While there are some unavoidable external factors that can impact on the length of time it takes to organise a funeral, it's possible to organise a funeral quickly if you're flexible.
Your funeral director
The first port of call for any family looking to arrange a funeral at short-notice is your local funeral director.
Finding a funeral director that's right for you, and close at hand, is one of the most important parts of organising a funeral. When a loved one passes, especially unexpectedly, searching for an appropriate funeral director can be the last thing you want to do.
However, localfuneral.co.uk can help you to find funeral directors in your area quickly and easily. This leaves you with more time to think about the other aspects of the funeral service.
With localfuneral.co.uk, finding a funeral director that suits you is a simple three step process:
Enter your town, city or postcode into the search box to find independent funeral directors near you.
View a list of local funeral directors, learn more about each and decide who you'd like to contact to discuss your requirements.
Contact your chosen funeral director(s) via telephone or enquiry form.
Cremation and burial
One of the most difficult funeral arrangements to schedule is the crematorium or place of burial. The sooner this element of the funeral is scheduled, the quicker the other aspects can be organised.
There are often waiting periods at local cemeteries and crematoriums. Being flexible about the time of day you can hold the service and even considering facilities in other areas may allow you to cut the time you need to wait.
Your funeral director will not only help you take care of the organisational side of the funeral itself, but also help you schedule a slot with the crematorium or place of burial and provide information on alternative options.
In the case of religious funerals, there can also be waiting times at your place of worship. It's important to get in contact with your local mosque, synagogue, church or other religious venue as soon as possible to check availability and secure the soonest time possible for the service.
Choosing a celebrant
Choosing an officiant or celebrant to hold a funeral at short notice can sometimes be tricky, as some may have already been booked in advance.
Choice may be limited in the case of religious funerals, but there are no rules on who can officiate at a funeral. This means it anyone can conduct a funeral service in the UK, so it's possible for a family member or a friend to conduct the service themselves if desired. If this seems like too much of a challenge at such a difficult time, your funeral director will be able to provide information on alternative celebrants who work in your local area.
Most people usually choose to have the funeral service led by individuals with experience in conducting religious, humanist or civil services. This means considering their schedule and matching their availability with times available at the cemetery or crematorium.
The availability of facilities such as the crematorium or graveyard for a burial can also lead to delays, as waiting times in some areas can be up to three weeks. The length of time required to book a crematorium slot is particularly dependent on location; the number of crematoriums in your local area can vary and in areas with less capacity, waiting times are generally longer.
The time of year may also have an impact, with public holidays sometimes causing delays.
Official paperwork
Regardless of how quickly you want to hold a funeral, you must have the necessary documentation. The first thing you need is the death certificate, which you can obtain from a registrar's office. You'll need to make an appointment with your local registrar as soon as possible after the death (within five days by law in England).
With the death certificate you'll also receive a second document, which is required to hold a funeral. This is the certificate of burial or cremation and certifies that you have permission to have your loved one cremated or buried.
Without a certificate of burial or cremation, it's not possible to hold a burial or cremation and it must be passed to the crematorium or burial authority. Your funeral director will take care of this for you.
Direct cremation
Some people may find that a direct cremation is the easiest way to hold a funeral at short notice.
With a direct cremation, the deceased is taken directly from the place of death to the crematorium, without a viewing, a funeral service or family in attendance. There are no arrangements to be made beyond those with the funeral director and securing the correct paperwork is in order.
Without the pressure of a funeral service, family and friends are free to plan a more personalised memorial service, in a place and at a time that suits everyone involved.
Friends and family
The final factor determining the timing of a funeral is the availability of the family and friends of the deceased. It may be difficult for family and friends to attend the service at short notice, so it may be necessary to weigh up how important it is to have people in attendance versus your desire to hold the funeral quickly.
In some cases, time needs to be allowed for travel, often overseas, and to give people the opportunity to arrange time off work. It can help to let people know a rough date as soon as possible, even if an official date is still be arranged. This allows loved ones to begin making their plans for attending the funeral.
Taking into account all of the factors involved in organising a funeral, from getting official documentation to scheduling time for officials and facilities, the average funeral is usually held between 13 and 16 days after a death.
One of the best ways to save time when organising a funeral is to plan ahead. Although the exact time of any death is never known, having a funeral director in place and a clear understanding of the deceased’s final wishes can simplify and speed up the process.