Arranging a funeral involves a series of decisions, most of which have no single right answer. This guide walks through them in the order they usually come up, so you can take them one at a time.
1. Check for wishes and plans
Before deciding anything, check whether the person left funeral wishes — in a will, a letter, or a pre-paid funeral plan. A pre-paid plan may already cover some or all of the costs with a specific funeral director.
2. Choose a funeral director
Ask for itemised written quotes from two or three funeral directors. A good funeral director will explain what is essential, what is optional, and let you decide without pressure. You can change funeral director if you are not comfortable.
3. Burial or cremation
Cremation is the more common choice in the UK and usually costs less than burial. Burial involves the cost of a plot and a grave deed as well as the service itself. A direct cremation — without a service at the crematorium — is the lowest-cost option.
4. The service
- Choose where: crematorium, place of worship, graveside, or another venue
- Choose who leads it: a minister, celebrant, or a family member
- Pick music, readings and hymns that feel right
- Decide on flowers, or donations to a charity instead
- Think about an order of service booklet
- Arrange transport — how many cars, if any, the family needs
5. Tell people
Once the date is set, let family and friends know the details. A funeral notice — in a paper, online, or shared directly — usually includes the date, time, place and any wishes about flowers or donations. Our free Funeral Messages tool can help you write an announcement, an invitation or a private funeral message.
6. Keep track of the costs
Funeral costs arrive from several directions — the funeral director, the crematorium or cemetery, the celebrant, flowers, notices, catering. Keeping them in one place as quotes come in makes the total much easier to manage.