Guides Preparing for death

Celebrating the life of someone who’s died

Come together in person, share together online

If you're looking to celebrate a loved one or organise a service, online tools can help make the process simpler, faster and more collaborative. We put together a list of the online memorial spaces and planning hubs we’d recommend to you and your family.

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 scatter ashes in a fireworks display

Scattering ashes using fireworks can be a special memorial, but you need to work with a professional fireworks company that can help you do it in a way that’s safe and legal.

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.

What to wear to a funeral

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about what to wear to a funeral: from traditional ceremonies to more modern celebration of life events. It includes advice on what to do if you’re unable to meet the dress code.

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.

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.

What to do with ashes

Traditionally, people tend to either scatter their loved one’s ashes or keep them in a special container called an urn. But with cremations becoming more and more popular in the UK, there are now lots of different options for a unique send-off.

What happens at a Buddhist funeral?

Buddhist monks often lead Buddhist funerals. They take place at a Buddhist temple or the family’s home.

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 plan a memorial service

This article will explain how a memorial service is different to other types of end-of-life events, and how you might plan a memorial service for a loved one.

Can you get a cremation tattoo?

Tattoos with ashes blended into the ink are a new trend in a long tradition of memorial body art. Only a few tattoo studios in the UK offer it at the moment - but it’s growing in popularity.

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.

GuidesPreparing for death