Guides Preparing for death

Arranging a funeral for someone you love

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.

How much does a cremation cost?

This article will break down the average costs of a cremation in the UK. It will also explain why cremations can vary in cost, how the cost of cremation compares to the cost of burial, and how a cremation could be more affordable.

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.

What can you put in a coffin for cremation?

A lot of people choose to put something special in their loved one’s coffin, but not everything’s allowed. So what can you include and what should you leave out?

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).

Can you have a tree coffin burial?

A tree pod burial means burying a body in a capsule in the earth and planting a tree above it. The idea is still in development and not available in the UK yet.

GuidesPreparing for death