Frequently asked questions

Call us at any hour on 0191 586 4322. We will listen, explain what needs to happen and answer your questions. Once a doctor has attended, or the hospital or care home is ready, we make the arrangements to bring your loved one into our care.

Call their GP. The doctor will confirm the death and, in due course, issue the medical certificate showing the cause of death. Once the doctor has been, call us and we will bring your loved one into our care. If you would like them to stay at home for a little while, tell us as soon as you can and we will guide you.

If the doctor cannot give a cause of death, they will inform the Coroner, who will arrange for an examination. Most deaths are found to have natural causes, so an inquest is usually not needed. If a post mortem is required, we liaise with the Coroner and keep you informed. We can often set a provisional funeral date.

The hospital bereavement team will support you and tell you where your nearest register office is. Once you have called us, we contact the hospital or care home and make the arrangements for you.

Yes. Call us straight away. We arrange our private ambulance service to bring them into our care at one of our Chapels of Rest, at Peterlee or Trimdon Grange, and organise the documents needed. Where necessary, we liaise with the Foreign Office, the insurance company and the local Coroner's office for you.

Yes. You can come and see us about the funeral before the death is registered, and we will guide you through each decision.

The death should be registered within five days. If the Coroner is involved this may not be possible, and we will keep you updated.

A close relative, a relative who was present during the last illness, the executor or other legal representative, or the person arranging the funeral. The person who registers the death is called the informant.

Their birth certificate and National Insurance number, if you have them. The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent straight to the registrar by the GP or the hospital bereavement office. If you cannot find the other documents, you can still register the death.

After registration the informant receives the death certificate and a green certificate. We need the green certificate before the burial or cremation can go ahead.

Traditional, simple, bespoke, religious, non-religious and humanist funerals, woodland burial, cremation and burial funerals, direct cremation and direct unattended burial. Every funeral we arrange is bespoke, so you can mix traditional choices with personal ones. See our funeral services.

Our experienced team takes care of the arrangements with great attention to detail, including flowers, the reception, music, and newspaper and social media announcements. We offer classic choices including our silver Jaguar hearse and limousines.

Yes. Every part of the service can be tailored, so you might choose a religious service and a churchyard burial alongside something more personal, such as a horse drawn hearse or a motorcycle and sidecar.

A modest, dignified funeral at a lower cost. Our team will explain the options available, such as a classic, modest coffin, our Jaguar hearse, and a simple burial or cremation, and you can still add a few personal touches.

Our prices are on our Standardised Price List.

Yes. Every funeral we arrange is bespoke. You might choose a religious or non-religious service, a burial, woodland burial, traditional churchyard burial or ashes scattered at sea, releasing white doves, a horse drawn hearse or an eco friendly willow coffin.

Yes. Our religious funeral services cater for a range of faiths, and we can include as many religious elements as you need, from a Christian burial service to a Hindu cremation. We will make sure we know what is needed.

At a place of worship, at the crematorium, or somewhere else that is appropriate, such as by the sea or in a park.

The service can be as traditional or as modern as you would like, for example a non-religious graveside service, a cremation, a burial at sea or a woodland funeral.

A ceremony that celebrates someone's life without including any religious aspects. We will talk with you about your loved one's beliefs and wishes, then create a service that suits them, with personal touches such as releasing doves, bagpipes or a horse drawn carriage.

A memorial or commemorative service gives family and friends another chance to come together and remember. If circumstances mean the funeral cannot be as you had hoped, we can provide a meaningful funeral now and a memorial service later, once everyone can be together.

A cremation that family and friends do not attend. On our Standardised Price List it appears as an unattended cremation. Family and friends may choose to have a ceremony, event or service for the person who has died, but they do not attend the cremation itself.

Our charges for an unattended cremation, and the crematorium fee, are set out on our Standardised Price List.

A burial that family and friends do not attend. Our Standardised Price List describes an unattended funeral as one where family and friends may choose to have a ceremony, event or service for the person who has died, but they do not attend the burial itself.

Our charges for an unattended burial are set out on our Standardised Price List.

A funeral where family and friends have a ceremony, event or service for the person who has died at the same time as they attend the cremation. Our Standardised Price List calls this an attended funeral. The service can be religious or non-religious.

