There’s never a good time to think about your funeral, or someone else’s. But there’s many good reasons to explore options, make decisions or start a difficult conversation early.
- Funeral plans with clear choices make it easier for those who will be overseeing the arrangements.
- Removing the burden of doubt at a difficult time gives them – and you – peace of mind.
- It saves families money – the UK average funeral cost £335* less where decisions were known in advance.
*Sun Life Cost of Dying Report 2026
Here’s three ways we can help:
1. It costs nothing to talk
We don’t charge for professional funeral advice. Your local team can guide you through the essentials as well as other funeral possibilities based on your needs. We’ll provide accurate costings and local insight to help you shape a funeral that’s just right. We can meet you in the comfort of your own home or in a branch that’s convenient for you, and have the discussion solo or with your family and friends/executor as required.
2. Free Plan of Wishes
We’ll create formal Plans of Wishes that record your choices to store with important papers or share with loved ones for when the time comes. We don’t charge for this service and you can update plans as life’s circumstances change. A Plan of Wishes can be as simple as one or two preferred choices through to an elaborate set of instructions. We’ll keep a copy so when the time comes, your loved ones just need to contact us knowing your decisions can be honoured. Appointments in branch aren’t necessary or we can book a time to see you in the comfort of your own home.
3. Prepaid funeral plans
Putting money aside that is protected and designed to cover the main costs of your funeral, or for someone else, is best achieved through our Golden Charter* pre-paid funeral plans. Funeral plans are an excellent way to beat rising costs as our funeral director fees included in the plan are fixed and guaranteed at today’s prices.
We start by identifying what you want: direct cremation, traditional send-off or an elaborate celebration of life (and everything in between). Each one is tailored to your requirements so you only pay for the funeral you want; nothing more, nothing less. When the time comes, your family can add to the plan with extra options or, if not all the elements are used, a refund is provided.
*Based on Golden Charter analysis and independent research of funeral plan market size as at November 2025
Guaranteed
Funeral Director Services
- Professional services: coordinating and making funeral arrangements
- Transportation from place of death to our premises
- Care of the person who’s died and preparation for family visiting
- Advice on certification, registration of death and related documentation
- Digital Obituary and Social Media Notices
- Coffin or casket requested
- Collection of clothes and keepsakes if requested
- Family visiting
- Bereavement after-care
- Return of ashes
- Provision of funeral vehicles requested
- Extra attendance on the day
allowance towards
Third Part Costs
- Crematorium, cemetery or hydrolysis fees
- Purchase of burial plot
- Cemetery fee: opening of new or existing grave for burial or interment of ashes
- Officiant
- Newspaper notice
- Flowers
- Hire of church, hall or other venue
- Fees of organist, musicians or other contributors
- Catering
- Memorial headstones
- Ashes urns, caskets or designed scatter tubes
- Memorial jewellery or keepsakes
Choose between one of the three flexible payment options:
- Single payment which offers immediate cover
- 12 monthly payments
- Instalment payment option spreading the cost of your plan between 2 and 15 years.
William Purves (Funeral Directors) Limited trading as William Purves funeral directors is an appointed representative of Golden Charter Limited trading as Golden Charter Funeral Plans which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:965279).
Frequently asked questions
What happens to flowers after a funeral?
There are a number of options available to families who order flowers for a funeral.
They can be left around the graveside or at crematorium, or they can be taken to any planned celebration after the funeral. Some families choose to divide tributes as mementos for mourners, while others place them on a family memorial in days that follow.
Does the hearse carry passengers?
It is possible to arrange transport in the same hearse as a passenger and we recommend you speak to your funeral director to clarify options.
Do we have to use a celebrant or someone that isn’t family to lead a service?
There is no rule or requirement when it comes to leading a service. Those who knew the person who’s died often take the officiant role. We can provide celebrant recommendations whether that’s a faith leader, celebrant or humanist. And if none are required, we can assist whoever a family chooses when it comes to preparing tributes and organising a service.
Do you offer direct cremations?
We cater for every type of funeral. Direct cremations are also known as unattended funerals as there is no service arranged. There are pros and cons to direct cremations and we strongly advise speaking to a funeral director to explore if this option is right for you and your loved ones.
Can we have someone walk in front of the hearse?
Paging is where a funeral director will lead the hearse and cortege. Usually this is done on arrival to the cemetery or crematorium, leaving a family home, passing a place of significance, particularly where mourners are gathered to pay their respects. We can page at any time, multi-times on a last journey. Speak to us about possibilities especially if this will make the experience more personal for those left behind.
