Planning a funeral
Planning a funeral can be an upsetting, stressful and potentially costly experience – especially if, as is often the case, you are making the arrangements for a loved one who has recently died. Many people die without making their preferences clear – for burial or cremation, for example, or what songs they want played at their funeral– so for those left behind there can be additional worry over whether the arrangements are what the deceased would have wanted.
With advance planning, arranging a funeral can be inexpensive and relatively stress free. The following links will provide you with information and advice on what to do.
Direct Gov:
This is the official government web site for UK citizens. There is useful information on dealing with a death including advice on funeral options, using a funeral director, and how to apply for help covering funeral costs if you are a recipient of tax credit.
Funeral Directors
Most people arrange funerals through a local funeral director. Details of funeral directors can be found online and in the telephone directory but it is important to ensure that the Director you choose belongs to one of the two UK trade associations for funeral directors:
- National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors: www.saif.org.uk
- National Association of Funeral Directors: www.nafd.org.uk
There is no obligation to use a funeral director, however, and you can organize a funeral yourself if you wish. If this appeals, the Natural Death Centre can provide information and advice.
- Natural Death Centre: www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Other useful sources of information and advice on organizing a funeral include:
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We have nearly 17,000 members so far, and are actively enlisting those that are committed to supporting changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours around death and dying.
Awareness Week Events
There are hundreds of Dying Matters Awareness Week events going on nationwide. View them here, or publicise your own.
