How to Plan a Funeral in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide & Costs

Planning a funeral while you’re grieving can feel overwhelming. There are legal steps, choices and costs — often within days. In the UK you’ll usually need to register the death within 5 days (8 in Scotland), decide on burial or cremation, and choose whether to use a funeral director or arrange it yourself. If money is tight, knowing what help exists and how to keep things simple and dignified isn’t obvious.

This step‑by‑step guide sets out what to do, when to do it, and what it’s likely to cost. It’s UK‑specific and plain‑English, with tips to reduce costs — including direct cremation — plus links to official guidance and financial support if you’re eligible.

You’ll learn how to confirm a death and get the medical certificate, register and use Tell Us Once, check a will or any pre‑paid plan, choose between burial, cremation, direct and green options, appoint a funeral director or go DIY, complete paperwork, plan a ceremony or alternatives, set a budget and pay, book dates, understand timelines and delays — with a practical checklist.

Step 1. Confirm the death and get the medical certificate

Before you register a death, a doctor must confirm it and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, step one is getting this certificate. If the person died at home and it was expected, contact their GP; if sudden or unexplained, call 999. In a hospital or care setting, staff arrange confirmation and tell you how to collect the MCCD. Where a death is unexpected, violent or unclear, it may be reported to the coroner and you must wait for their paperwork before registering or booking the funeral.

Step 2. Register the death and order death certificates

Once you have the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), book an appointment to register the death at the local register office in the area where the person died. This is usually within 5 days (8 in Scotland). If the death has been reported to a coroner, you must wait for their clearance before registration. This step is essential when learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, as you’ll need the registrar’s paperwork to proceed.

At the appointment, the registrar will usually:

• Record the death and issue the official death certificate.
• Provide the paperwork needed to proceed with a burial or cremation.
• Offer a Tell Us Once reference (where available) for notifying government departments.
• Let you order certified copies of the death certificate for banks, insurers and probate — consider getting several to avoid delays.

Bring the MCCD and any personal details the registrar asks for when you book.

Step 3. Inform government and organisations (Tell Us Once)

Once the death is registered, use the Tell Us Once service to notify the relevant government departments in one go. You’ll usually be given a Tell Us Once reference by the registrar to start the process. If you can’t use it, you’ll need to contact departments yourself. When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, remember you must still tell organisations outside government, so start these calls early to avoid delays and admin issues.

• Employer and private pension provider
• Banks/building societies
• Utility companies (energy, water, telecoms)

Step 4. Check wishes, will and any pre-paid funeral plan

Before booking anything, pause to check the person’s wishes. In the UK, funeral instructions in a will aren’t legally binding, but they’re usually followed; the executor decides what’s practical and affordable. When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, also look for any pre‑paid funeral plan or life insurance, and ask local funeral directors if a plan exists in their records. Clear wishes and funding arrangements help avoid disputes and unnecessary costs.

• Locate documents: Will, letter of wishes, any funeral plan paperwork and policy details.
• Confirm preferences: Faith or non‑religious, burial or cremation, venue ideas, music/readings.
• Activate plans: Contact the named provider/funeral director to understand what’s covered and next steps.

Step 5. Decide on the type of funeral: burial, cremation, direct cremation and green options

Choosing the type of funeral sets the tone, timeline and budget. When thinking about how to plan a funeral in the UK, weigh the person’s wishes, any faith requirements, your budget, and whether you want a ceremony now or a memorial later. Your choice also affects paperwork and venue availability, so decide early before you book anything else.

• Burial: Involves a cemetery or churchyard, a grave purchase/interment fee and usually a memorial later. It may suit religious requirements. Check local availability and costs with the council or burial ground.
• Cremation: A service can be held at a crematorium or elsewhere beforehand. You’ll need specific cremation forms later and to decide about ashes (scatter, keep or inter). Speak to the crematorium about any restrictions.
• Direct cremation (no ceremony): An unattended cremation with ashes returned or scattered on your behalf. Often simpler and lower cost, with freedom to hold a personal memorial later in a place meaningful to you.
• Green options: Natural burial in a woodland or using eco‑friendly coffins (for example cardboard, wool or willow) and avoiding embalming. If choosing cremation, check any rules on materials or paints because of air‑quality regulations.

Step 6. Choose a funeral director or arrange the funeral yourself

Most families appoint a funeral director, but you can organise everything yourself. As you plan a funeral in the UK, if you hire one, look for membership of the National Association of Funeral Directors or SAIF (both have codes of practice), and compare the legally required price lists. Get a written estimate and check what’s included. Some councils run simple funerals with local firms. If you want a simpler route, a direct cremation provider can arrange an unattended cremation and return the ashes.

• Clarify inclusions: paperwork, care of the person, transport, coffin, and third‑party fees.
• Check extras and timings: disbursements, potential add‑ons, and who will keep you updated.

Step 7. Arrange care of the person who has died and transport

Once you’ve chosen the type of funeral and who’s helping, arrange collection and care. If you use a funeral director or a direct cremation provider, they’ll move the person from the hospital, hospice or home and look after them until the funeral; embalming is optional and often omitted for simple or green choices. If a coroner is involved, you may need to wait for release. Tell your provider about any implanted medical devices, as these may need removal before cremation.