Taking care of all necessary legal and administrative arrangements, collecting your loved one from the place of death into our care, care before the funeral in appropriate facilities, a suitable coffin, viewing by appointment if you would like it, and taking your loved one to the crematorium or cemetery at a date and time you agree with us, in a hearse.

Yes. There is a burial fee, sometimes called the interment fee, for digging and closing a new grave or reopening and closing an existing one. For a new grave you will also need to pay for the plot. Our Standardised Price List shows the typical local fee at Peterlee Cemetery, Eden Lane.

A natural burial ground where trees and native wildflowers are planted on and around the graves, so the burial ground itself becomes a living memory of those buried there. It can be part of a religious or non-religious funeral, and you can pair it with choices such as an eco friendly willow coffin.

Our mortuaries are very well equipped and maintained to a very high standard. Your loved one will be washed and put into a clean gown, before being dressed and prepared according to your instructions.

Yes. Our embalmer is qualified with the British Institute of Embalmers.

Yes. Our Chapels of Rest are at our Peterlee and Trimdon Grange funeral homes. All we ask is that you let us know when you would like to visit, so we can make sure you have the space and privacy you need. Some people like to visit more than once.

There is no right or wrong answer, and we cannot advise someone one way or the other. If you want to, we are there to make the experience as comfortable as possible, and we can come with you if you would rather not be alone.

Our vehicles are silver Jaguar XFs, built to our own requirements. We invested in this hand crafted fleet in 2020 and were the first company in East Durham to offer them.

Each of our chauffeur driven limousines comfortably seats seven family members. We will collect you from your chosen starting point and return you there, or take you on to the reception. Additional limousines can be hired if you need them.

Yes. We have built excellent links with horse drawn carriage companies, and we can also arrange a motorcycle hearse or a Land Rover. They are listed as additional options on our Standardised Price List.

We offer a variety of coffins and caskets, from a traditional oak type coffin to a one off design that celebrates the life of your loved one. Our funeral directors will explain the details, construction and finishing options. A personal farewell does not need to mean an overly expensive coffin.

Yes. We have an in house Cruse bereavement counsellor with 25 years' experience, and our staff are trained in counselling and bereavement support.

Yes. We can put you in direct contact with local organisations who understand and can support you, or contact them on your behalf so they can get in touch with you.

Four, in Peterlee (our Head Office), Horden, Easington Colliery and Trimdon Grange. Each has a private lounge, and our Chapels of Rest are at Peterlee and Trimdon Grange. See our branches.

Call the funeral home nearest to you, or our 24 hour line on 0191 586 4322. Our 24 hour line is answered day and night, whichever branch you choose, and we will help if you are not sure.

Yes. Our staff are happy to visit you in the privacy of your own home to talk things through.

Our Head Office is at The Manse, Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1AD. You can call it on 0191 586 4322, day or night.

Yes. Our Peterlee funeral home has a private lounge and a Chapel of Rest, so your loved one can rest close to the family home. Visits are by appointment.

Our Peterlee funeral home is our nearest branch for Castle Eden, Shotton Colliery and Haswell.

At Normandale House, Fifth Street, Horden, SR8 4BU. You can call it on 0191 586 5178, day or night.

Our Horden funeral home has a private lounge. Our Chapels of Rest, where you can visit your loved one, are at our Peterlee and Trimdon Grange funeral homes. Visits are by appointment.

Our Horden funeral home is our nearest branch for Blackhall Colliery and Castle Eden.

At Claxton House, Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, SR8 3LJ. You can call it on 0191 527 1499, day or night.

Our Easington Colliery funeral home has a private lounge. Our Chapels of Rest, where you can visit your loved one, are at our Peterlee and Trimdon Grange funeral homes. Visits are by appointment.

Our Easington Colliery funeral home is our nearest branch for Easington Village, Murton and Seaham.

At Belle Vue House, Balmoral Terrace, Trimdon Grange, TS29 6ET. You can call it on 01429 883 777, day or night.

Yes. Our Trimdon Grange funeral home has a private lounge and a Chapel of Rest, so your loved one can rest close to the family home. Visits are by appointment.

Our Trimdon Grange funeral home is our nearest branch for Trimdon Village and Trimdon Station, Wheatley Hill and Thornley.

Barrie Lee opened our very first branch in Horden in 1971.

Our Easington Colliery funeral home: Claxton House, Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, SR8 3LJ, 0191 527 1499.

