All across England people are being required to stay home. Funeral ceremonies may only be allow limited attendance and those who do attend must still follow all Covid health instructions with regards to social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing. The funeral industry has been thrown into turmoil at the result of the pandemic and Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors Teddington are following government guidance on managing a funeral in England, during this coronavirus pandemic.

This short explanation from Lodge Brother explains what can be expected if you need to arrange a funeral, and will help you to understand how funerals have changed over this period.

Funeral attendance is limited to 30 people or less, this is for funerals both indoors as well as outdoors. Should you hold an event which is not a funeral per say, but is a belief-based or commemorative event, only 15 people may attend, whether it be indoors or outdoors. Lodge Brothers funeral directors Roehampton recommends that funerals by invitation only, thereby controlling the numbers of attendees to within permissible limits and ensuring that close family and friends gain preferential access to the funeral.

In line with the government guidelines, our funeral events are held in Covid secure venues that have been through thorough health and safety risk assessments, ensuring that all risks regarding the coronavirus are mitigated and limited.

In the event that your loved one has passed from covid-related complications, family members who have been in contact with the deceased must remain in isolation for the prescribed amount of time and personal attendance to the funeral is not permitted. Remote attendance is the alternative to curb the potential spreading of the virus and placing other family members in harm’s way.

Government guidelines state that funerals should not be delayed in order to accommodate family members finishing isolation. This is hardest on loved ones left behind to accept however, Lodge Brothers funeral directors Slough will make all of the relevant arrangements and alleviate you from any additional and undue stress resulting from the difficult circumstances that you are already facing. It is a well-known fact that funerals are a vital part of the grieving process however priority must remain on contain the disease, in order to ensure that no one suffers unnecessarily and becomes ill themselves, placing their own lives in danger as well. Families need their members who are covid free, to stay that way so that life can carry on as best physically possible under these trying circumstances.

Family members and friends who are not part of the family bubble who wish to travel in order to attend the funeral, should chose to stay in a hotel or guest house where they will not be exposed to other family members who may be isolating or in quarantine.

All mourners must follow covid rules and remain compliant to those rules throughout the event. Funerals can be held in a shorter period, or in rotation, so that respects can still be paid to the deceased yet in a safe environment.

LODGE BROTHERS PROBATE ATTORNEY SERVICES

Lodge Brothers Legal Services offer 3 levels of service to suit your requirements.

WILLS

Only 30% of people in this country have made a Will. This is because we do not like thinking about death and we are unaware of the importance of having a professionally drafted Will. Once a person overcomes their fears and makes a Will they find that it is a positive step that gives them great peace of mind. They are reassured that their affairs are in order.

If you die without a Will you die “intestate” meaning the intestacy laws set out which of your family members inherit and the amount. Your spouse will not necessarily inherit all of your estate and if you are unmarried your Partner will not inherit anything.

A legally valid Will, carefully prepared by a qualified expert Solicitor, will ensure that:

• you provide for your loved ones in the way you wish;
• you choose the Executors who will administer your estate;
• you choose the Guardians for your minor children; and
• you can take steps to reduce the Inheritance Tax payable.

You can also choose to appoint Lodge Brothers Legal Services as the Executors of your Will. We will ensure that your estate is dealt with promptly and efficiently so that your loved ones do not have the responsibility but do receive their inheritance as quickly as possible.

Fixed fee from £275 (£330 inc. VAT).
Our professional services offer peace of mind to you and your family.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS HAM

You can trust Lodge Brothers to guide you through every step of the journey. They take great pride in being able to offer a 24 hour service, 365 days a year, providing advice on what needs to be done and by whom. Lodge Brothers have a large selection of Funeral plans Ham and will assist with every step of the way ensuring you choose a plan to suit your needs.

With over 230 years of experience, they have encountered nearly every situation and everyone is an individual, and there are many options available to help you create a meaningful, memorable and personal funeral day that honours the deceased.

