Costs & other services

How much will the funeral cost?

The cost of the funeral is made up of three parts.

  • Disbursements.
  • The funeral.
  • Any additional charges.

To determine the total cost of a funeral the three separate parts have to be added together.

The cost of each funeral varies depending on its' constituent parts, but for your information the average cost is currently £4,025 (January 2022).

Please click here to view our Current Price Guide

What are Disbursements?

  • These are fees that the funeral director pays on your behalf.
  • Fees at the crematorium or cemetery, the minister's fee or fees for a church service, the organist's fee and for a cremation the doctor's fees for completing the statutory cremation forms.

What are the funeral packages?

  • We normally offer a "package" where the cost of the funeral varies depending on the choice of coffin or casket that is chosen and the services provided within the package.
  • All our normal services are included within the cost; these are the removal, hygienic treatment, viewing at the Chapel of Repose, arranging the funeral, providing a Hearse and bearers and most provide at least one limousine for the family.
  • We offer Green Funerals for the environmentally friendly within our range.
  • We also offer a Simple Basic Funeral which provides the essential requirements with the minimum ceremony.

Any additional charges?

  • Such as, additional limousines, newspaper notices, floral tributes or funeral stationery which we will be happy to order on your behalf.
  • Perhaps there will be additional charges for the disposal of cremated remains after a cremation.
  • If the death occurred, or the funeral is to take place some distance from our office, a mileage charge may apply.

Will there be a full explanation of costs

  • All charges will be explained verbally at the initial interview, and a total estimated cost will be provided in writing before the funeral takes place.
  • Our fully itemised account is sent soon after the funeral.

What do we need to know about flowers?

If you decide that floral tributes are appropriate, in memory of the person who has died, you may invite people to send flowers in a variety of ways.

Essentially there are four options:-

  • All flowers - anyone who would like to send flowers can send them to our office.
  • Family flowers only with donations to a charity of your choice.
  • Either flowers or donations - giving people a choice.
  • Some people request no flowers at all, and people may donate to a charity if they wish.
  • We will gladly order flowers for the immediate family or recommend a florist.
  • A record of those who send flowers to our premises is kept and we provide a list of floral tributes for the family.
  • After the funeral we are often asked to take cut flowers to a local nursing home or hospice.

What do we do about donations?

  • If you decide that donations are appropriate the family nominate a charity and invite people to donate in memory of the person who has died.
  • We are pleased to offer our online donation service which is available at wcpltd.com.
  • We no longer accept donations made by cash or cheque.
  • The total amount collected is passed to the nominated charity.
  • The family is provided with a list of donors by e-mail approximately one month after the funeral, including the total amount forwarded to the charity.

How do I place a newspaper notice?

  • You can contact the paper directly or we can assist you.
  • Our funeral directors will be pleased to assist you to draft a newspaper notice. You may find this list of suitable words, quotes and verses helpful when drafting your announcement.
  • You may like to announce the funeral and the choice of flowers or donations.
  • You need to give some thought to the paper in which you would like the notice to appear.
  • We can place the notice for you in any local or national newspaper.
  • We will submit thanks notices after the funeral if requested.

What will the mourners do after the funeral?

  • Family members and friends usually get together after a funeral.
  • This may be at their house, a village or church hall, a hotel or sometimes a club or public house.
  • We will be pleased to recommend venues or caterers to suit your requirements.

How do we pay for the funeral?

  • Cash
  • Cheque
  • Credit/Debit Card
  • BACS Transfer
  • From the deceased's estate - this can be before Probate is granted providing there are sufficient funds in the deceased's bank account. Please ask us for our final account to present to their bank.
  • In certain circumstances, assistance may be obtained from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) towards the payment of funeral expenses. Please visit www.gov.uk/funeral-payments for more information.

How do I deal with the estate?

Depending on the size of the estate and if a will has been left, the Probate Office, Tel: 0300 303 0648 may need to be contacted, or legal advice obtained.

The Department of Work and Pensions issue a very useful guide entitled “What to do after someone dies” available to download on their website at www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies.

