Terms of Business

We aim to act in a professional manner and provide a courteous, sensitive and dignified service to you.

We are qualified with both the National Association of Funeral Directors and the British Institute of Embalmers and adhere to and endorse their standards and Codes of Practice.

We are also members of the Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), and similarly, we both adhere to and endorse the associated regulatory requirements and guidelines and to conform to their Code of Practice, copies of which are available by request.

ESTIMATES AND EXPENSES

The estimate sent to you before the funeral sets out the services which we agree to supply. This estimate is an indication of the charges likely to be incurred on the basis of the information and details we know at the date of the estimate. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the estimate, the charges are liable to alteration particularly where third parties change their rates or charges or additional services are requested.

We may not know the amount of third-party charges in advance of the funeral; however, we give you a best estimate of such charges in the written estimate. The actual amount of the charges will be detailed and shown in the final account.

With the exception of the Simple Funeral and the Direct Cremation, where we ask for full payment in advance of the funeral service being confirmed, we normally ask for a 50% deposit to cover third party costs prior to the day of the funeral.

If you amend your instructions, we may request your written confirmation of the changes and depending on the amendment, may mean the estimate and final invoice will need to be updated.

We are a VAT registered company ((Reg no: 367842458) and will add VAT to our charges, where applicable, and at the rate applicable when we prepare the invoice.

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

We require a 50% deposit once arrangements are put in place, the final funeral account is due for payment within fourteen days of receipt, unless otherwise agreed by us in writing.

If you fail to pay us in full on the due date we may charge you interest:

– at a rate of 4% above our bank’s Base Rate from time to time in force;

– calculated (on a daily basis) from the date of our account until payment;

– compounded on the first day of each month; and

– before and after any Judgment (unless a Court orders otherwise).

DATA PROTECTION

Words shown in italics are defined in the Data Protection Act 1998 (“the Act”).

We respect the confidential nature of the information given to us and, where you provide us with personal data (“data”), we will ensure that the data will be held securely, in confidence and processed for the purpose of carrying out our services. In order to provide our services we may need to pass such data to third parties and those third parties, who are performing some of the services for you, may contact you directly. Under the Act you have the right to know what data we hold on you and you can, by applying to us in writing, receive copies of that data.

COOLING-OFF PERIOD

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation & Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 may give you the right to terminate this agreement in the cooling-off period of fourteen days. In the event that you exercise the right to cancel this contract during the cooling-off period, you will be required to pay a reasonable amount for goods and services already supplied.

TERMINATION

This agreement may also be terminated before the services are delivered: (1) by us if you fail to honour your obligations under these Terms and (2) by you communicating to us in writing, terminating your instructions.

If we or you terminate your instructions you may, depending upon the reasons for termination, be asked to pay a reasonable amount based upon the work carried out up to the time your termination is received.

STANDARDS OF SERVICE

We are currently applying for membership of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors and agree to abide in full with their code of practice, in terms of our professional conduct and performance. Until successful application, we are bound by English Law, however comments may be made to influence our application, should you believe that we fall below our Standards of Service at any point.

All dates and times provided on the estimate cannot be guaranteed until final bookings are made and confirmed. Although we endeavour to provide a prompt and efficient service for you, there may be instances where, because of circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to fulfil our obligations to you on the date or time specified. Where this is the case we will make every attempt to contact you in advance, and advise you of alternative options.

AGREEMENT

Your continuing instructions will amount to your continuing acceptance of these Terms of Business.

If any of these terms are unenforceable as drafted:-

– it will not affect the enforceability of any other of these Terms; and

– if it would be enforceable if amended, it will be treated as so amended.

Nothing in these Terms restricts or limits our liability for death or personal injury.

This agreement is subject to English Law. If you decide to commence legal action, you may do so, in any appropriate UK Court.

What our
customers say...

Richard and his team are consummate professionals who supported us at the most challenging of times.

Gary G.

After losing our mum very unexpectedly, we walked into your office like 3 scared little children, not knowing what to do or what to say. It felt like you and your team wrapped your arms around us while helping us through the most traumatic time. Your guidance through the whole process was done with such kindness, care and consideration, we are, and will forever be truly grateful.

Linda

Richard and his team were respectful, considerate and calm. I always felt Richard was there to quietly and efficiently help me through the arrangements for my dad's funeral.

Crispin

Richard was recommended by a friend. I immediately felt comfortable and relaxed. He was a good listener, easy to talk to and his manner was reassuring and helpful. I can't thank him enough for seeing us smoothly through this traumatic time.

Anne P.

I lost my husband in his early 50's and Richard took over with great empathy, kindness and discretion. The professionalism of both him and his team was exemplary, even down to organising the traffic so that my husband's biker friends could follow us to the funeral. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

S. Boorer

Nothing was too much trouble. Everything from start to finish was absolutely perfect, the attention to details also superb including the timing of the drivers closing on both car doors, in my eyes, with that attention to detail I knew my Dad was in safe hands

Lee A.

I cannot recommend Richard enough for his compassion, professionalism and kind and thoughtful approach when dealing with myself and my family at such a difficult time. Nothing was too much bother for Richard.

J Kelly

We can't rate Westcountry Funeral Service high enough for their level of compassion .... nothing was ever too much trouble. Excellent communication throughout the whole process and everything was done to a high professional standard. I would highly recommend Westcountry Funeral Service.

Tristan S.

From start to finish the professional service that we received was excellent. We would recommend this company to anyone who sadly is in need of this service.

Peter C.

Throughout the undertakers were superb, calm, stewarding agents of remarkable humanity... It was an incredible experience - a good disturbance of the heart.

Paul C

Richard took over and gave our father's funeral dignity. An excellent all round service that I have no hesitation in recommending.

David H.

Leah talked me through all the options and procedures, including giving an itemized quote, whereas other funeral directors just gave me a total cost.

Justin

...unbelievable from start to finish. It is rare to find such a truly personal service

Ben S.

From the moment we contacted Richard we knew our loved one, and the family, were in the safest hands. Outstanding care, service and value for money

Chris D.

We chose Westcountry Funerals at Elburton based on a feeling. We viewed the online photos of the beautiful Old Smithy building, and knew that our loved one would have approved of such an historical place :) We were absolutely right to go with our instinct, as we then met, and were dealt with, by the wonderful funeral director, Leah

Sarah

Leah, Richard and the team really did my grandfather proud, so nice to see a walker in front of the car on the approach to his house and when leaving, I would highly recommend the team for the traditional and professional service.

Mike O