Arranging a funeral involves a few key decisions – whether to use a funeral director or manage things yourselves, what kind of service to hold, and how to pay for it. The death must be registered within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (eight in Scotland) before a funeral can go ahead. Most UK families use a funeral director, and a simple cremation service remains the most common choice.
Most of us only arrange a funeral once or twice in our lives, so it’s no surprise it feels overwhelming when it’s suddenly down to you. There’s a lot to organise, often within days, and possibly without much warning.
This guide explains what the law dictates about a death, what’s simply convention, what it’s likely to cost, and where to find support. And whether you’re arranging things for a parent or thinking ahead about your own, the steps are largely the same.
Key steps to arrange a funeral
There’s an order to planning a funeral, even if it doesn’t feel that way at the time, and a funeral director will walk you through most of it. But broadly, this is what the first few days will look like:
1. Register the death
You’ll need to do this within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (eight days in Scotland), usually in person at the register office nearest to where the death happened [3]. The registrar will give you a certificate for burial or cremation – commonly called the “green form” – which gives legal permission for the funeral to go ahead.
You’ll pass this to your funeral director, or straight to the crematorium or cemetery if you’re arranging things yourself. At the same appointment, you’ll be given a reference number for the Tell Us Once service. It saves you from having to contact each government department separately – one call or visit notifies most of them, including HMRC and the DWP, at once.
Only a registered doctor can confirm a death, and a coroner may need to be involved first if it was sudden, unexpected or unexplained, which can delay registration – though a funeral director can still help you start planning in the meantime.
2. Check for a will or funeral plan
Your parent or relative may have left instructions or already paid into a plan. It can save a surprising amount of back-and-forth later if they have.
3. Decide whether to use a funeral director
Most families do – they’ll collect and care for your parent, handle the paperwork, and liaise with the crematorium or cemetery on your behalf, which lifts a considerable burden at a difficult time. Some people choose to arrange things themselves instead, whether this might be to save money or because they’d rather be more involved. This simply means dealing with the crematorium or cemetery, and the paperwork, directly.
4. Agree the send-off, date and how to pay for it
This is where the bigger decisions come in: burial or cremation, religious or humanist, a full service or something simpler, along with when it will happen and who’s covering the cost. There’s more detail on both points further down.
Deciding on the type of funeral
- Burial – in a churchyard, cemetery or family plot. Usually the most expensive option, mainly because of the cost of the plot itself.
- Cremation – now chosen for around three in four funerals in the UK [1].
- Direct cremation – no service, no mourners, sometimes followed by a separate memorial later, but the choice is yours. It’s the fastest-growing option, at around one in five funerals [1], largely because it’s simpler and considerably cheaper.
- Natural or woodland burial – in a dedicated green site, usually without a permanent headstone.
- Religious or humanist – a faith leader can guide a religious service; a humanist celebrant can lead a non-religious one built entirely around the person’s life.
Funeral costs & how to pay
Funerals aren’t cheap, and the cost keeps climbing. A simple attended funeral now averages £3,828 across the UK, though it runs considerably higher in London and lower in Northern Ireland [1]. Add flowers, catering or a wake, and the average total passes £5,000 [1]. Direct cremation remains the cheapest route, from around £1,628 [1].
- A pre-paid funeral plan – you pay a provider now, either as a lump sum or in instalments, and they cover the costs set out in the plan when the time comes. This generally includes the funeral director’s fees, a coffin, and transport, though third-party costs – known as disbursements, such as crematorium or cemetery fees – aren’t always fully covered, so it’s worth checking exactly what’s included before buying. Since 2022, providers have had to be FCA-authorised to sell new plans, which protects your money if the firm fails.
- The estate – if your parent has savings, most banks will release funds directly to the funeral director (not to the family) once shown an invoice and death certificate, even before probate is granted. It’s worth asking the bank directly, since not all of them advertise this.
- Funeral Expenses Payment – a government grant for those receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, applied for through the DWP. It covers burial or cremation fees in full, plus up to £1,000 towards other costs such as the funeral director’s fees or a coffin [2]. Any amount paid out can be reclaimed from the estate, but it can close a genuine gap.
- Family contributions – often split between siblings or wider family, sometimes organised through a simple online collection if that’s easier than everyone chipping in separately.
Our step-by-step guide to applying for probate walks you through the whole process, from valuing the estate to getting the grant.