Lodge Brothers funeral directors Ham have a wide range of funeral plans as they know how important it is to plan ahead with Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Ham to ensure your family won’t face any extra cost or worries when the time comes – plus they will find comfort in the knowledge that you said goodbye in the way that you wanted.

A Funeral Plan from Lodge Brothers gives you:

• Protection against the rising cost of funerals – secure your plan at TODAY’s prices
• Peace of mind for you and your loved ones
• Personalise your funeral – Say “goodbye” YOUR way
• Personal and Professional service from a fully trained Funeral Arranger
• Guaranteed acceptance – No age or health restrictions
• Monthly payment option – interest-free available
• All funds held in a secure TRUST FUND ready to be paid when the time comes.

PROBATE ATTORNEY

When a family member or loved one dies, dealing with estate administration is often the last thing on a person’s mind. We offer an efficient, professional and above all personal service to make your life easier at such a distressing time.

When a person dies leaving a valid Will, the appointed Executors need to apply for a Grant of Probate to administer the Deceased’s estate. If there is no Will, the laws of intestacy apply, and the law sets out which family member is entitled to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration and administer the estate.

The process of administering an estate is commonly known as probate and involves:

1. ascertaining the value of the Deceased’s assets and liabilities;
2. dealing with the Inland Revenue Inheritance Tax return;
3. preparing the probate papers;
4. applying to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration; and
5. collecting in the assets of the estate and settling the liabilities once the Grant is received.

Probate will be required to sell or transfer a house, sell or transfer shares and in most cases to close bank accounts. The assistance required by the Executors will depend on the finances of the Deceased, the terms of the Will, the family circumstances and how much work the Executors are willing or able to do.

OUR PROBATE SERVICES

Lodge Brothers Legal Services offer 3 levels of service to suit your requirements.

Fixed Fee from £250 (£300 inc. VAT):

1. Executors prepare all probate forms;
2. Executors make a personal application to the probate registry;
3. We will check the forms are completed correctly; and
4. Responsibility for the application remains with Executors.

Fixed Fee from £750 (£900 inc. VAT) plus disbursements:

1. Executors responsible for registering death with all asset holders;
2. Executors establish the assets and liabilities at date of death; and
3. We will complete the probate papers, Inheritance tax forms and apply for the Grant of Probate.

Fixed Fee from £1,500 (£1,800 inc. VAT ) plus disbursements: This is our most complete service which will relieve you of the heavy burden of dealing with the estate when your thoughts are elsewhere.

1. It ensures that probate is obtained quickly and efficiently.
2. We will register the death certificate with the asset holders;
3. We will ascertain the date of death assets and liabilities of the estate; and
4. We will complete all the probate papers, Inheritance Tax forms and apply for the Grant of Probate.

Pre-planning allows you to plan your funeral or cremation service ahead of time thus alleviating the financial pressure and emotional strain on your family and friends at the time of loss and grief. By planning ahead your family will not occur any additional expenses as you pay for the funeral before your passing. By securing your funeral plan you pay at TODAY’S prices, saving money in the long run.

Pre-planning a funeral gives an opportunity for you to get important information either from your loved one or if you are planning your own funeral for you to tell your loved ones exactly how you wish to be remembered. Choose your favourite hymns, floral tributes, memorials to ensure your last wishes are granted. By conveying your personal wishes or customs will alleviate the family of the pressure of deciding how you would like to be remembered.

Give your loved ones the gift of knowing that they are fulfilling your wishes and finding comfort in the knowledge that you said goodbye in the way that you wanted.

Funeral plans from Lodge Brothers gives you:

• Protection against the rising cost of funerals – secure your plan at TODAY’s prices
• Peace of mind for you and your loved ones
• Personalise your funeral – Say “goodbye” YOUR way
• Personal and Professional service from a fully trained Funeral Arranger
• Guaranteed acceptance – No age or health restrictions
• Monthly payment option – interest-free available
• All funds held in a secure TRUST FUND ready to be paid when the time comes.

