How to plan a funeral
Plan your funeral in advance to ease decision making and help reduce stress for your loved ones.
Key points:
- Planning your funeral in advance can help ensure your wishes are followed and things run smoothly.
- Funerals usually take place 1 to 2 weeks after someone dies, but timings can vary.
- You’ll need to decide between burial, cremation or an alternative funeral and clearly record your wishes.
- Savings or life insurance can help cover costs, and it’s important to keep others informed.
Planning your funeral in advance might feel daunting, but there’s a few reasons why it’s worth thinking about it ahead of time.
By planning ahead, you can help make a hard time easier for those you care about. A funeral plan lets your loved ones know what you want when you die and can help them avoid any unexpected costs or surprises.
How long does it take to plan a funeral?
A funeral will usually take place within a week or two after someone dies, but in some circumstances it may take longer to arrange.
Exactly how long it takes to plan a funeral can depend on a few things. Decisions about the funeral – like whether you want a burial or a cremation, or have any specific wishes – will affect how long it takes, as well as things like whether your preferred venue is available.
Early planning can help make sure things run more smoothly and take less time to arrange.
5 steps to plan your own funeral
For a lot of people, planning your own funeral can feel overwhelming and easy to keep putting off. So, it’s a good idea to make it more manageable by breaking it down into smaller steps.
Here’s five things to think about when planning your own funeral.
Burial or cremation?
The first big decision is whether you want to be buried or cremated. There’s no right or wrong choice, but it’s worth thinking about cost, location and availability. You may also be interested in an alternative funeral if a traditional funeral doesn't reflect your wishes or values.
Burials usually cost more and need a burial plot. You may be able to buy one in advance, including a plot beside a partner or a double-depth plot for two people.
Attended or unattended?
Think about whether you want friends and family to attend the burial or cremation.
You could have a traditional attended funeral or choose an unattended direct cremation and arrange a separate memorial or celebration. An unattended funeral can cost less, but the right option is the one that suits your wishes.
Make it personal
Once you’ve decided where your service or celebration will take place, you can then think about the details.
You might want to choose music, readings, flowers, clothing, a coffin or hearse, and who will write or read the eulogy. You might also want to think about whether you’d like to be laid to rest in any particular clothing or jewellery, for example if you’d like your wedding band removed or left with you.
You can also note any dress code and where you’d like people to go afterwards. Even with an unattended cremation, you might still want to think about some of these.
Think about a lasting memorial
It’s worth thinking about what you’d like to happen to your ashes or how you’d like your grave to be marked, and letting your family know your wishes.
If you’d like your ashes scattered, think about a special location and whether your family will need permission from the landowner. You don’t have to choose just one thing; your funeral director can divide up your ashes to your family if that’s your wish.
If you choose a burial, there are options to mark your grave beyond a traditional headstone. For example, you can mark a grave with trees or other natural wooden plaques. But make sure you check the rules for the location you have chosen.
Plan for the cost and keep your wishes updated
Once you’ve thought about your options and made decisions for your funeral, you can start working out the cost with our funeral cost calculator. You can work out the average price of different kinds of funerals and compare today’s prices with how much a funeral could cost in ten years’ time.
A funeral can be paid for using the money you leave behind. Or if you want to make sure there’s money to help towards the costs, you might consider taking out an Over 50s Life Insurance policy.
What else do I need to think about?
When you’ve made the big decisions, there’s a few other things you might want to consider.
Write down your wishes: Keep a written note or letter about your wishes, and share this with your family so there’s no guesses later on.
Consider donations: You might want guests to donate to a charity or a cause close to your heart.
Keep your documents safe: Make sure you store your plan and any insurance documents safely, and tell your family where they are.
Planning today for an easier tomorrow
Planning your funeral isn’t just about making decisions, it’s about giving yourself and those you care about peace of mind. By taking steps now, you can help make sure you get what you want when you die, reduce anxiety for your family, and help ease the financial burden later.
A considered plan means everything is clearer when the time comes, so those closest to you can focus on what really matters.
It can be hard to know what practical steps to take when someone dies. If someone close to you has passed away our bereavement guide could help.
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