Our Horden funeral home: Normandale House, Fifth Street, Horden, SR8 4BU, 0191 586 5178.

Our Peterlee and Horden funeral homes: The Manse, Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1AD, 0191 586 4322; Normandale House, Fifth Street, Horden, SR8 4BU, 0191 586 5178.

Our Peterlee funeral home: The Manse, Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1AD, 0191 586 4322.

Our Peterlee funeral home: The Manse, Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1AD, 0191 586 4322.

Our Easington Colliery funeral home: Claxton House, Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, SR8 3LJ, 0191 527 1499.

Our Easington Colliery funeral home: Claxton House, Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, SR8 3LJ, 0191 527 1499.

Our Trimdon Grange funeral home: Belle Vue House, Balmoral Terrace, Trimdon Grange, TS29 6ET, 01429 883 777.

Our Trimdon Grange funeral home: Belle Vue House, Balmoral Terrace, Trimdon Grange, TS29 6ET, 01429 883 777.

Our Trimdon Grange funeral home: Belle Vue House, Balmoral Terrace, Trimdon Grange, TS29 6ET, 01429 883 777.

No. You are welcome to call any of our four funeral homes.

On our Standardised Price List, which is one click from every page. All funeral directors are legally required to publish this price list for a standardised set of products and services, so you can compare prices.

Our terms of business show a deposit of £1,002 for an attended cremation and £560 for an unattended cremation, and no deposit for burials. The deposit is paid within 5 days and the final balance is due within 21 days. See our terms of business.

Yes. A burial has a burial fee, and a cremation has a cremation fee. For a cremation you will usually need to pay doctors' fees as well. These are listed on our Standardised Price List.

Payments we make on your behalf to other people and organisations, such as crematorium or cemetery fees, church, organist and minister's fees, doctors' fees, floral tributes, catering, newspaper announcements and the order of service. We have no control over these costs. Our fees and disbursements are shown on one invoice.

Yes. We will discuss all the necessary costs and details of the funeral arrangements with you, and give you a list of estimated costs.

If you are on a low income, or receive certain benefits, you may be able to get help. How much depends on your circumstances, and it will not usually cover the full cost. The Funeral Expenses Payment page on GOV.UK explains who can apply.

By cash, by cheque payable to East Durham Funeral Service Ltd, or by bank transfer (BACS). Our bank details are on our Making a payment page.

We partner with Golden Charter. With a Golden Charter funeral plan you can choose us as your preferred funeral director, and when the time comes we will carry out your wishes locally.

Call Golden Charter on 0800 090 2495 and quote East Durham Funeral Service Ltd, or request a brochure.

A Golden Charter plan is available to all UK residents regardless of age or state of health.

A Golden Charter plan includes an allowance towards third party costs, such as cremation or burial fees. There will only be more to pay if third party costs exceed the allowance when you buy your plan, or if the costs increase by more than the growth of your plan.

We share funeral notices, with service times and arrangements, on our funeral notices page and on our Facebook page.

Yes. We offer a complimentary funeral notice service through our Facebook page. Please call the funeral home looking after the arrangements, or our 24 hour line on 0191 586 4322.

Since 1971, when Barrie Lee opened our first funeral home in Horden. He was one of the first independent funeral directors in the area.

Yes. In 1982 Mr Lee's son-in-law, Philip Maddison, joined the firm, and after Mr Lee's retirement he opened a further four branches in Peterlee, Easington, Trimdon and Wingate. Philip was joined by his son Tom in 2005 and his daughter Ellen, who both now work for the company.

Yes. We are members of SAIF, the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, and every service is completed to SAIF standards.

Our local team is Tom Maddison, Funeral Director; Ellen Maddison, Office Manager; Tracey Gowland, Qualified Embalmer; Paul, Funeral Service Operative; and Ged, Funeral Service Operative.

We are rated Excellent, 5.0 out of 5, from 312 reviews on Trustpilot (as shown on Trustpilot, 9 November 2026). You can read the reviews on Trustpilot.

If we have looked after your family, we would be grateful if you would write a review on Trustpilot.

Yes. Our 24 hour line, 0191 586 4322, is answered day and night, every day of the year.

info@eastdurhamfuneralservice.co.uk. For anything urgent, please call us.

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Yes. Please call us on 0191 586 4322 or email us. We can read information to you over the phone or send it in another format. See our accessibility statement.