In this article we answer your questions about how to arrange a funeral.
Who is responsible for arranging a funeral?
Responsibility for organising a funeral typically falls to the “next of kin”; normally the closest living relative. However, in the UK there is no legal definition or hierarchy of “next of kin”. If the deceased person has not specifically nominated someone for this role, next of kin is usually viewed as their spouse, civil partner, adult child, parent or sibling.
You can read more about funeral planning and next of kin responsibilities here.
Does a death have to be registered before a funeral can be arranged?
No. You can contact a funeral director to start making arrangements on your behalf before the death certificate has been issued. This can prevent delays. After a person has died, their cause of death will be confirmed by a medical examiner who will then contact you to confirm you can register the death. You then need to do this within 5 days.
During the time before the death is registered, you can make provisional funeral arrangements. However, the funeral director will need a certificate for burial or cremation – also known as “the green form” – before the funeral can actually take place.
If you wish for your loved one to be cremated the green form must be sent to the crematorium along with the application for cremation. You can find guidance on cremation applications, and the necessary forms, on the Government website here.
What are the most important elements of a funeral?
The style and format of the funeral is completely up to the next of kin, based on the wishes of the person who has died. But there are certain things that have to be done in any type of funeral. These include:
- Transport of the body to the funeral director then the crematorium or burial ground;
- A suitable coffin;
- Cremation or burial of the body;
- Disposal of the ashes (if applicable) in whatever way you choose.
Your funeral director will be able to help and guide you as to the best way of organising each of the above elements in a way that feels right to you.
What do I need to do if the person who died had a funeral plan?
If the person who died had a funeral plan this will make things a lot easier for those involved in organising the funeral. Not only is everything paid for in advance, so there is no cost to you, but the funeral plan also provides a framework of the kind of funeral that the deceased person would want.
For example, a With Grace funeral plan includes:
- Advice on certification and registration;
- Nationwide collection of the person who has died;
- A suitable coffin;
- A dignified cremation with crematorium fees paid;
- Hand delivery of the ashes within 28 days;
- Specialist 24 hour a day telephone support.
If a funeral plan is in place, all you need to do is get in touch with the funeral plan provider and they will sort everything for you, which will be a tremendous help at what is already a difficult time.
If there is no funeral plan, how do I choose the best funeral director?
If your loved one did not have a funeral plan, this leaves you with a blank canvas from which to start planning a funeral. The whole experience will be much smoother and less stressful if you can find a caring funeral director to organise everything for you. However, costs can vary incredibly so you need to compare prices as well as look at reputation and reviews.
As well as looking locally, it is well worth looking online. For example, Funerals With Grace have a specialist team of funeral experts whose mission is to provide the most professional, compassionate and trusted service with absolute care and grace. You can read more here about With Grace’s funeral planning services.
What is the most cost effective type of funeral?
According to the most recent edition of the SunLife Cost of Dying Report, the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK is an estimated £4,141. However, it is possible to pay significantly less than this. For example an unattended direct cremation can cost as little as £1,140 through With Grace.
For more information about funeral costs, check out our article The Costs of a Funeral – Your Questions Answered.
What happens if there is no-one to organise a funeral?
If there is no next of kin to organise a funeral, the local council is legally required to organise a basic public health funeral. This funeral has a very limited ceremony and is paid for by the state.
For further support and guidance with any aspect of funeral planning, remember that With Grace is always here to help.
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