Guides Preparing for death

Arranging a funeral for someone you love

How to invite people to a funeral

Your loved one’s circle of friends and the size of the funeral you’re holding will influence how you notify people. It’s likely to be a mix of phone calls, emails and social media.

How long does it take to organise a funeral?

Typically it takes one to two weeks to arrange a funeral. Getting the paperwork sorted, gathering family together in one place and making choices about the service are some of the things that affect the time it takes.

Can you have a photographer at a funeral?

There’s a growing number of professional funeral photographers, and it’s perfectly fine to hire one if it feels right for you and your family.

How to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment

Here we explain how the UK government can support you if you’re struggling to pay for a funeral, with guidance on how to apply.

What happens at a Muslim funeral?

Muslim funerals are large community events. It’s common for every member of the mosque to attend, even if they did not know the person who died.

Do you have to have a funeral when someone dies?

You do not legally have to have a funeral in the UK - lots of people do not want a funeral, and that’s OK. But you do have to register the death, and either cremate or bury the body.

What happens at a Mormon funeral?

Followers of Mormonism believe that they’ll see their loved ones again in the afterlife. So although Mormon funerals tend to be serious, there’s an undertone of hope and celebration.

How to arrange a funeral yourself, without a funeral director

A funeral director is someone who specialises in arranging funerals. Arranging a funeral without one is not impossible, but it is very difficult.

Why do the cost of funerals vary?

Funerals are more expensive in some parts of the UK than others. They can also be more expensive on weekends, and at certain times of the day.

What happens at a Sikh funeral?

Sikh families usually hold funerals 3 days after the person has died. They typically follow a fairly strict format in which guests wear white and gather to pray.

What happens at a Quaker funeral?

Quaker funerals focus on quiet reflection and giving thanks. There is not usually a formal order of service. Guests will spend most of the time silently remembering the person who’s died, but anyone can speak if they wish to.

How to scatter ashes

You can scatter ashes by casting them into the wind from a scattering tube. Other options include creating a colourful garden feature or scattering the ashes at the beach and letting the tide wash them away.

How to get a death certificate in the UK

In order to get a death certificate, you need to register the death in a local register office. It’s free to register the death, but you’ll need to pay £11 for each copy of the death certificate.

What happens if I can't afford a funeral?

If you can’t afford to pay for a funeral, you may be able to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government. Other options include using the bank account of the person who died and arranging a Public Health Funeral.

GuidesPreparing for death