arranging a funeral
William Watson opened Elgin’s first chapel of rest in 1982. This makes us one of Moray’s most respected and long-established funeral directors.
When someone dies
When someone dies there are many things to do, often at a time of deep personal sorrow when we feel least able to cope. If your loved-one has left no funeral instructions in their will, a letter about their wishes or spoken about their wishes, what happens next will inevitably fall to you.
Some may be familiar with the process already, whilst others will be encountering this for the first time. Either way, there are going to be many decisions to make, and certain procedures to understand.
William Watson will take time to explain all these procedures to you in a clear unfussy fashion, advising and supporting you every step of the way.
Streaming
Worldwide streaming and recordings are available, plus multimedia, music and slideshow facilities.
Requirements
for the registrar
Death Ceritificate
Birth Ceritificate
Marriage Ceritificate
Full Name of Surviving Spouse & Date of Birth
National Insurance Number of Deceased
Our years of service will serve you well
William Watson’s years of experience will provide your family with all the practical assistance you need at this emotional time
Call Us on 01343 542664 / 07817 976540
funeral stages
If you are experiencing a loss for the first time there may be dozens of questions you need to ask. William Watson will be here on a round-the-clock basis to answer your questions, but here are some of the things you may wish to consider.
The first steps
Whether your loved-one has died at hospital, nursing home, or private residence, once the death has been verified or certified we can be contacted to assist.
Once the hospital or GP has provided you with a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death you must notify the The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within eight days of your loved-one’s passing. To do this you will need your Birth Ceritificate, Marriage Ceritificate and the National Insurance Number of the deceased.
Once the registrar has provided you with a Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 14) we can confirm arrangments for the funeral.
What type of funeral?
Your loved-one may have made a special request. However, if there are no clear wishes, it will be for you and your family to decide if the body will be cremated or buried and what type of funeral will take place. Put a little bit of their personality into it; were they religious? Did they like a particular kind of music? Are there any particular poems or readings they would have liked?
Cremation or burial
The decision on whether to have a cremation or a burial will depend on a number of things: the wishes expressed by the deceased, the wishes of the next of kin and family, and the estimated costs involved. If you would like William Watson to arrange a burial it may be that you have an existing family plot or would like to purchase one. You may also wish to consider placing a memorial headstone or adding an inscription to an existing one.
The cost of a cremation tends to be lower than that of a burial and you also have more flexibility where the remains or ashes are concerned; they can be scattered or interred.
What are ‘disbursements’?
When people talk about ‘disbursements’ they are usually talking about costs that are beyond the control of the Funeral Director.
These ‘extras’ are likely to include Death Notices, cremation or burial fees and any other third party costs. It’s just a fancy way of saying ‘additional costs’.
Sudden deaths
In the case of a sudden death, the funeral cannot be arranged until all necessary investigations have taken place. However, we can, be contacted beforehand to make provisional arrangements and liaise with the relevant authorities on your behalf.
If someone dies abroad
If someone dies abroad or dies locally and needs to be transported to another country and you want us to make arrangements outside of Scotland, William Watson will undertake this procedure on your behalf as part of the funeral arrangements.
serving the needs of families
not sales
William Watson do not profit from the sale of headstones & memorials or flowers
have you considered?
There may be other things you or your family may want to consider. We can arrange any of the following without prejudice or bias. We do not take commission on sales.
Flowers
Floral tributes and funeral flowers can be arranged to help you pay your respects. We do not sell flowers on site, but we do have several florists we can recommend locally. If you are unsure about the options available, we can advise.
Memorials
Headstones and monuments can provide lasting symbols of love & remembrance. We are happy to recommend local stonemasons like, J.R Henderson & Sons and Elgin Marble Company (opposite Asda in Elgin Town Centre).
Press Notice
Announce the death of your loved one with details of the funeral or service. This can cost anywhere between £50 and £500. William Watson have years of experience in writing and submitting these for publication.
Music
Music can be used to reflect the life and personality of the person you have lost. It might be a favourite hymn or a favourite record. Depending on your wishes, we can help you arrange an organist or have the music played through our sound system.
contact us
where to find us
