First Steps when Arranging a Funeral

Questions to consider when making funeral arrangements:

  • Do you want burial or cremation?
  • Where do you want to hold the service - in a church, funeral home, crematorium or at home?
  • Do you want to have a one or two day funeral? i.e. a removal on the day of the funeral or on the evening before
  • Where will the deceased repose – at home or in a funeral home?
  • When do you want to have the funeral?
  • What clothes will the deceased wear when reposing?
  • Will you need transport on the day of the funeral – i.e. a limousine for the family?
  • Will you publish a death notice in a local/national newspaper, on local radio or RIP.ie? Who will be mentioned in this notice? 
  • Do you require music for the funeral service?

Few, if any, can ever be adequately prepared for the emotional stress which arises on the death of a loved one. It is precisely at that time that you need the services of professionals who understand what you are going through and who can discreetly handle all the necessary funeral arrangements with compassion and caring support.

As Sligo’s longest established Funeral Directors, Seán Feehily provides reassurance that even the smallest detail will be attended to and that every individual requirement will be carried out in a dignified manner.

Many of our client families are arranging a funeral for the first time and their initial concern is what to do first. This will depend on where the death has occurred and what are the circumstances.

The most common scenarios are outlined here:

Information Symbol
When someone dies at home

If the death was expected the deceased will have been attended to by their GP recently. The initial call should be made to the doctor who will be required to visit the home to confirm that death has occurred.

Once death has been confirmed (by GP) you should contact Seán Feehily’s Funeral Services on 071 915 9999 to begin to make funeral arrangements.

If the death is unexpected the first call should be made to the deceased's GP who attended during their most recent illness. The GP may advise the family to contact their nearest Garda Station as the Gardai may wish to refer the death to the Coroner.

For any death at home the family may also wish to contact a Minister of their faith.

Information Symbol
When someone dies in hospital, hospice or nursing home

Normally a doctor will be in attendance or called by the nursing team to confirm that death has occurred. The doctor or hospital staff will advise the family if a post mortem examination will be required, but in most cases this will not be necessary and you should contact Seán Feehily’s Funeral Services on 071 915 9999 to make funeral arrangements.

Information Symbol
When someone dies suddenly

Sudden deaths, wherever they occur, should be reported to An Garda Siochána, who will in turn will refer the death to The Coroner, who having assessed the facts surrounding the death, may issue instructions for a post-mortem examination (or autopsy) to take place. This is an examination carried out by a pathologist to establish the medical cause of death. When an autopsy is required there will normally be a delay of 1 to 2 days (or longer if death occurs at a weekend or bank holiday) before proceeding with funeral arrangements.

When the death has been reported you should contact Seán Feehily’s Funeral Services on 071 915 9999 to make funeral arrangements.

Your Choice - Your Way

Every person is unique, so every funeral should be too. Our aim is to ensure that the final tribute is a true reflection of your wishes or those of your family or, indeed, the deceased.

Funerals vary by way of:

  • Burial or Cremation
  • Religious / Non Religious service
  • Coffin selection
  • Obituary notice wording
  • Music selection
  • Funeral Flowers
  • Funeral service booklets
  • Transportation

Call our office on 071 915 9999 or Seán Feehily 24 hours on mobile 087 2411114.

Call our office on 071 915 9999 or Seán Feehily 24 hours on mobile 087 2411114.

Funeral Home Picture
If you have an enquiry visit out contact information page.
Funeral Home Picture
Visit our reviews page to see what people have said about our service.
Coffin Picture
We stock a large range of coffins and caskets, visit our coffins page to view a selection.
Funeral Home Picture
Click here to view a list of our most frequently asked questions.