How to Arrange a Funeral: Step-by-Step UK Guide

To arrange a funeral in the UK, you’ll need to register the death, choose a funeral director or arrange things yourself, decide between burial and cremation, and set a budget. You can then plan the service, including the date, venue, music and readings. Most funerals take place within two to three weeks of someone dying.

Arranging a funeral for someone you love can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re grieving and unsure where to begin. With so many decisions to make, it’s natural to wonder what needs to happen first and how to make sure everything is taken care of.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of arranging a funeral in the UK, helping you understand what to expect and plan a meaningful farewell that reflects your loved one’s wishes.

Key takeaways:

• Planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into simple steps can help ease the process and provide clarity during a difficult time.
• Registering the death and contacting a funeral director are the first two essential tasks—these steps set everything else in motion.
• Choosing between burial or cremation, setting a budget, and arranging the service all require thoughtful consideration, especially when preferences aren’t clearly known.
• Personal touches like music, readings, and flowers help create a meaningful tribute that reflects the life and personality of the person who has passed.
• Support is available, both emotionally and financially—from family, friends, Aura Angels, and even government assistance schemes for those struggling with funeral costs.

Step-by-step funeral planning guide

When someone dies, it can be difficult to know what needs to happen first. Understanding what to do when someone dies can help you feel a little more prepared, especially when you’re making decisions while grieving.

The timeline below gives you an idea of what to expect, followed by seven steps to help you arrange a funeral. You can also use our funeral arrangements checklist to keep track of everything along the way.

Funeral planning timeline: What happens and when?

Every family’s circumstances are different, but most funeral arrangements follow a similar timeline.

The first 24 hours

• Have the death confirmed by a medical professional.
• Find out what paperwork will be needed to register the death.
• Contact a funeral director if you need help arranging care for your loved one.
• Check whether the person who has died left any funeral wishes or a prepaid funeral plan.

During the first week

• Register the death, where possible, and obtain the necessary paperwork.
• Choose a funeral director or decide whether to arrange the funeral yourself.
• Decide between burial, cremation or direct cremation.
• Set a budget and find out how the funeral will be paid for.
• Begin discussing the date, venue and type of service.

In the following two to four weeks

• Finalise the funeral arrangements with your funeral director and venue.
• Choose music, readings and personal tributes.
• Let family and friends know the funeral details.
• Arrange a wake or gathering, if you’d like one.
• Prepare anything needed for the service, such as an order of service or photographs.

These are general timeframes rather than deadlines. Some funerals take place sooner, while others take longer, particularly if a coroner or procurator fiscal is involved.

Step 1. Confirm and register the death

The first step is to have the death confirmed by a medical professional. The process will depend on where your loved one died and whether the death was expected.

A medical professional will usually complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, unless the death needs to be investigated by a coroner or procurator fiscal. You’ll then need to register the death. This is usually required within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or eight days in Scotland, although there are exceptions.

Once the necessary paperwork is available, the funeral director can help you confirm arrangements for the burial or cremation.

Step 2. Choose a funeral director or arrange the funeral yourself

A funeral director can guide you through the arrangements, take care of the person who has died and help organise the funeral service. Your loved one may have named a preferred funeral provider in their will, funeral plan or personal notes. If not, it’s worth comparing a few options and choosing someone you feel comfortable talking to.

You might want to ask about their prices, what’s included, how they’ll care for your loved one and whether they can accommodate any particular wishes. Our guide to questions to ask a funeral director can help you prepare.

You can also arrange a funeral without a funeral director. This is sometimes called a family-led or DIY funeral. It gives you more control over the arrangements, but you’ll need to organise practical details such as transport, paperwork and care yourself.

Step 3. Decide between burial, cremation and direct cremation

Choosing the type of funeral is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. If your loved one didn’t leave clear instructions, it may help to talk things through with family members and consider what would have mattered most to them.

There are three main options to consider:

If you’re unsure which is most suitable, our comparison of cremation and burial explains the differences. A direct cremation may appeal to families who prefer a simpler arrangement or would like to hold a personal gathering afterwards.

Whatever you choose, try to consider your loved one’s wishes alongside any religious traditions, practical needs and budget. Talking openly can also help prevent disagreements over funeral arrangements.

Step 4. Set a budget and work out who will pay

Funeral costs can vary considerably, so setting a budget early can help you understand what’s affordable. Start by asking your funeral director for a clear breakdown of essential costs and optional extras, such as flowers, transport and a funeral celebrant.

