Organising a funeral can feel incredibly overwhelming, particularly at such a time when your emotions will be all over the place and grief will be setting in. We have put together this step-by-step guide to help you navigate through this difficult time. There is nothing worse than having to make difficult decisions so quickly after losing a lov
Step 1- Immediate Arrangements
After a loved one has passed there are a few legal things that need to be done, including filing for a medical certificate of death. If the death occurs in a hospital or care home, staff will take care of these immediate legalities for you. If the death happens at home, the family GP will need to be informed, or the emergency services.
Once the death is confirmed, the next of kin and close family members will be notified. Don’t be afraid to call upon friends an
Step 2- Register The Death
In the UK, registering the death is a legal requirement, just like registering a birth. This must happen within the first five days of the death, and can usually be carried out at the local Registry Office by a relative of the deceased. You will need to take the following documents with you:
● The medical certificate of the death
● The deceased’s birth certificate (if you have it)
● Their marriage certificate (if applicable)
● NHS medical card (if you have it)
Once you have registered the death, you will receive a death certificate which will allow you to gain access to their finances and manage their probate too. You can request additional copies of the death certificate should you wish.
Step 3- Choose A Funeral Director
The next big decision to make is whether you want to organise the funeral yourself or appoint a funeral director to take care of things for you.
A professional funeral director will be incredibly experienced in handling everything and will be there to guide you through each step. Whether you would like the funeral to be traditional or non-religious, a funeral director like ourselves will help you celebrate your loved one in a way that they would have wanted. Help will be on hand when it comes to paperwork, selecting burial or cremation, and even arranging memorial services too.
If you choose to organise the funeral yourself, this will require a greater level of planning and organisation. While it can help to save costs, you may find yourself under greater pressure as everything will be down to you to get right.
Step 4- Decide On A Burial Or Cremation
There are lots of different reasons why people opt for burial over cremations, and the choice is often influenced by religious factors and cultural traditions. If there is not much of a budget, this can also play a huge factor in whether a burial or cremation is chosen. Ideally you would want to discuss this with the deceased while they are alive, but of course that isn’t always practical.
For a traditional burial, you will need to arrange a cemetery plot, in either a private or public cemetery. For a cremation, many funeral homes are closely linked with a local crematorium which can make the process a little easier. Ashes can be stored in an urn or scattered in a meaningful location after the cremation.
Step 5- Plan The Funeral Service
The funeral service itself is very personal to the deceased, and is an opportunity to celebrate their life along with close family and friends. The service can be held at various locations including a church, funeral home chapel, crematorium, or even an outdoor space. When choosing a location consider seating capacity and accessibility for less mobile mourners.
An officiant will need to be appointed to lead the service, and doesn’t always have to be a religious leader - you can choose a family member depending on the type of ceremony. If the deceased was not religious, a celebrant may be a better choice as they can provide a more personalised service.
Readings, music and flowers are also things to consider when organising the funeral service. Think about any favourite readings or poems that may have held significance for the deceased. Family members or friends can also be invited to do readings which can add a really lovely personal touch.
An eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that is given at a funeral to help commemorate someone’s life. It is an opportunity to share memories and stories of the deceased, capturing their legacy. Allowing several people to share short tributes can help to create a much fuller picture of the deceased’s life.
Step 6- Arrange Transport
Transportation is another thing to add to your list when organising a funeral. A hearse is traditionally used to transport the coffin to the service, with family members usually following in limousines and cars. If family and friends are travelling from afar to attend the service, provide clear instructions on how to get there as well as parking arrangements too. Some funeral homes are offering live streaming services after COVID-19, allowing people to participate no matter where they are in the world.
Step 7- Consider A Reception / Wake
After the funeral service, most people tend to hold a reception or wake as there is little time to console family and friends during the service itself. They provide an opportunity for guests to share memories, offer condolences and support one another. Usually wakes are held at a location that is quite close to where the funeral service takes place, so less travel is required. It depends entirely upon your preferences as to the type of reception or wake you hold. Some are held at family homes, community halls, and even local pubs. We can help arrange funeral catering services if you require them too.
Step 8- Managing Finances & The Estate
Organising the funeral involves quite a lot of costs, depending on the options you choose. For example, a cremation tends to be cheaper than a burial as there is no burial plot to purchase and the body doesn’t require embalming to help preserve it. Many people in the UK have funeral plans or life insurance which can both help to cover some, if not all, of the funeral costs involved.
You will also need to notify banks, insurance companies and government agencies to finalise any outstanding affairs. There is a service on the gov.uk website called ‘Tell Us Once’ which helps to condense this process, notifying multiple government agencies in one go. This really helps to take the pressure off loved ones dealing with the aftermath of the death.
Seeking Support
Remember once the funeral service has taken part, grief won’t simply stop. Make sure you keep talking to family and friends for support, and reach out to external support groups or professional help if you are struggling. Funeral directors such as ourselves can also refer you to helpful bereavement resources, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Organising a funeral can seem challenging, but with the right people around you it can be broken down into manageable steps. If you would like help with any steps in the process, please do get in touch with the friendly team at Jason Threadgold Funeral Directors who are available 24/7 to support you through this challenging time.
