Independent Funeral Directors

Phone Number: 01695 424 888

Burscough: 01704 891555

Independent Funeral Director
Ormskirk, Aughton, Burscough, Lancashire

If you require an independent funeral director in Ormskirk or the surrounding areas, we can help. We are an independent family concern with over 27 years of experience, owned and managed by The Hunter Family.

We assist families and loved ones in carrying out wonderfully respectful, well-organised funerals.

Based in Ormskirk, Aughton and Burscough, we pride ourselves on working with families throughout the surrounding areas of Lancashire.

  • 24 Hour Personal Service
  • Private Chapels of Rest
  • Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plans
  • Pre Paid Funeral Plans Available
  • Memorials supplied and erected

Few of us like to think about funeral arrangements for those we love. So when the unexpected happens, we can often be unprepared when dealing with immense grief. This is when we need the first-class services of a funeral director who is highly professional, organised, experienced, and, above all, understanding.

At MLS Independent Funeral Directors, owned and managed by The Hunter Family, you are assured of all these qualities. 

Our company is an authentic, independent family concern. Now in its third generation, it has over 90 years of combined experience in the funeral profession. The Hunter family really knows how to care for the needs of every bereaved family.

Our team's caring approach has seen the business grow. We have chapels of rest in Aughton and Burscough within our new funeral homes; we believe that many bereaved families have particularly welcomed the availability of caring female and male staff. Indeed, our caring manner is so sympathetic that many continue to stay in contact.

MLS Independent Funeral Directors carries out every critical aspect of funerals, from the first contact until after the funeral. All our planning is treated with respect for the deceased and those who are grieving their loss, as we recognise that this is a stressful time for all, offering as much kindness and patience as you need.

The funeral director or team you have contacted will help you throughout your time of need, allowing them to build a relationship with you. Our staff is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout Fylde Coast, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackpool, and the surrounding areas of Lancashire.

The Hunter Family all hold Diplomas in Funeral Directing and are National Association of Funeral Directors members.

Role of a Funeral Director

The funeral director must fulfil many duties. The first is to provide any support they can for the family through this difficult, emotional time and advice on any funeral arrangements.

They can do this on your behalf with the highest degree of professionalism while acting behind the scenes. A funeral director also researches, explains and discusses any available options when arranging local funerals or others, including all costs involved. Depending on your wishes, the role of the funeral director could include any of the following:

Before the funeral:

They organise for the deceased to be held at a chapel of rest. This allows friends and loved ones a chance to view them before the funeral.
Directors will provide notice of death in local/national newspapers or websites.
They manage any necessary legal documentation and provide advice when needed.
They also advise on any aspects of the funeral, including the types of service and the options available to you in terms of coffins, caskets, catering, venues, priests or non-religious celebrants, transport vehicles, flowers and music, the Order of Service sheet, types of memorials, and donations.

On the day:

Our team of directors will ensure that your wishes and those of the deceased are met and that the funeral/celebration of life goes smoothly.
They then attend to all details for the day, from the transport arrangement for family and close friends to overseeing their funeral service.
Next, they arrange for the deceased's ashes to be given to you or help in organising them to be scattered or preserved.
Beforehand, they gather the attendance cards (obituary) to know who attended the funeral.

Following the funeral:

They arrange for the deceased to be transferred to another location, whether in the UK or abroad.
They have funeral flowers and donations sent to the relevant people, organisations or charities.
Funeral directors also arrange for the graves and headstones to be erected right after burial so that they can be fitted and placed on site.

Pre Paid Funeral Plans  

Although many do not wish to think about funeral plans in advance, you might need to do this to help yourself, your family and your friends.

Some of these could be included in a Will that sets out what the deceased wishes to be done and who will receive funds or property. The will could also state whether the deceased would prefer cremation.

Choosing a Memorial 

Choosing a memorial that you believe best suits the deceased is very important.

The memorial is supposed to last a long time to indicate who they were and have a quote provided by the relatives. Many opt to customise the memorial with different colours, fonts, sizes, etc. These allow you to put on uniqueness for the deceased.

Following A Bereavement 

The coroner:

The coroner would investigate the death for a few reasons: if the deceased person died without a doctor's presence (sudden death), if the deceased had an operation recently, or if the deceased was in hospital within the last 34 hours. Once enquiries have been made, a pathologist may perform some tests. When the results are in, the coroner will decide whether an investigation is needed.  

The Registrar:

Before you come to the register, you will require a certificate from the Doctor or GP who attended the deceased. If this happened in a hospital or hospice, you would be given an internet form for the office.

Once you have registered the death, you will be given a green card. The registration office then gives you another certificate, known as the death certificate.

