Funeral Planning Checklist
A calm, step-by-step UK checklist to help you keep track of what needs doing when organising a funeral.
Free, no account needed. Your progress saves on this device.
What needs doing
Tick things off as you go. Every funeral is different, so do them in whatever order suits you.
- Done
- 0 of 19 steps
- Still to do
- 19
First few days
6 remainingGet the medical paperwork
The doctor, hospital or medical examiner will help provide the paperwork needed before the death can be registered. If a coroner or Procurator Fiscal is involved, the process may be different.
Register the death
Register the death and get the certificates you'll need. What you need to do, and how quickly, depends on where the person died.
Tell government departments
You may be able to use Tell Us Once to notify several government services at the same time.
Look for a will or written wishes
Check whether they left a will, funeral wishes or other instructions. These may help with decisions about the funeral and who should deal with their estate.
Check for a funeral plan or insurance
Look for a prepaid funeral plan, life insurance or other provision that could contribute towards the funeral.
Choose a funeral director, if using one
You don't have to use a funeral director. If you do, compare what's included, ask questions and get costs in writing.
Arranging the funeral
9 remainingDecide on burial or cremation
Consider any wishes they left, your family's preferences and the costs involved. Your funeral director or local burial or cremation service can explain the options.
Compare quotes and prices
Ask for an itemised written quote so you can see what's included and which services are optional. Add the figures to your budget as you get them.
Check what financial help is available
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to help towards funeral costs or bereavement support.
Agree the main arrangements
Confirm the date, time and place of the funeral, who will lead it, and the burial or cremation arrangements.
Plan the service
Think about music, readings, who might give a eulogy or tribute, photographs, the coffin where that's a choice, and whether you'd like an order of service. You don't have to include any particular elements.
Choose flowers or donations
Decide whether you'd like flowers, charitable donations, both, or neither. There isn't a right answer.
Arrange a gathering, if wanted
If you're having a wake or gathering, consider the venue, numbers, food and drink and any other costs.
Arrange transport and accessibility
Think about funeral cars or other transport, who needs to travel together, parking at the venue, and anyone who needs step-free access, seating or other help on the day.
Let family and friends know
Share the funeral details when you're ready. Include the date, time, location and any wishes about flowers, donations or dress.
After the funeral
4 remainingSettle the funeral bills
Compare final invoices with your quotes. Mark costs as paid in your budget so you can see what's outstanding.
Ashes or memorial, if relevant
If there was a cremation, decide when to collect the ashes and whether to keep, bury or scatter them. You may also want to think about a headstone, plaque or other memorial — there's no rush.
Tell banks, insurers and other organisations
Some organisations aren't covered by Tell Us Once. These can include banks, employers, private pensions, insurers, utilities and other services.
Check whether anything else needs dealing with
Depending on their circumstances, someone may need to deal with their money, property, tax and estate. Probate or confirmation may also be needed.
Roughly in order, but do what suits you. Finished steps fold away — tap Undo to bring one back.
How the checklist works
- It's interactive: tick steps off as you go and they fold away, so you can see what's left.
- If something isn't relevant, choose "Doesn't apply". Undo brings any step back.
- Progress saves automatically on this device. There's no need to create an account.
- Choose England or Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to see links to official guidance for where you are.
- Steps with a cost link to the free funeral budget planner, and the same progress shows in both places.
The checklist covers 19 common steps. It's a general guide, not legal advice — for deadlines and requirements, follow the official guidance linked for your nation.
Related guidance
- What to do when someone diesThe first practical steps in the days after a death.
- How to arrange a funeralAn explanation of the choices and who does what.
- Funeral announcement wordingExamples and a simple tool to write the wording for you.
Questions
Do I need an account to use the checklist?
No. Your progress is saved privately in your browser on this device. If you'd like to keep it on more than one device or share it with family, you can save it to a free account later.
What if a step doesn't apply to us?
Choose "Doesn't apply" and the step folds away. You can bring it back at any time with Undo.
Is the guidance different in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Some steps, like registering a death, work differently across the UK. Choose England or Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and the "Need help with this?" links point to the official guidance for that nation.
Does the checklist connect to the budget planner?
Yes. They share the same saved progress. Steps that involve a cost link to the free budget planner, and ticking a step off in one place shows in the other.
Do we have to do the steps in order?
No. They're roughly in the order things usually happen, but every funeral is different. Do what suits you.
Keeping everyone up to date
Lumaspace is being built to give families one private place to share funeral details and updates. It's coming soon.
Join the waitlist →