Lodge Brothers pre-paid funeral plans throughout the UK including funeral plans Ham

Death is not something we like to focus on, however, Lodge Brothers funeral plans Guildford understand the importance of funeral plans and look at the advantages of being prepared for death.

Lodge Brothers family owned business for over 200 years know all too well how important family is and the importance of not adding extra financial pressure on them at a time when they are grieving the most. Ensure your funeral expenses covered and your final wishes are undertaken with a variety of funeral plans Ascot from Lodge Brothers.

Protect your family against the financial burden of funeral expenses in the event of the death of a loved one so your family can focus on a new way of life, without having to worry about any financial burdens.

There are many advantages to pre-planning your funeral: –

• Protection against the rising cost of funerals – secure your plan at TODAY’s prices
• Peace of mind for you and your loved ones
• Personalise your funeral – Say “goodbye” YOUR way
• Personal and Professional service from a fully trained Funeral Arranger
• Guaranteed acceptance – No age or health restrictions
• Monthly payment option – interest-free available
• All funds held in a secure TRUST FUND ready to be paid when the time comes.

Lodge Brothers dedicated staff have helped thousands of clients plan their own funeral so that your loved one is remembered with a fitting memorial. Choose from your favourite hymns, floral arrangements, coffin, and headstones.

Contact Lodge Brothers funeral plans Walton today!

Protect your loved ones with a pre-paid funeral plan…

Lodge Brothers assist their clients to embrace the end of life process by celebrating memories and personalise the end of life.

Planning for the inevitable with one of several funeral plans Ealing will secure your wishes and lift a burden from your friends and family. When the time comes and your family is feeling overwhelmed with emotional and legal tasks, they will have your final wishes at their fingertips making the entire process much more bearable.

Lodge brothers offer a step-by-step guide to everything you need to do at the time of a loss. You will never feel alone as their dedicated staff will be by your side, helping you through the painful process.

A Funeral Plan from Lodge Brothers gives you:

ü  Protection against the rising cost of funerals – secure your plan at TODAY’s prices

ü  Peace of mind for you and your loved ones

ü  Personalise your funeral – Say “goodbye” YOUR way

ü  Personal and Professional service from a fully trained Funeral Arranger

ü  Guaranteed acceptance – No age or health restrictions

ü  Monthly payment option – interest-free available

ü  All funds held in a secure TRUST FUND ready to be paid when the time comes.

Leve your family with less to worry about with one of Lodge Brothers funeral plans Esher.

Lodge Brothers are not just funeral directors they are a team of passionate individuals who do so much for the community ensuring they embrace every occasion with enthusiasm and passion. Look at some of the Easter celebrations that have been taking place within the many Lodge Brother branches throughout the UK.

Libby Fitzgerald, our funeral arranger at Ruislip branch has bought some wonderful colours to her Easter window display to brighten up the branch!

EASTER COLOURING COMPETITION AT LODGE BROTHERS WALTON

Our Walton branch is running an Easter colouring competition for children under 5 and children under 12. The branches great location in Walton High Street and proximity to local schools should help this competition capture some children’s imagination!

So please come in and collect a poster to colour from our branch arranger Ann….Easter Eggs to the Winners!!

Closing date for submissions is Wednesday 12th April.

EASTER TREATS IN ASHFORD

Quentin Edgington, District Manager Group Support and PR, was delighted to provide and help distribute Hot Cross Buns to Ashford House nursing home.  The residents and staff said, the buns were delicious and great way to start celebrating Easter.

Lodge Brothers will assist with planning ahead with a Pre-Paid funeral plans Windsor will ensure your family won’t face any extra cost or worries when the time comes – plus they will find comfort in the knowledge that you said goodbye in the way that you wanted.