Probate:

You can obtain probate by making a personal application to the probate court. The papers can be returned by post, but you must go in person (at an agreed-upon time) to swear that the documents are accurate.

If you have any questions you would like answered, please call us on 01695 424 888 or visit our premises in Aughton or Burscough for a chat.

Please Note: All our calls are recorded.

Our funeral director service offers an individual approach for the families and friends of persons recently deceased in Ormskirk and the surrounding areas:

  • Ormskirk
  • Aughton
  • Lydiate
  • Maghull
  • Halsall
  • Scarisbrick
  • Burscough
  • Skelmersdale


Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Independent Funeral Directors Lancashire

At MLS Independent Funeral Directors, we understand how important it is to feel informed in what is a sensitive and difficult time for any family. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear. 

If your question still goes unanswered please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our independent funeral directors are on hand to answer any questions you may have.     

Independent funeral directors offer a range of professional services to help families through the process of organising a funeral. These funeral services usually include arranging the burial or cremation, providing guidance on service options such as location and funeral ceremony type, and offering various coffin or urn choices. They also assist with transporting the deceased, preparing necessary documents, and coordinating with clergy or officiants. We can ensure a respectful, peaceful and dignified farewell by performing these tasks.

Independent funeral directors often provide a more personal and tailored service compared to larger funeral chains. They are usually family-run and operate within the local area, allowing them to offer a more compassionate and understanding approach. Their smaller size often means they can accommodate specific requests and quickly adapt to family needs, offering flexibility that larger chains may be unable to provide.

Yes, independent funeral directors can assist with both burial and cremation services. They offer guidance on the options available, helping families decide which is best suited to their needs and preferences. Experienced funeral directors can organise all necessary arrangements for either option, ensuring a smooth, compassionate and respectful process while considering the wishes of the deceased and their family.

The cost of arranging a funeral with an independent funeral director can vary depending on the services chosen, location, and specific requirements. Essential services like transportation and documentation might have lower fees. However, additional elements like the perfect floral arrangements, specific coffins, or unique service requests or tributes can also increase costs. It's best to contact them directly for a detailed breakdown and tailored quote based on your individual needs.

You can pre-arrange and pay for your funeral in advance with an independent funeral director. This is often referred to as a funeral plan and allows you to make sensitive decisions about your funeral service ahead of time. By doing this, you can ensure your wishes are met and alleviate some of your loved ones' financial details and funeral planning burdens. We do all we can to make the process easier.

Independent funeral directors offer a variety of coffins and urns that perfectly suit different preferences and budgets. Options typically range from beautiful traditional wood and metal to amazing eco-friendly materials like bamboo or wicker. Urns may vary from simple designs to more personalised or decorative options, ensuring you can find something that honours the memory of your loved one in a fitting way.

Independent funeral directors support by listening to your wishes and offering recommendations to personalise the service. They can help select meaningful elements such as beautiful music, readings, and floral arrangements or organise special tributes. By understanding the preferences, desires and personalities of the deceased and their family, they can create a compassionate, memorable and unique celebration of life they deserve.

Yes, local funeral directors often offer eco-friendly or green funeral options. These may include biodegradable coffins, natural burial sites, and funeral services that minimise environmental impact. By choosing these options, families can honour their loved ones while respecting the environment, ensuring a mindful approach that aligns with eco-conscious values. Our aim at MLS Independent Funeral Directors is to ensure your loved ones feel their beliefs and stances are well-represented, even in death.

Teams of independent funeral directors are equipped to assist with all legal requirements and necessary paperwork following a death. They guide families through the process of registering the death, obtaining permits, and organising documentation for burial or cremation. This support ensures families can focus on their loved ones while handling all administrative aspects professionally.

Many independent funeral directors offer grief support or can recommend local counselling services to help families cope with their loss. While they may not provide direct counselling services themselves, they often work closely with professionals in the local area who specialise in bereavement support in a sensitive manner. At MLS Independent Funeral Directors, we are committed to connecting families to the help they need during painful times and funerals.

Contacting a funeral director member or funeral home as soon as possible after a death occurs is advisable. Early contact allows the funeral director to assist with immediate arrangements, such as transporting the deceased and starting the funeral planning process.

This support helps ensure that all necessary steps are taken care of promptly, alleviating some of the immediate stress and uncertainty for the family. Rest assured, everything is conducted with complete dignity, and all suggestions are considered. Call us today for an appointment. We pay attention to all the details and requests you make.

Independent funeral directors typically offer a range of payment plans to suit different preferences and budgets. These may include full upfront payment, instalments, or pre-paid funeral plans. Families are encouraged to discuss payment terms and paperwork directly with MLS Independent Funeral Directors to find an approach that aligns with their financial situation, ensuring a transparent and manageable solution.


30 Years