Preparing for a funeral & bereavement support available
Once the practical decisions are made, there’s room to make the day feel truly theirs, and increasingly, families are moving away from anything overly traditional. Music and readings can be almost anything, though it’s worth checking with the crematorium or church first for any restrictions. The order of service (the printed programme setting out readings, music and running order) helps everyone know what’s coming.
Coffins range from traditional veneer to eco-friendly options like wicker or cardboard, and increasingly, personalised designs. Transport is still most commonly a hearse and limousine, though some families now choose something more personal, like a motorcycle hearse or a horse-drawn carriage. Many ask for family flowers only, inviting other mourners to donate to a chosen charity instead. Then there’s the eulogy – a speech celebrating the person’s life, usually written and delivered by a family member or close friend, though a celebrant or funeral director can help if that feels like too much.
Letting people know is its own task too, whether through a local newspaper notice or, increasingly, online, where friends can also leave messages or donate. Afterwards, many gather for a wake – at home, a pub, or a hired venue – to share stories and support each other.
It’s worth knowing that grief often feels hardest once the funeral is over and the arranging stops. That’s entirely normal, and support is there when it does:
- Cruse Bereavement Support – national helpline and local groups
- Samaritans – someone to talk to, any time, day or night
- Your GP – can point you toward local bereavement counselling
You don’t have to manage it alone, and reaching out isn’t a sign you’re failing to cope.
Our guide to bereavement support has a fuller list of helplines, counselling services and local support groups.
Checklist for arranging a funeral
You’ve just read through all of this in detail – here it is condensed into one scannable list, to tick off or come back to later:
- Register the death (five days in England/Wales/NI, eight in Scotland)
- Locate a will or funeral plan
- Choose a funeral director, or confirm a DIY funeral
- Decide burial, cremation, or direct cremation
- Set a date and venue
- Agree how it will be paid for
- Arrange transport, flowers, and an order of service
- Write, or ask someone, to give the eulogy
- Plan the wake, if you’re having one
- Notify friends, family, and any relevant organisations
There’s no version of this that’s easy, and no need to get every detail right the first time. Funeral directors, celebrants and the charities above deal with this every day, and are usually glad to help you think it through. In the end, it’s the thought behind the send-off – not the size of it – that people remember.
Frequently asked questions on planning a funeral
How soon after a death must the funeral take place?
There's no legal time limit in the UK. Funerals typically take place one to three weeks after a death, though waits have grown longer in recent years – a 2023 industry survey found almost half of families were waiting more than three weeks, with evidence suggesting the situation hadn't significantly improved by 2024 [4]. Waiting longer is still possible, particularly if a coroner is involved.
Do I have to use a funeral director?
No. Arranging a funeral yourself (sometimes called a DIY funeral) is legal, though it means dealing with the crematorium or cemetery, transport, and paperwork directly.
Can I arrange a funeral before probate is granted?
Yes. Most banks will release funds directly to a funeral director from the deceased's account once shown a death certificate, even before probate comes through.
What if family members can't agree on the arrangements?
Legally, whoever is registering the death or acting as executor usually has the final say. Most funeral directors are experienced at helping families find common ground, so it's worth being open with them if this comes up.
What's the difference between a burial and a natural burial?
A natural or woodland burial takes place in a dedicated green site, usually in a biodegradable coffin and without a permanent headstone, for less environmental impact.
How much does a funeral cost in the UK in 2026?
A simple attended funeral averages £3,828, rising to around £5,140 once flowers, catering or a wake are included. Direct cremation is considerably cheaper, from around £1,628 [2].
What is Funeral Expenses Payment?
A government grant for people receiving certain benefits, to help with funeral costs. It covers burial or cremation fees in full, plus up to £1,000 towards other costs [2]. It's applied for through the DWP and rarely covers the full amount.
Can I choose not to have a religious service?
Yes. A humanist celebrant can lead a non-religious service focused entirely on the person's life, values and relationships.
What happens to the ashes after a cremation?
They can be scattered somewhere meaningful, buried, kept at home, divided among family members, or interred in a churchyard or memorial garden.
This article has been written using information from trusted organisations. Their guidance helps ensure the information here is accurate and reflects current UK advice and best practice.
- SunLife, 'Cost of Dying Report 2026'
- GOV.UK, 'Funeral Expenses Payment'
- GOV.UK, 'Register a death'
- National Association of Funeral Directors, 'Picking up the Pieces: Funeral delays and capacity issues' (2023)
These websites might also be helpful:
Dealing with grief | The practical side of a funeral is only ever part of it – our guide to dealing with grief covers the emotional side too, and where to find ongoing support.
