It can be a traumatic and confusing time after someone dies and difficult to know what you need to do first. Decisions can often be more easily made if you have talked about the funeral wishes of both the person who has died and those who will grieve their loss.

Although they are never easy conversations, talking about what you want at the end of your life and what those who love you will need, can be really important and can save distress and uncertainty later. Funeral directors are there to support and guide you, whether you are planning a funeral in advance or you need to arrange a funeral because someone has died.

What kinds of funeral can be arranged?

In the UK, at present, you can choose to be buried or cremated. According to data from the Cremation Society, almost 80 percent of  UK citizens choose to be cremated with the remaining 20 percent choosing burial, although there are some variances in the four UK nations. 

How you choose to arrange the burial or cremation comes down to individual choice. For example, you may wish to arrange:

  • a traditional funeral service, following faith or belief customs, in a place of worship
  • a civil or Humanist ceremony, in the crematorium chapel or at another location
  • a service at the graveside in a cemetery or a natural burial ground

or you may have chosen an unattended (often known as ‘direct’) cremation, where there is no funeral service and the body is simply taken from the place of death, cremated without mourners present, and the ashes returned to the person who has arranged the funeral, if requested.

Whatever you decide, there are many options that can be chosen to make sure the funeral both reflects the wishes of the person who has died and meets the needs of the bereaved family who are grieving their loss.

A big part of the role of a funeral director is to support bereaved people as they navigate their way through these choices, to ensure the funeral arrangements are right for the person who has died and for the family too.

Who is entitled to make funeral arrangements?

The rules governing who is entitled to arrange a funeral can often be at odds with the expectations of relatives and friends who have lost loved ones. At a time when emotions often run high, this guidance is designed to help you understand whether you are entitled to arrange a particular funeral service – and avoid any disputes arising.

Below you will find links to information leaflets for England and Wales, and for Scotland. At the present time we are not able to provide guidance for Northern Ireland but are working to address this as quickly as possible.

Downloadable
guides

Things to think about

There are many things to think about when arranging a funeral, which is why most people turn to an experienced funeral director to help them. They can support you in completing all of the paperwork necessary to register the death and can talk you through all of the options for a funeral, to enable you to make an informed decision.

  • Do you know if the person wished to be buried or cremated?
  • Did they have any other specific funeral wishes?
  • Where will the funeral take place?
  • Will there be a faith-led or secular funeral service?
  • Who is invited to attend – and how will you let them know of the arrangements?
  • What type of coffin or casket will you choose?
  • What kind of funeral vehicle(s) would you like?
  • Will you involve music or readings in the service?
  • Would you like to invite someone to speak (give a eulogy)?
  • Would you like to put anything special inside the coffin or casket with the person that has died? (if you are choosing a cremation, this will be limited – your funeral director can advise you)
  • Should the service be livestreamed/broadcast for anyone that is not able to be there in person?
  • What will happen after the service? Will there be a reception?
  • Would you like to commemorate the person that has died with a headstone, or an event – such as a memorial service or the scattering of ashes?

Help with funeral costs

There are a number of different schemes and grants available to help if you are unable to pay the costs of a funeral.

Funeral Expenses or Support Payments

If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you could be entitled to a Funeral Expenses Payment from the Social Fund (known as a Funeral Support Payment in Scotland).

Your eligibility will depend on the benefits you receive and other financial resources available to you, not including any personal savings. You must also be the partner, parent or guardian, or otherwise responsible for the payment of the funeral.

Any funds still held in the estate of the person that has died that could be used to pay for the funeral will be considered as part of the means-testing process. These funds include funeral plans, insurance policies, bank and building society accounts.

The Children’s Funeral Fund (England)

The Children’s Funeral Fund for England can help to pay for some of the costs of a funeral for a child under 18 or a baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy.

It is not means-tested – what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect the payment you receive. The burial or cremation must take place in England.

Visit the UK Government website for more information: Support for child funeral costs (Children’s Funeral Fund for England) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Help with child funeral costs (Wales)

Families in Wales that have registered the loss of a child under the age of 18 are entitled to receive £500 as a contribution towards the funeral and other related costs. Burial and cremation fees will also be waived.

Visit the Welsh Government website for more information: Child funeral and other related costs: information [HTML] | GOV.WALES

Burials and cremation fees for children’s funerals (Scotland)

Local councils in Scotland do not charge a burial or cremation fee when a child has died. This applies to all children under 18 years old, including babies where they’ve been stillborn. Families should contact their local council for more information.

Burial and cremation fees for children’s funerals (Northern Ireland)

While there is no nationwide scheme for children’s funerals in Northern Ireland, some local authorities waive part of the burial or cremation fee for the funeral of a child. Please check with your local council for arrangements in your local area.

Budgeting Loans

Budgeting Loans are small, interest-free loans that are repaid directly from your benefits. Your eligibility is dependent on whether you or your partner have been receiving one of the below benefits for the past 26 weeks:

Veterans

If the person who died was receiving a War Disablement Pension or died as a result of serving in HM Forces, Veterans UK can contribute to the cost of a simple funeral.

To check eligibility criteria, visit Veterans UK or call their dedicated bereavement line on 0800 1693458.

Additional support and information

The NAFD has prepared a booklet designed to provide practical details and point you in the direction of those who are trained to help and provide support at a time when you need it most. While there are certain things that must be handled quickly, try and go at your own speed.

Download our
Bereavement Guide

bereavement-guide

Please note, until all restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted in the UK, there may be some aspects of this booklet which have changed temporarily as a result of Coronavirus laws or guidance. Your funeral director will be able to answer any questions you may have.