What happens next?

We always recommend that you contact us as soon as possible so we are able to discuss with you in person, what the next steps are.  Whether you are considering a traditional funeral service, an unattended funeral service or a direct funeral service, we are always only a telephone call away, and with a wealth of experience, we are able to give you the best advice tailored to your unique situation.

Our telephone number is 0191 410 3863

When you first make contact with us, we will need to ask a few questions about you and also about the person who has passed away.

We will always ask for your name, address, contact telephone numbers and relationship to the person who has passed away.

We will ask for the name, address, date of birth and place of death for the person who has passed away.

Making the Funeral Arrangements

Some people wish to start the funeral arrangements as soon as possible, whilst others would prefer to have some time to think things through.  There is no right or wrong answer – we will make an appointment for you to sit down with a funeral director, whenever you feel ready to do so.  This can be in the comfort of your own home, or if you would prefer, you can visit our office at 28 Ravensworth Road, Birtley, County Durham DH3 1EJ.

Every funeral service we arrange is totally unique to the family we are looking after.  Understanding your needs is key to what we do – we listen to what you need, and create a truly personal service which includes all the individual elements you require.  Further, we will always provide a full estimate of all our charges, with no hidden extras.

What decisions will I have to make?

There are different legal requirements for burial and cremation.  In the case of cremation, it is necessary for us to arrange for doctor’s certificates to be completed by 2 separate doctors, from different practices.  The statutory charge for each doctor is £82.00.  When a cremation service takes place, the only instance when these fees are not payable is when the death has been referred to Her Majesty’s Coroner.

When a burial service takes place, we will require the original grave deed and permission from the grave owner for this grave to be used.

We can arrange a service in your local church prior to travelling to the crematorium or cemetery.  Additionally, a local minister of faith can travel to the cemetery or crematorium and hold a full service there.

For those people who wish for a non-religious service, we will make contact with a Celebrant who will take the service at the crematorium or cemetery.

Should you wish to have a horse drawn carriage or even a motorcycle themed hearse, we can make these arrangements for you.

Our pristine limousines are regularly serviced and maintained to a high standard.  Each limousine can carry 7 passengers.

Music has become an integral part of many funeral services – from classical and pop music to more traditional hymns, there are literally thousands of options available. You can decide whether pre-recorded music is played, or whether an organist, singer or even a band is required.

Our experienced staff will help to devise a newspaper notice or obituary with you, dealing with the local or national press as you require.

We can also include this notice on our online obituary page so everyone can access the funeral information.  Online obituaries are provided free of charge.

From simple and elegant designs to large coffin sprays, we will work with our local florists to deliver a fitting tribute to your loved one on the day of the funeral. Following the funeral, we can deliver the flowers to a place of your choice or they can be taken to a local family grave or home.

If you feel that you would prefer people to send a donation to a nominated charity instead of flowers, we can collect these for you.

A simple buffet or a sit down meal?  Should you wish to arrange a reception after the funeral service, we can suggest local venues and caterers, and make the arrangements for you.

Often kept as a lasting tribute, orders of service and memoriam cards can be created to any design. We will help you design the content which can include the funeral service running order, photographs, hymns, poems and readings. All our funeral stationery is printed to the highest quality.

When we make the funeral arrangements with you, we will discuss visiting the chapel of rest.  During our office hours, you can visit as much or as little as you wish.  Outside our office hours, we ask for you to make an appointment to visit.

Yes – you can bring personal photos and items for the chapel of rest should you wish to do so.

When we sit and make the funeral arrangements with you, we will provide you with a full written estimate of the costs.

We ask that you pay the third party charges prior to the funeral taking place.

It may be that you are entitled to help with the funeral costs from the D.W.P.  This is dependent on your personal circumstances and we will be able to advise you in more detail during the funeral arrangements.

A little bit about us

Andrew, Jimmy, Barry and the team at J. M. & E. Ovington & Son take a great pride in offering a truly personal service to the families they look after.  Find out a little more about our team here.

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Other Services

Memorial Jewellery

Remember a loved one with Ashes into Glass Jewellery. Please ask us for a brochure and we will arrange everything for you.

Memorial Masonry

Whether you need a new headstone or to add an inscription to an additional headstone, our local memorial masons can help.

Repatriation to or from the UK

We are experienced in repatriating a loved one back to the UK and we can also make arrangements for a funeral service in another country.

J. M. & E. Ovington & Son

Here for you when you need us most

Get in touch 0191 410 3863

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