Guides Preparing for death

Arranging a funeral for someone you love

How to arrange a funeral

When it comes to arranging a funeral, most people start by looking for local funeral directors. But actually, you could create a far more personal memorial for a fraction of the cost with a simple, direct cremation.

Things to consider when planning your funeral wishes as an LGBTQIA+ person

Some LGBTQIA+ people will have particular wishes for what happens when they die. It’s important to make sure you communicate these to the right people, and that the right people can make decisions on your behalf.

How to write an epitaph

An epitaph is a short piece of text that goes on someone’s headstone, often alongside their name, birth date and death date. This guide will offer some guidance on writing an epitaph for a loved one, including some ideas for what you could include.

How much does a coffin cost?

This guide will explain the kinds of coffin, and how much they tend to cost, as well as the differences between coffins and caskets. It will also discuss potential alternatives to coffins, such as shrouds.

What you can prepare if someone is receiving end of life care

You can start preparing to plan the funeral, deal with finances and property, and who you need to inform.

What is aquamation? A guide to water cremation

It’s an alternative to burial and cremation that people are slowly adopting around the world. Its biggest benefit is that it’s very environmentally friendly. It requires no land space, and creates very few carbon emissions.

What to do when someone receiving end of life care dies

How to get in touch with us and what to do if your loved one dies in end of life care ('palliative care') at home, hospital, care home or hospice.

Talking about death with someone who is in end of life care

We often help people who sometimes feel unsure whether they are planning a funeral that their loved one would have wanted or they’d like to be remembered. Having conversations with the person now can be a big comfort down the line.

How to arrange a funeral for somebody who has donated their body to science

This guide will give you some ideas for holding a funeral for someone who’s decided to donate their body to science. It covers how you might hold an end-of-life event without your loved one’s body present.

How to cater for a funeral

This guide will give some practical guidance on how you could cater for different types of end-of-life events, including how to decide who is in charge and what to do if you’re on a smaller budget.

What is the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard?

The main difference is that churchyards are attached to Christian churches. Cemeteries and graveyards might not be attached to a church.

Can you legally stop someone coming to a funeral?

Generally, funerals are public events and there isn’t a way to legally ban someone. But as the organiser, you do have the right to ask a difficult relative not to come.

Funeral planning checklist

When you’re organising a funeral for someone close to you, it can feel like there’s a lot to do at an emotional time. Breaking it down into smaller tasks may help you keep track of where you are with your planning.

Memorial ideas

A memorial can be something to look at or hold, a special place you visit, a one-off event, or something you do regularly (a ritual).

GuidesPreparing for death