Find a funeral director
Once you've taken care of the initial requirements following the passing of a loved one, you can start arranging a funeral for them. The first step is finding a funeral director. If you've suffered a loss in the past, you may be able to contact a funeral director that you've previously used.
Alternatively, localfuneral.co.uk can help you find an independent funeral director in your local area. Our easy-to-use service allows you to view a list of local funeral directors, learn more about each and contact your chosen funeral director(s) via telephone or enquiry form.
Respecting final wishes
Before their passing, your loved one may have left specific instructions to be carried out during their funeral service. Some people choose to include these in their Will, or to discuss them with a friend or family member before their death; whilst others might choose to leave separate documents or files specifically for their funeral. You should aim to carry out these final wishes whenever possible; doing so will make arranging the funeral much easier, with much of the difficult decisions already made.
Choosing music and flowers
If your loved one didn't leave any instructions regarding music and flowers for their funeral service, you'll need to make some decisions. Traditionally, hymns are sung at funerals, but this may not be appropriate depending on the deceased’s religious beliefs. Classical music is also common, but increasingly there has been a trend for people to choose more ‘popular’ music that is personal to them. Friends and family once sent flowers in memory of the deceased, but many choose now to collect donations for charity.
Inviting guests
On some occasions, your loved one will have left a list of close friends or relatives they wish to have invited to their funeral. In other cases, they may have left no instructions at all, in which case it is up to the family or executors to decide. Choosing and inviting guests is an important part of arranging a funeral and you'll need to consider the size of the venue, as well as the needs of those attending. You should choose to let people know as soon as possible; allowing them the time to travel or arrange time off work.
Arranging transport
There are several things that you may want to consider when arranging transport between the funeral directors and the funeral venue, from cost to personal taste. The most popular choice tends to be a hearse with a procession of limousines or private cars behind. These sometimes follow a favourite route or pass a certain landmark that was special to the deceased. There are other funeral vehicles available too and, if you're choosing something different, you may consider a vehicle that would've meant something to your loved one. Tanks and tractors are among the more unusual choices.
Organising the funeral reception
A funeral reception (sometimes known as a funeral tea or wake) is traditionally held after the funeral service. The gatherings, attended by family and friends, provide an opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one. Where the funeral service itself is an occasion for quiet reflection and a final goodbye, the funeral reception is a chance for people to share stories, memories and even photos of the person who has passed away. You may choose to extend an invitation to more people than those invited to the funeral service, allowing you to reserve the service for close family and friends.
Find a funeral director
Choosing a funeral director can be difficult, especially if you have to make a quick decision while arranging a funeral.
However, when you select a funeral director, you should make sure that the business you choose is a member of either the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) or the National Association of Funeral Directors. These are trade body organisations, which set out strict codes of practice for their members; prescribing high levels of quality and professionalism.
Often, people will use a funeral director that their family has used previously, or one that has been recommended by friends. If you don’t have experience with a specific business, the search facility on localfuneral.co.uk can help you find a funeral director nearby that offers the services that best suit you.
Once you've chosen a funeral director, you'll need the death certificate before the funeral can take place. However, you don’t need to have registered the death to begin arranging a funeral. Your first request may be that your funeral director collects the deceased from the place of death, to be kept safely until the funeral is held.
Respecting final wishes
After a loved one has passed away, you should check their Will, or any other documents they've left, to discover any final wishes they had for their funeral. These may include arrangements for location, the choice between burial or cremation, specific music or decorations they wanted and even the people who are to be invited to the service. Respecting these wishes can help with the grieving process and can help to make arranging a funeral service a truly personal occasion.
If your loved one didn't leave any final wishes, or if they can't be found, you should arrange to meet with other close relatives or friends and come to a consensus on plans for the funeral. Of course, it is important to try to keep the deceased’s best interests at heart when planning the funeral.
While you should take your time and do whatever you can to respect the wishes of your loved one, the final wishes of the deceased are the only parts of their Will which aren't legally binding. If, for financial or practical reasons, something isn't possible, the family should do what's appropriate.
Choosing music and flowers
When choosing music, the most important thing to consider is the songs that mattered most to your loved one. Whether these are tracks that they've specifically asked to have played at their funeral or you're looking to have their favourite song or pieces of music included, the aim is for the funeral service to be as personal as possible.
Many churches and crematoria have CD players or other music systems so that you can bring your own music to be played during the service. Although hymns are the traditional choice, you may not want singing during the service and, if this is the case, you should not feel pressured into it.
People often choose to decorate the venue when arranging a funeral service – crematoria or church – and your funeral director can help you arrange flowers or other decorations prior to the service. Instead of friends and family sending flowers ahead of the service, many people ask for donations to the deceased’s favourite charity.
Inviting guests
Beyond close friends and family, if you wish for the funeral to remain small or private, keep the deceased’s wishes in mind and only invite those who they would want to be at the service. You may want to consider whether they would want younger children to be present at the service itself.
When arranging a funeral and inviting guests, you should let them know the venue, time and date; as well as informing them of the dress code and any arrangements regarding the funeral tea/reception or any collection of donations. You may also choose to ask certain people to read a eulogy or tribute to your loved one and you should do this as soon as possible, to give them adequate time to prepare.
Arranging transport
The first thing you may want to think about when arranging a funeral is the method of transportation for the coffin, between the funeral director and the place of rest or crematorium. You may choose to opt for the traditional hearse or an alternative mode of transport that would mean something to the deceased. You can discuss options with your funeral director.
Most funeral directors will provide the hearse in their funeral director's services costs but be sure to inform them of any special arrangements you’d like to make. Often people will place flowers or decorations inside the vehicle, as well as choosing a special route to take on the way to the funeral service. Your funeral director can help with this during the funeral arrangements process.
Typically, close relatives will travel behind the hearse in a procession of limousines provided by the funeral director at an additional cost. If you have family with wheelchairs or disabilities, let the funeral director know in advance – most will be able to accommodate.
Organising the funeral reception
Most people organise the reception at the same time as they arrange the funeral service, with the reception generally being held immediately afterwards. Some people will cater themselves at home, baking cakes and making sandwiches, but most people organise external catering at a local hotel or pub, especially if it was a favourite of the deceased.
If your loved one planned for the reception, they may have included a list of people to invite within their final wishes. When you organise the reception, you may choose to extend the invite to more people than attended the funeral service. You may also take the opportunity to allow children to attend, if they weren't attending the main funeral service. But you shouldn't feel pressured to throw a large gathering; invite the number of people that you are comfortable with.
You can also plan for a book of condolences at the reception, where people can leave a short message of remembrance for your loved one. This can allow you to see, and remember, the happiness they brought to lots of different people throughout their life.