Arranging a Funeral
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How to Arrange a Funeral
We know that planning a funeral is never an easy experience, so it's good to know there's someone to turn to for support. On this page you'll find expert advice on planning a funeral, including where to start, choosing a funeral director, managing funeral costs, and more.
In This Guide
Step One: Obtain Your Death Certificate
Step Two: Decide Who Will Arrange the Funeral
Step Three: Understanding Funeral Costs
Step Four: Understanding Funeral Types
Step One:
Obtain Your Death Certificate
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.
Who Can Register a Death?
The documents you need to take with you to register a death.
Do I Need a Dead 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, and you will need a Certificate for Burial or Cremation. 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 coroner is involved. For more information, please visit our 'What To Do When Someone Dies' page.
Step Two:
Decide Who Will Arrange the Funeral
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.
Planning Your Own Funeral?
It's possible to start planning your own funeral as early as you would like. It can be helpful and comforting to know that funeral plans are in place, especially if it makes practical sense to be involved in the planning process, or if you'd like to have your say on the personalisation of your funeral.
Choosing a Funeral Director
A funeral director can help you with every step of the funeral planning process, from taking care of the deceased to arranging the actual funeral service. When choosing a Funeral Director, make sure they're part of either the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). These professional associations ensure that high standards of care are provided.
Step Three:
Understanding Funeral costs
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 or building society, to see if they are able to release funds to pay for the funeral - this is known as a ‘grant of representation’.
Managing Funeral Costs
There are lots of different costs to consider when planning a funeral.
To manage costs, it’s important to be aware of what's essential and what's optional, what services are included in various funeral packages, and the costs associated with different funeral types. If you decide to use one of our local Funeral Directors, there are different options to suit different budgets and preferences. Fees are discussed up front to give you total peace of mind.
Help with funeral costs
If there are insufficient funds to pay for the funeral, several options are available for financial support, including funeral payments 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.
Step Four:
Understanding Funeral Types
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
- Environmental impact
Whether you choose a burial or cremation, there are various types of funerals to consider, ranging from a simple celebration to a traditional service with additional extras available. Your Funeral Arranger can guide you through the main differences, or you can read more about burials and cremations here.
Types of Funeral Service Include:
Unattended Funerals
This is a type of funeral where there's no ceremony or service, these funerals are simple and cost-effective. Unattended funerals are often chosen if there’s a preference to hold a wake or celebration of life at home or at a later date in place of a more formal or religious funeral service at the burial ground or crematorium.
Attended Funerals
This is a type of funeral where there’s a ceremony or service with friends and family, as well as the burial or cremation. This is the most popular type of funeral as you have the option to personalise the ceremony and can accommodate large or more intimate groups.
How Long After a Death Does a Funeral Take Place?
A funeral generally takes place two to 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 is 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.
Step Five:
Personalise the Funeral Service
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 one. Some personalisation options include:
Floral Tributes
We'll talk you through the options and help you choose the perfect flowers for the day of the funeral.
Memorials & Gravestones
Our Funeral Arrangers will work with you to help you create a memorial as unique as your loved one.
Order of Service
We have a number of classic, floral and religious designs to choose from, or we can create an entirely bespoke set of stationery that includes photographs of your loved one.
Funeral Cars & Hearses
You may also wish to include:
- A 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.
Multicultural, Religious & Non-Religious Funerals
Green and Woodland funerals
Green funerals are becoming increasingly popular with those who wish to be laid to rest in natural environments such as woodland, or are looking for a more environmentally-friendly alternative to a traditional funeral.
We believe that every funeral, like every person, should be completely individual. Our experienced and friendly team is here to guide you 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.
Step Six:
After the Funeral
After the funeral service, it’s common to ask, ‘What happens next?’ We've highlighted below some key considerations for the days, weeks, and months following the funeral.
- If you need someone to talk to, we can help you find bereavement support services.
- Dealing with any necessary paperwork.
- Considering how you'd like to remember your loved one. You can choose to keep some of their ashes in a casket or urn, or have some made into a piece of jewellery.
- We can also help you create a lasting memorial to mark their final resting place.
Terms and conditions apply to funeral plans – please ask for details. There is an additional cost for paying by instalments over two or more years. Eligibility criteria applies. Please refer to the Instalment Q&A and the Terms and Conditions for more information. We can provide you with a personalised quote.
East of England Co-op Funeral Services which is a trading name of East of England Co-operative Society Limited, Wherstead Park, The Street, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2BJ Reg. No. 1099R is an Appointed Representative of Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited Reg. No. 2644860, registered in England at Benefact House, 2000 Pioneer Avenue, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4AW, UK, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 958152. The Financial Conduct Authority regulates pre-paid funeral plans only.