Lodge Brothers Funeral plans Ruislip gives you:

• Protection against the rising cost of funerals – secure your plan at TODAY’s prices
• Peace of mind for you and your loved ones
• Personalise your funeral – Say “goodbye” YOUR way
• Personal and Professional service from a fully trained Funeral Arranger
• Guaranteed acceptance – No age or health restrictions
• Monthly payment option – interest-free available
• All funds held in a secure TRUST FUND ready to be paid when the time comes

Click here for more information on funeral plans Woking

The Lodge Funeral Directors Surbiton branch is managed by Bill Wilde who is an experienced Funeral Director with a Diploma in funeral Directing. He is assisted by Funeral Arranger Jane Day.

We have been serving local families in Surrey and Middlesex since 1780. Our new office in Surbiton has been totally refurbished to provide modern, peaceful and comforting surroundings for bereaved families.

Google map listing for Funeral Directors Surbiton

Brentford Says Final Farewell to Flight Lieutenant Owen Burns – Battle of Britain Veteran

Lodge Bothers funeral directors Surbiton and Funeral Directors Twickenham have had the privilege of conducting hundreds of funerals and memorials for some of Britain’s most loved people. They recently conducted a private funeral service for Flight Lieutenant Owen Burns.

Local resident Flight Lieutenant Owen Valentine Burns, who was an air gunner on Bristol Blenheims during the Battle of Britain – making him one of Churchill’s ‘The Few’ – has died at the age of 99.

Owen was born in Birkenhead on 20th November 1915 but moved to Brentford in 1983 where he joined Deborah, also from Birkenhead, who subsequently became his wife.

Owen, who was just a few months short of his 100th birthday, when he died on 30 June 2015, had volunteered for the RAF on 3 October 1939, joining up as a wireless operator/air gunner.
Owen joined 235 Squadron, a Coastal Command Squadron assigned to Fighter Command to replace losses incurred during the Battle for France and flew with them throughout the Battle of Britain.

On 11th September 1940 he was one of 6 Blenheims escorting 6 Albacores of the Fleet Air Arm to Calais to torpedo the German fleet. On arrival they were greeted by anti-aircraft fire and then attacked by 25+ ME 109s. Fortunately the attack only lasted a few minutes, it is presumed because the Messerschmitts were low on fuel returning from an attack in SE England but only 3 Albacores and 4 Blenheims made it back. (This is an official entry in Lord Dowding’s Diary).

On 14 February 1941 Burns’ Blenheim was caught in an enemy raid while returning from a night patrol over the North Sea. The aircraft crashed on landing as the flare path lighting the airfield had been extinguished. The observer was killed and the pilot spent a year in hospital, but Owen escaped with a broken collar bone – could the date Valetine’s Day be significant?

In January 1945 he was appointed Gunnery Officer for 19 Group, Plymouth and a month later he became PA to Air Officer Commanding Air Vice Marshal CBS Spackman. Owen left the RAF in March 1948.

After the war Owen worked in the North West of England for a whisky company before coming to London after his retirement. He became involved in Battle of Britain activities and as recently as 10 June 2015, Owen and Deborah attended a tea for members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association hosted by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

He was also recently presented to Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the new visitor centre ‘The Wing’ at the National Memorial to ‘The Few’ in Capel le Ferne, Kent in March.

Owen died peacefully on 30th June 2015 in hospital after a short illness and is survived by his wife Deborah, his 6 daughters and his son.

Click here Funeral Directors Cobham for more information on how Lodge Brothers can assist you.

District Manager Bill Wilde covers quite a few miles at this time of year playing Santa when not looking after clients. Gifts on behalf of the Directors and staff at lodgebros.co.uk are delivered out to nursing and residential homes for staff and residents to enjoy.

Bill said, “The planning starts as early as September which is when I start getting the presents ready and distributed out to each of the branches in my District. As soon as December arrives, every opportunity I get, I am out on the road delivering until the task is complete. Covering a large area, which includes Esher, Addlestone, Weybridge, Walton and Windsor, needs some planning.

But it is worth it especially when I see the enjoyment it brings. My job looking after families is very important, but this is something that I really enjoy at this time of year”.

Lodge Brothers understand how difficult decisions can be especially when its children, they have a large selection of Childrens Memorials and will help you make the right choice.