How to arrange a funeral

A death certificate is a formal record of a death issued by the Registrar for Births, Deaths and Marriages. To register the death, contact your Registrar within the local authority where the death took place or contact your local funeral director for help. We also recommend making use of the Tell Us Once service when registering a death. This service allows you to report a death to most government organisations in one go. 

Do I need a death certificate to arrange a funeral?

You or your funeral director do not need the death certificate to start on funeral arrangements, however the death should be registered. But you will need a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the green form). This gives permission for a burial or an application for cremation. Your Funeral Director needs this, so that the burial or cremation can take place. It is important to note this form may be different if a cornor is involved. More information can be found on our What to do when someone dies page. 

Most funerals are arranged by a close relative or friend, with the help of a funeral director. You can also delegate tasks to close family and friends to make the process less overwhelming. People are often willing to offer support at a time of need so don’t feel like you need to go through the process alone.

Funeral costs can add up quickly and it can also be challenging to make financial decisions when coping with grief.  Understanding funeral costs can help you plan a memorable funeral without financial strain. 

Who pays for the funeral?

It’s important to understand who will pay for the funeral. Check whether your loved one had a pre-paid funeral plan or whether they had put aside any specific funds for their funeral. If not, check with the executor of the estate or the bank/ building society if they are able to release funds to pay for the funeral - this is known as a ‘grant of representation’. 

Help with funeral costs

If there are insufficient funds to pay for the funeral, there are a number of options for financial support, including funeral payment from the Social Fund, Bereavement Support Payment, Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent's Allowance. If you're unsure about your options, you can visit this government webpage for more information.

Although there are many ways to personalise the funeral service or ceremony, you will first need to decide between a burial or a cremation. The most important considerations to help guide your choice are: 

• Whether these are instructions in the will or funeral plan (although it's important to note that these instructions are not legally binding)

• The type of funeral you want

• Budget 

• Enviormental impact 

How long after a death is a funeral?

A funeral generally takes place two - three weeks after death. This provides families and funeral directors with enough time to manage the paperwork and plan the funeral. In some instances this may take longer for example:

• If a coroner's involved

• Logistical reasons, for example if a relative needs to travel

In these instances, it’s not uncommon for the burial or cremation to be delayed, with the funeral service or celebration of life planned at a later time.

Once you have decided on the type of funeral, it’s important to think about all of the little things that’ll make the service a unique celebration of your loved one’s life. Fortunately, many of these personalisations don't necessarily require a large budget. We can help you personalise the service so that it's a true reflection of your loved. Some personalisation options include: 

You may also wish to include: 

• Eulogy

• Hymns, poems and readings

• Music

• Charitable donations

We also understand that religion, beliefs and values are integral to people’s lives and are an important consideration when planning a funeral. Our team has many years of experience in dealing with different types of funerals. 

We believe that every funeral, like every person, should be completely individual. Our experienced and friendly team is here to help you go through all of your options - from arranging the funeral and conducting the service, to creating a lasting memorial. We'll also be there to take care of things on the day, so you can focus on what really matters. Read our detailed guide on personalising the funeral service or get in touch with a member of our team.