FAQs – click the question for the explanation.

A competent person would confirm that death has occurred.
This would be a medical trained person, such as Doctor, nurse or paramedic

Generally speaking it’s most practical if the your appointed funeral directors’ staff carry out this task.

Our telephone lines are open 24-hours to take calls for removals once the authority has been given by a medically trained person.

As unforseen delays can cause problems,
we advise you to contact us, to arrange the funeral, once you have the appointment date with the Registrar.
Please call us before if you have any questions about the steps needed.

The deceased will be kept in our mortuary until the time of the funeral.

The Coroner is involved when an unexpected death occurs, or the persons doctor has not seen them recently.

The current procedure to register is the doctor will inform the registrar of the next of kins contact details, along with the certification for the registrar to proceed.
You may be asked for the following information:-
• Date and place of death
• Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and home address
• If married, full name and occupation of surviving spouse.

If you have any documents of ID, take them with you.
You may be asked to provide ID of yourself.

Currently the GP will forward this to the registrar to proceed.
Prior to the pandemic, this document was given to the next of kin, to take to the Registrar.

The registration of death is normally done in the same County.
You need to phone the Registrar for an appointment once the doctor has emailed the Medical Certificate of Death to the registrar.

The Registrar will issue you with one copy. You will usually need other copies to be able to send to the bank, solicitors etc. for which there will be a charge by the Registrar.

Deaths in England and Wales or Northern Ireland should be registered within 5 days (or make an appointment). If this is not going to be possible, you should inform the Registrar. In Scotland, deaths must be registered within 8 days.
If there is a delay in the Registrar receiving the Doctors or Coroners forms, then inform the Registrar.

It is best to allow about 10-14 days, depending on the paperwork required, however the funeral director will advise and be able to give more specific guidance on timings including availability at the Crematorium, Cemetery or Church and other associated services.

The chapel of rest allows families to pay their respects to the deceased privately. At ER Hickmott and Son we have two large rooms available for viewings.

Yes you can, however certain materials are restricted.

Yes, you can put personal items in the coffin, however certain items are not allowed, for example batteries.

No. Most funerals in the UK follow traditional religious practices with a typical service taking approx. 20-30 minutes. In some cases this may extend to over an hour. However there is also the option of a secular service which would include poetry, music and an appreciation of the deceased’s life. We are able to arrange an officiant for you.

It is an invasive preservation technique that involves introducing a chemical preservative through the vascular system. We only suggest this option when a body is to be kept for some time, exported by air or the coffin is to be opened during a church service.

In the UK about 75% of funerals involve cremation. Cremation is generally cheaper. Cremations are carried out one at a time and the ashes (called cremated remains) which consists of the ash which remains after cremation. The main crematorium in the Tunbridge Wells area requires approximately 4 hours completing the process.

Cremated remains can be placed in the Garden of Remembrance at the crematorium, strewn (poured under a turf), buried loose or in an urn or casket in a grave or taken away by the family.

Source : Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management

You are able to collect the cremated remains the next working day, following the funeral. It is sometimes possible to have them back on the same day of the funeral as long as the service takes place first thing in the morning.

Yes. Once the coffin has left the funeral directors the deceased cannot be removed from it.

The cremation process is governed by strict rules and regulations. The crematorium authorities take great care to ensure that every individual cremation is kept completely separate. A certificate is produced by the Crematorium, certifying the remains.

Yes. The number of family bearers can be from 1 to 6, However we have our bearers carry out the coffin from the hearse ready for the family members to take over.
Please advise the Funeral Director on the day of the funeral.

We can accommodate most requests for funeral transportation as long as they are safe. Speak to your funeral Director about your choice of transport. We can organise horse-drawn hearses and carriages.

There are several factors that determine the funeral cost e.g. style of funeral, choice of coffin, number of limousines required, etc. we will provide you with an itemised estimate of funeral costs.

• Funeral arrangements and carrying out the funeral (including transportation for the family)
• Securing the necessary permits and copies of death certificates
• Fees and disbursements (Coordinating arrangements with a cemetery, crematorium or other
providers.)
• Discretionary extras include: Floral tributes, newspaper notices, service sheets, etc.

See the Funeral Cost page for a typical funeral cost

We will request a deposit to cover the disbursements (e.g. clergy, cemetery, crematorium fees) and up to half of the funeral director's fees. An itemised invoice is sent out after the funeral for the balance to be settled. Payment is made by cheque, debit / credit card or BACS transfer.
Our bank details are given on the invoice.

If you are having trouble paying for a funeral that you have to arrange, you may be able to get assistance to help you with the cost, however it is not a set figure as each case is looked at individually.

Department for Works and Pensions - Funeral Payments

Generally speaking it is best to arrange an appointment to meet one of the advisors and they will guide you on the best options and explain how the costs apply.
A Price list can be emailed upon request and if you ask about final arrangements in person, we will give you a written general price list that you can keep, itemising the range of costs of the goods and services offered. Before you look at any caskets or coffins be sure you have seen a price list with specific prices for each item.

A written estimate is given to you for the funeral, as required by our association.

Once date and time of funeral is fixed the floral delivery can be scheduled. Any request for flowers are referred to various florists to work in conjunction with us for the delivery of wreaths and coffin sprays. Whether you’re looking for funeral or sympathy flowers, the florist can help you to create the perfect floral tribute. In accordance with family wishes donations may be specified in preference to floral tributes.

ER Hickmott & Son has been in the funeral business for over 170 years, a family firm that is the oldest established company in Tunbridge Wells, owned and run by the same family. A funeral director that has been in business for a long time is usually more able to provide a dependable service.

• National Association of Funeral Directors
• Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors
• Members of Golden Charter (for prepayments of funerals)
• Guild of Master Craftsmen