It’s also worth checking whether your loved one had savings, insurance or a prepaid funeral plan. These may help cover some or all of the costs, depending on the arrangements.

Funerals are usually paid for using money from the estate of the person who has died, although there are other options if funds aren’t immediately available. Our guide on how to pay for a funeral explains what happens if you’re waiting for probate or need financial support.

Step 5. Plan the funeral service

If you’re arranging an attended funeral, the next step is to think about how you’d like the ceremony to feel. You might prefer a traditional religious service, a non-religious ceremony or a more informal celebration of life.

There are several ways to make the service personal:

• Music: Choose songs or hymns that meant something to your loved one, or that bring back special memories.
• Readings: Include poems, religious passages or other words that offer comfort or reflect the person’s life.
• The eulogy: Ask a family member, friend or celebrant to share stories and memories of your loved one.
• Order of service: Create a simple booklet showing how the ceremony will unfold, including music, readings and photographs.
• Personal touches: Display meaningful photographs, invite loved ones to contribute or include something that reflects the person’s interests.

You don’t need to include everything. A simple ceremony with a few thoughtful choices can be just as meaningful as a larger service. Your funeral director or celebrant can help you bring these elements together and guide you through the arrangements.

Step 6. Tell family and friends about the funeral

Once you’ve confirmed the funeral details, you’ll need to let people know when and where it will take place. Deciding how to announce a death to friends can feel difficult. You may prefer to contact close family and friends personally before sharing the news more widely through a message, email or social media.

You can also publish an obituary or funeral notice in a local newspaper or online. An obituary usually shares something about the person’s life, while a funeral notice focuses on the arrangements. Whichever approach you choose, try to include the information people will need, such as the date, time, venue, dress code and any wishes around flowers or charitable donations.

Step 7. Arrange the wake and think about what happens afterwards

Many families choose to hold a wake or gathering after the funeral. This gives loved ones a chance to spend time together, share memories and support one another. A wake can be as simple as tea and sandwiches at home or a larger gathering at a local venue. There’s no need to make elaborate arrangements unless that’s what you’d prefer.

After the funeral, there may still be practical matters to take care of, such as collecting ashes, arranging a memorial or managing your loved one’s estate. You may also find that grief feels different once the funeral is over and the immediate arrangements are behind you. Give yourself time and seek support if you need it.

Above all, remember that arranging a funeral isn’t about making every detail perfect. It’s about creating a farewell that honours the person you love in a way that feels right for you and your family.

Arranging a funeral for a parent: What to expect and who decides

Arranging a funeral for your mum or dad can be especially difficult when you’re grieving and trying to make decisions on their behalf. You may also be unsure who should take responsibility, particularly if several family members want to be involved.

Who decides on the funeral arrangements?

If your parent left instructions in a will, prepaid funeral plan or personal notes, these can help you understand their wishes.

If there are no clear instructions, the person with legal responsibility for arranging the funeral will usually take the lead. This is often the executor named in the will or, if there isn’t a will, a close family member who is entitled to administer the estate.

Being the eldest child or next of kin doesn’t automatically give someone the final say. If you have siblings, it’s worth discussing your parent’s wishes together and agreeing who will manage the arrangements.

What should you expect when planning your parent’s funeral?

Alongside the practical steps outlined above, you may need to:

• Check for existing wishes: Look for a funeral plan, will or notes about burial, cremation, music or other preferences.
• Agree on responsibilities: Decide who will speak to the funeral director, manage the budget and keep family members informed.
• Understand the costs: Check whether your parent left money or a funeral plan to help pay for the arrangements.
• Make personal choices: Think about the music, readings and memories that best reflect your parent’s life.
• Keep communication open: If family members have different opinions, try to focus on what your parent would have wanted.

If disagreements arise, our guidance on funeral arrangement disagreements may help you find a way forward.

You don’t have to make every decision alone. Sharing responsibilities with siblings, relatives or trusted friends can make the process feel more manageable, giving you space to remember your parent as well as organise their farewell.

Planning a funeral with Aura

Planning a funeral is never easy, but by following these steps, you can ensure that the process runs smoothly. Some people choose to plan your funeral in advance so loved ones don’t have to make difficult decisions later. Choosing a funeral plan can provide peace of mind and clarity about your wishes. If you’re interested in getting your own arrangements in place to alleviate the stress on your loved ones, Aura’s prepaid funeral plans can help.

We offer both unattended and attended direct cremation plans that cover all the necessary costs. Aura is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority so you can feel confident that your funeral plan is safe with us. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, get in touch with our friendly team.