When A Death Occurs

Whether it is expected or sudden, death can bring bewilderment and confusion. Our telephones are answered 24 hours a day to provide advice and assistance to those in the early stages of bereavement.

When a loved one dies, the first call should be to their GP practice. Often a doctor, either the deceased’s GP during surgery hours, or an out of hours Doctor, will attend to confirm that death has occurred. The Doctor will give permission for the deceased to be transferred to our premises.

Sometimes, if the death was expected and a Registered Nurse or Paramedic is in attendance, it will not be necessary for a doctor to attend. You can contact us, irrespective of the time of day, once a medical professional has given permission for the deceased to be transferred to our premises.

We aim to attend within the hour.

If the death was sudden or unexpected the Coroner may be informed, and it may be necessary for the deceased to be taken to the Coroner’s Mortuary for further investigation of the death.

Arranging a Funeral

Arranging a funeral usually begins with initial contact either at our premises or in the home. During this meeting we will discuss what decisions have already been made – either by the client and their family, or by the deceased themselves. We can then guide the family through some of the aspects which they may not yet have already considered, providing options, alternatives and advice.

We are able to provide information about the formalities which need to be considered, such as registering the death; and other aspects which may be relevant, such as Coroners procedures and obtaining assistance from the DWP (Department Of Working Pensions) with the cost of a funeral.

As well as planning the format of the funeral day, we can offer a range of additional services such as, choice of casket or coffins, Order of Service Booklets, placing of newspaper notices, handling of donations in lieu of flowers and floral tributes. Also taken care of will be the appropriate arrangements with the local authorities, churches and officiants.

Arrangements can be made at our private chapel of rest for you and your family if you would like a private moment to say goodbye.

Funeral Pre-Planning

A funeral plan is an easy way to arrange the funeral you want in advance. A plan allows you to specify your wishes and pay for the funeral director’s services included in your plan. As customers often tell us, that can bring peace of mind to you and your family. A plan from Golden Charter also includes an allowance towards third party costs. These are essential, non-funeral director services such as the cremation or burial fees, plus the minister or officiant’s fee to perform the service. The value of the allowance included in your plan may grow over time. There will only be more to pay at the time of the funeral if the third party costs exceed the allowance when you buy your plan, or if the costs increase by more than the growth of your plan.

At Riverside Funeral Services, we work in partnership with Golden Charter to provide you with a simple way to plan ahead. As one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers, Golden Charter has helped over 900,000 people to plan ahead, so we’re completely confident in offering their plans to you.

Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure the plans we offer are as flexible as possible. When you get in touch, we’ll be happy to discuss your funeral requirements and tailor a plan to suit you. Rest assured a plan from Golden Charter is available to all UK residents, regardless of age or state of health.

Would you like to know more information about how a Golden Charter funeral plan could work for you? We can provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision for you and your family, so get in touch today!

Professional Fleet

We honour your loved one’s journey with a Mercedes‑Benz E‑Class executive hearse and limousine—comfortably seating seven, with leather upholstery and climate control for a refined cortege experience.

Direct Cremation

Riverside Funeral Services offers a range of direct cremation packages, and we encourage families to speak with us to learn more about these options. This helps ensure that you make the choice that best suits your wishes and circumstances.

A direct cremation is an unattended cremation with no service or mourners present. However, families often choose to personalise this option. For example, we can arrange private viewings, small family services, or a memorable drive-by past a meaningful location on the way to the crematorium.

Green Funerals

We are proud members of the Green Funeral Directors Network. For those prioritising environmental impact, we provide greener, eco-conscious funeral options. Please contact us to learn more.