Does the hearse have to drive at a certain speed?
There are no rules when it comes to going fast or slow when we take someone on their final journey. We will always respect the road conditions and any other considerations that could impact the route and speed. If this is something you want to explore further to make it more personal, ask your funeral director.
This may sound silly…
There’s no such thing as a silly question. We’re here to listen and help you to arrange a funeral with knowledge, insight and guidance. In fact, sometimes it’s that very question that helps shape a funeral that’s “just right”.
We're not sure if embalming is for mum.
Embalming is optional. It’s recommended if you anticipate a delay before the funeral takes place. This may be to allow family members to travel and say goodbye first. Or if the funeral itself takes more than a few days to arrange: registration turnaround times may be longer, venue or officiant availability may mean booking a later date than expected or a large event could require longer to arrange. It’s also recommended if you plan to spend time to say goodbye as embalming delays the natural process allowing your loved ones, and those who are caring for her, to be safe in doing so.
If I want to deliver a eulogy, how long should it be?
Like a funeral, the eulogy is very personal and there is no rule to their timescale. Our recommendation is to prepare a 3-4 minute tribute as there may be other funeral elements to factor in overall: music, readings, digital tributes or other contributions.
How many passengers can travel in the limousines?
We can accommodate seven passengers in a limousine. Officiants can be transported within the family group or we can make arrangements with them to accompany us or travel directly. It’s also possible for us to arrange less formal transport if that’s required. Or if large numbers are anticipated, we can also book coaches.
Are children allowed to travel in our fleet?
Children are welcome to travel in our limousines provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult who must supply and fit relevant car seats or cushions as required.
What is the major cost difference between a burial and cremation?
There are various factors to consider when choosing burial or cremation. Urban areas where ground is scarce often have higher burial fees and there may be out-of-area considerations. Cremation options may be limited and consequently cost more overall for those who live far away from a facility, but the purchase of ground may be more affordable. Burials will also incur cemetery fees to open existing graves, or to purchase new ground. There are also memorial costs likely to be related to burials for adding inscriptions or to purchase new stones. Cremations are one cost: unattended options do not include a service and attended cremations will include service costs. Ashes are returned within this fee but there may be additional costs to inter or bury these in a grave along with any storage or memorial keepsakes.
Can you help with a later celebration of life after the funeral?
We’re here to assist with any funeral, memorial or celebration of life which can take place at any time as suits you and your loved ones.
How long should we keep the ashes?
There’s no right or wrong answer for how long to keep a loved one. It’s a very personal thing and we can explore options and advice to support you. It’s possible to use our Ashes Library (Lothian only) and we can offer a range of memorial keepsake solutions.
Where should I send flowers?
Some families will provide instructions for flowers in the newspaper notice or an obituary on our website or Facebook page. Funeral directors accept deliveries for funerals, usually up to 24 hours before the date. It’s also possible to take flowers to a funeral directly, but we do recommend checking beforehand to affirm what the family’s preferences are.
Who’s responsible for organising a funeral?
Arrangements for a funeral fall to the next of kin or executor who is named, often listed in a Will, funeral Plan of Wishes or prepaid plan. Chosen by the person who’s died, an executor does not necessarily have to be a relation. If there is any doubt as to who the next of kin is, we have a summary of the legal process followed in England and Scotland to determine responsibility.
Can we bring personal nik-naks when we visit a loved one?
We encourage families to say goodbye by visiting their loved one before a funeral. Families have brought letters to read, finished the final chapter of a book, play music, leave drawings or toys, even have a nightcap or afternoon tea. It’s your time, so we’ll make it as personal and peaceful as you want, and you can bring what you need on the day.
Can we bring our dog to the funeral?
It is possible to bring a dog to all our funeral homes and most natural or woodland burial sites. Crematoria and places of worship like all venues will have their individual rules on what animals are allowed on the premises. We’ll explore all possibilities based on the funeral you want.
I'd like to leave a note of my wishes but not pay for a plan.
Our Plans of Wishes cost nothing and you can update these as often as required to reflect life’s changing circumstances. You can do these online or we recommend speaking to us so we can guide you through the essentials and other options to create something that’s a prefect fit for you. Copies can be made for you to keep for when the time comes, or share with executors or loved ones. Read our ‘Comparing insurance policies to prepaid funeral plans’ guide.