Arranging the funeral

Paying for a funeral

On average in the UK, a funeral will cost around £4,300 however this price can vary depending on the type of funeral chosen. If the deceased dies without a funeral plan, a relative or friend may need to pay for the funeral. They can reclaim the costs back from the estate if there are enough funds. If there are not enough funds, the estate will be insolvent. Click here to read about insolvent estates.

Often, the deceased may have already paid for their funeral or have enough funds in the estate to cover the costs from the outset. If so, the Executor of the estate will look after paying the funeral bill.

In instances where the estate, friends or relatives cannot afford the funeral, the local council or hospital can arrange a Public Health Funeral. This is typically a cremation where the time and date is decided by the local authority.

Arranging a funeral

Arranging a funeral yourself is often a more cost effective approach. However, there are a variety of considerations that need to be taken into account.

1. Care of the deceased’s body

When someone dies in a hospital or hospice, these associations will look after the body for an amount of time. Often, they will also arrange for a Medical Certificate with a cause of death.

If a person dies at home, an ambulance or doctor must be called to obtain the Medical Certificate. When the death doesn’t need to be referred to a coroner, the deceased can be cared for at home in a cool space.

2. Registration of the death

The death must be registered at a registry office within five days. In Scotland, this is extended to eight days. Without the death certificate, nothing can be arranged. Click here to find out more about registering a death. Once the death is registered, a Certificate for Burial or Cremation and a Certificate of Registrations of Death will be issued.

3. Choosing a coffin or shroud

When organising a funeral, it is not a legal requirement to use a coffin. A shroud is a suitable, affordable alternative.

4. Booking the crematorium (if appropriate)

If cremating the body, the crematorium needs to be booked. To do this, complete the form at the crematorium, usually titled the “Authority for the disposal of cremated remains”. A “funeral instruction form” may also be requested for completion.

These forms require the details of the deceased and the preferences for timings and music during the ceremony.

5. Selecting who will lead the ceremony (if appropriate)

If desired, a ceremony can be arranged for a funeral. An independent funeral celebrant is often a good choice as they are impartial and can host the service in a professional manner. If a ceremony is not desired, a direct cremation is a suitable alternative. This is where the body is cremated at a convenient time, without ceremony or mourners attending.

6. Transporting the body

Transport to the crematorium or burial ground is required for the body and a hearse is not required to do this. If needed, you can transport the coffin or shroud in an estate car or van.

What happens at a funeral?

The intricacies of what happens at a funeral vary between each person. However, what will typically happen at a funeral is:

  1. Mourners arrive at the home of the deceased. If not the home, a designated meet-up area.

  2. From here, the mourners travel with the deceased’s body in the hearse to the burial site or crematorium in one party.

  3. The funeral ceremony will take place, hosted by a family member, friend, relative or independent funeral celebrant. This is where videos and image slideshows may be played, people can share their memories and the selected music will be played.

  4. Following the ceremony, the body will be buried or cremated. If the body is being cremated, a committal service may take place at the crematorium afterwards. At a burial, the committal service typically takes place at the graveside of the deceased.

  5. After the deceased has been buried or cremated, a wake or funeral reception is held. This is typically a celebration of the deceased’s life.

Repatriation of a body for the funeral

If a death occurs abroad and it has been reported to the British Consulate in the country of the death, the police will be notified to inform the Next of Kin. The death will need to be registered in the country where the death occurred and a Death Certificate obtained.

It is not possible to register the death with the British authorities in a number of countries, including:

  • The Ascension Islands

  • Australia

  • Bermuda

  • Canada

  • Cayman Islands

  • Christmas Islands

  • Falkland Islands

  • Gibraltar

  • Irish Republic

  • Nevis

  • New Zealand

  • St Helena

  • South Africa

  • Turks & Caicos Islands

  • Virgin Islands

If the body is to be brought back to the UK for cremation, this must be reported to the local coroner as they need to issue a Certificate for Cremation.

Often, families and friends wish to bring the body back to the UK. British Consular staff can support by introducing an international funeral director. The body will need to be embalmed and placed in a zinc-lined coffin before leaving the country of death. This process can slow down the funeral proceedings.

The following documents are required when bringing a body back to the UK:

  • A certified English translation of the foreign death certificate (if applicable) for the country in which the death occurred

  • Authorisation to remove the body from the country

  • A certificate of embalming

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