Organising the funeral

A funeral is an important part of saying goodbye so it’s crucial it meets your wishes. There’s no standard for funerals but here are some options to help you decide.

Choosing a funeral director

The hospice has a list of local funeral directors; alternatively, you can look on the internet or ask family or friends for recommendations. It’s a good idea to get an estimate of costs, as these expenses can be more than expected. If you’re on benefits, you may be able to seek help from the Social Fund. Ring the benefits agency on Freephone 0800 882200 or speak to our social workers.

Planning the funeral

Ensure you give yourself enough time to plan the ceremony. A funeral offers you and your family comfort. It is an opportunity for you all to come together. Try not to exclude your children as they can value being consulted or perhaps help to choose the music, hymns and readings.

You can contact the funeral director before or after you have registered the death. They will then arrange an appointment to see you, either at their office or your home, to advise you on how to arrange a religious or non-religious funeral. Should you wish, they can contact a member of the clergy, a religious leader or member of the Humanist Society to help you with the service.

Burial or cremation

A burial can be in a cemetery or churchyard. If you don’t already have a plot, your funeral director will advise you how to organise one. If you already have a reserved burial plot, you will have a deed or grant giving you the plot number. You’d need to take this document to your funeral director.

Unfortunately, many churchyards are no longer open for burial due to lack of space. You should check with the resident priest or minister. Alternatively, a green funeral in a woodland site or burial on private grounds can be arranged.

If you choose a cremation, you’ll need an additional form signed by two doctors. This will be arranged by the hospice and your funeral director will then collect it from us.

Following the cremation, you will be asked what you’d like to do with the ashes. There are several options: to bury them in a churchyard or cemetery; to scatter them in a Garden of Remembrance or place of your choice; to keep them in a special container. Your funeral director can provide any information you may need. There is no hurry to make this decision; you can decide sometime after the funeral.