Churchyard | £192.00 |
STANDARDISED PRICE LIST
All funeral directors are legally required to publish this Price List for a standardised set of products and services. This is to help you think through your options and make choices, and to let you compare prices between different funeral directors (because prices can vary).
The person who arranges the funeral and signs the estimate is legally responsible for paying for the funeral. If you are worried about how you will pay for the funeral please talk to us as we may be able to suggest ways to reduce any possible financial burden.
Payment
Traditionally, payment is made from the deceased’s estate. If there are sufficient funds available an Executor of the Will or personal representative of the deceased, can pass the invoice to the deceased’s bank who will settle the account directly with the Funeral Director. Otherwise payment can be accepted by cheque, cash, BACS (bank transfer) or Credit/Debit Card.
Financial Assistance
There are many sources of financial assistance which may be available to help with payment for the funeral. Naturally these are dependent upon individual circumstances.
Life Insurance or Funeral Plan
The deceased may have made some provision in advance for their funeral, by buying either a life insurance policy or a Funeral Plan. If they have done this, you should find the documents confirming this with their personal papers.
Help from the Government – Bereavement Payment
If your husband, wife or civil partner dies, you could be entitled to a one-off, tax free Bereavement Payment of up to £2,000. To qualify you need to be under State Pension age and the deceased must have paid enough National Insurance contributions. For more information see: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement.
Pension Scheme
If the person who has died was paying into or receiving a personal pension or a pension from their employer, this may include provision for a payment or provide an allowance upon their death. You should contact the pension provider to find out whether this is in place.
Trade Unions/Armed Services/Veterans
If the deceased was a member of the armed forces, a veteran or member of a trade union, they may be able to assist towards funeral expenses.
Help from the Government – DWP Funeral Payment
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be able to claim a DWP Funeral Payment to help towards a funeral (Claim Form SF200) although any payment is unlikely to cover the whole funeral bill. The government will assess if it is reasonable for you to be expected to pay for the funeral and whether there are any other relatives who are able to contribute to the expenses. Calculations are based upon the applicant’s ability to pay, not the financial situation of the person who has died. A claim must be made within 3 months.
The qualifying benefits are:
- Income Support.
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Pension Credit.
- Housing Benefit.
- The disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit.
- One of the extra elements of Child Tax Credit.
- Universal Credit.
You can find more information about DWP Funeral Payments at www.direct.gov.uk/benefits
If you need any assistance with completing claim forms, the Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help, or you can ask for an appointment at your local JobCentre Plus.