 

Can I get help from the DWP towards the cost of a funeral?

Useful websites:
www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

You will need to complete form SF200 from the DWP, or telephone 0800 151 2012, within 6 months of the funeral. You may qualify for assistance if the person responsible for arranging the funeral is receiving:-
• Income Support.
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance.
• Housing Benefit.
• Pension Credit.
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
• The disability element of Working Tax Credit.
• Child Tax Credit.
• Universal Credit

Can you advise on Memorials?

We will be pleased to give advice or arrange the memorial if requested.

Any other topics I should know about?

We practice temporary preservation (embalming) under modern hygienic conditions. We believe all progressive funeral directors should do this as part of the service they offer. Besides the benefits to health both for you and all our staff it also allows visits to the chapel of rest until the day of the funeral.

How should we dress for the Funeral?

Dress varies according to the style of an individual funeral, today more variation is allowed without being considered disrespectful. Most people show comfortable respect in their dress at funerals. Our own staff wear morning suits.

What if the deceased has a heart pacemaker?

If the deceased is fitted with a heart pacemaker, this should be removed. For a cremation this is compulsory, and for a burial this will avoid a charge from the National Health Service. If a pacemaker, or any similar implant is fitted, it is important that you advise us. We will then remove and return it to the local Health Authority for you.

Where can I get further advice on Funerals?

We regularly hold talks to give explanations and to answer questions on funerals to clubs, groups, training courses etc, so please feel free to contact us at any time.

 

Walter C Parson

The Old Police Station, Callington

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  • Client parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & Preparation facilities

The Old Police Station
1 Saltash Road,
Callington,
Cornwall,
PL17 7BB

Office Opening Hours
Mon – Fri, 10.00am – 4.00pm

Tel 01579 382 000 (24 Hr Number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

The Firs, Crownhill, Plymouth

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  • Client parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & Preparation facilities

The Firs, 702 Budshead Road,
Crownhill,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL6 5DY

Office Opening Hours
Mon-Fri, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Tel 01752 76 76 76 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Decimus, Exeter

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  • Parking close by & Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

Decimus,
206 Topsham Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX2 6AA

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Tel 01392 43 33 33 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Riverside, Ivybridge

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception &  24 Hour service
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Riverside,
9 Costly Street,
Ivybridge,
Devon,
PL21 0DB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01752 69 09 09 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Kings House, Newton Abbot

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Kings House,
King Street,
Newton Abbot,
Devon,
TQ12 2LG

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01626 33 44 44 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

St Mary’s View, Plympton, Plymouth

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  • Easy parking close by
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

St Mary’s View, 2 Market Road,
Plympton,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL7 1QW

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 343 848 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Barton, Plymstock, Plymouth

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  • 3 hours free parking in the Broadway Car Park (enter registration number at parking machine)
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & preparation facilities

Entrance via the Broadway Car Park

Barton, Horn Lane,
Plymstock,
Plymouth,
Devon, PL9 9BR

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 40 40 42 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Pengelly Funeral Service, Saltash

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  • Parking close by & Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

 

Pengelly Funeral Service
139, Fore Street,
Saltash,
Cornwall,
PL12 6AB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 84 88 38 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Salisbury House, St Judes, Plymouth

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  • On street parking & Reception
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities
  • Administration office

Salisbury House, 11 Tothill Avenue,
St Judes,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL4 8PJ

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 66 54 38 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

The Stables, Tavistock

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

The Stables,
32 West Street,
Tavistock,
Devon,
PL19 8JY

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm

Tel 01822 617 300 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Pidgen & Son Funeral Service, Torpoint

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Pidgen & Son Funeral Service
4, Trevol Business Park
Torpoint,
Cornwall,
PL11 2TB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01752 812 479 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Torquay, Babbacombe Road

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  • Client parking available
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities
  • Reception

147 Babbacombe Road,
Torquay,
Devon,
TQ1 3SU

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01803 32 94 94 (24 Hr number)