How do I arrange the funeral?

• You can speak to a funeral director as soon as you feel ready.
• You do not have to wait until the death has been registered.
• However, do not feel you have to rush. Taking your time may make planning the funeral easier.
• You can find the contact details of local funeral directors in the phone book.
• You do not have to use a funeral director, although most people find this helpful. 
  
• If you wish to make some of the arrangements yourself, the Natural Death Centre can provide support and information. Find out how to contact them in the 'How to find out more' section.

How do I plan the funeral?

• It might help if you ask yourself a few questions:
• Did the person who died make any requests or leave instructions for their funeral?
• Who should be involved in planning the funeral? You could speak to family and friends about this.
• Will it be a burial or cremation? Where will it take place?
• Who will conduct the ceremony? If the person died in hospital, the Spiritual Care Team can give you advice and support, or put you in touch with representatives of religious and non-religious organisations. Ward staff can contact the Spiritual Care Team for you.
• Will you put a death notice in any newspaper? What would you like it to say?
• You can ask a funeral director for advice.

How do I know if I can afford to pay for the funeral?

• Funeral costs vary and you may wish to ask several funeral directors about the service they provide.
• Funeral directors should explain their costs and give you a written estimate.
• Before meeting the funeral director, you should try to think about how to pay for the funeral.
• Find out if the person who died:
• made arrangements to pay for their funeral – for example with a life assurance policy or a prepaid funeral plan, or
• left enough money to pay for their funeral.
• If no money is available, and you get benefits or tax credits, you may be able to apply for a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund. You should:
• ask someone at your local Jobcentre Plus if you qualify for this, or call the Department of Work and Pensions on 0845 606 0265, and
• tell the funeral director as soon as possible if you want to apply.
• If your wife, husband or civil partner has died, you may be able to apply for a benefit called a Bereavement Payment.
• You should ask someone at your local Jobcentre Plus if you qualify for this, or you can call the Department of Work and Pensions on 0845 606 0265.
• You can find out more about this benefit on the internet: go to  the Bereavement Payment section on the www.direct.gov  website.

• If no one is able to arrange and pay for the funeral, the local council may do so.

Page last edited: 23 June 2011