• Agree the transfer: who will collect, from where, and expected timing (many services operate 24/7).
• Care and presentation: washing and preparation; confirm clothing and personal effects you’d like returned.
• Coffin choice: confirm a simple or eco-friendly option if keeping costs and impact low.
• Transport on the day: hearse or a simple private transfer (for direct cremation there’s no cortege).
• Ashes arrangements: return to family or respectful scatter by the crematorium/provider.

Step 8. Complete the paperwork and permits for burial or cremation

Paperwork underpins everything that follows, so build this step into your timeline when learning how to plan a funeral in the UK. Once the death is registered, you’ll receive the registrar’s paperwork to proceed. If a coroner is involved, you must wait for their documents. Cremations require specific application forms (which vary by where the death occurred) and may involve medical certificates and fees — your council or crematorium will advise.

• Registrar or coroner documents: Clearance to proceed with burial or cremation.
• Cremation application and medical certificates: Obtain, complete and submit to the crematorium.
• Burial arrangements: Confirm a grave purchase/rights and the cemetery or churchyard booking paperwork.
• Authority to arrange: Proof you’re the executor or next of kin, plus photo ID if requested.
• Ashes instructions: Written consent for return, interment or scatter, so everyone is clear.
• Who files the forms: A funeral director or direct cremation provider usually submits these; DIY arrangers should check deadlines and submission addresses with the council/crematorium.

Step 9. Plan the ceremony (or alternatives) and personal touches

When you plan the ceremony, or decide on alternatives, focus on what feels right for the person and your budget. When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, choose who will lead it (faith leader, civil celebrant or you), the location, and how people can take part. Most crematoria now offer live‑streaming for those who can’t attend.

• Venues: crematorium or graveside, place of worship, home/community space.
• Music/readings: meaningful choices; confirm formats; no performance licence needed.
• Personal touches: favourite colours, photos, items on the coffin.
• Alternatives: direct cremation now, memorial or ashes ceremony later.

Step 10. Work out the costs and set a budget

This is the moment to get practical and prevent overspending. When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, ask for written estimates, compare the legally required funeral director price lists, and set a clear ceiling. Keep a small contingency for unavoidable third‑party fees and only approve extras that genuinely matter.

• Core funeral director fees: care of the person, transfer, basic coffin, and professional services (price list must be published).
• Disbursements/third‑party costs: crematorium or cemetery fees, minister/celebrant, required medical certificates for cremation, burial plot purchase and interment fees, any newspaper announcement.
• Optional extras: embalming, limousines, viewing, flowers, venue hire and catering, orders of service, upgraded coffin, urns, memorial/headstone later, ashes delivery.
• Ways to save: choose a simple or eco‑friendly coffin, skip embalming, handle flowers/printing yourself, keep vehicles to a minimum, consider an unattended direct cremation and hold a personal memorial later.

Confirm in writing what’s included, who pays disbursements and when, and stick to your agreed budget.

Step 11. Decide how you’ll pay: estate, insurance and other options

With your budget set, decide how the funeral will be funded. If you arrange the funeral, you’re responsible for the bill, but you can usually reclaim from the estate. As you learn how to plan a funeral in the UK, remember banks can pay the funeral invoice directly from the person’s account even if it’s frozen; wider access to funds may require a grant of representation (probate).

• Pre‑paid plan or insurance: Check for a funeral plan or life policy and contact the provider to activate cover.
• From the estate: Ask the bank to settle the funeral director’s final invoice from the deceased’s account; beyond that, probate may be needed.
• You, family or friends: Pay upfront and keep receipts to claim back from the estate later if funds allow.
• Payment timing: Some funeral directors allow payment once the estate is released — agree this, and any disbursements, in writing.

Step 12. Get help with funeral costs if you’re eligible

If money is tight, build financial help into how to plan a funeral in the UK. There’s targeted support for essential costs, but most schemes won’t cover optional extras. Check eligibility early and apply quickly, as some help has strict timelines and may need evidence of your relationship and responsibility for the funeral.

• Funeral Expenses Payment: If you’re on certain benefits, apply within 6 months; it helps with essential burial/cremation and required medical fees.
• Children’s Funeral Fund (England): Covers core cremation/burial costs for a child under 18 or stillborn after 24 weeks; not means‑tested.
• Veterans UK support: Possible help towards a simple funeral if the person received a war disablement pension.
• Budgeting help: Budgeting Loan (or Budgeting Advance on Universal Credit) can assist with travel or modest related costs.
• Public health funeral: If no one can arrange or pay, the council/health authority may organise a simple funeral.

Step 13. Set the date and book the crematorium, cemetery and suppliers

Once you have the registrar’s paperwork or coroner’s clearance, set a realistic date and start booking. For cremation, confirm the crematorium slot and required forms; for burial, check grave availability and fees with the cemetery. If you choose a direct cremation, your provider will book an unattended slot and return or scatter ashes so you can hold a memorial later. As you learn how to plan a funeral in the UK, lock in essentials first and keep everything in writing.

• Crematorium/cemetery: chapel or graveside time, length of service, webcast options.
• Faith leader/celebrant: availability, fees, draft running order.
• Funeral director/provider: transport, bearers, coffin choice, ashes instructions.
• Venue and catering (wake): capacity, accessibility, timings.
• Suppliers: flowers, printing/music, any livestream.
• Travel/security: limousines, parking; avoid sharing home addresses in public notices.

Step 14. Prepare for the day: roles, order of service and accessibility

With the date set, final prep keeps the day calm and dignified. Decide who does what, agree a simple running order, and make the venue easy for everyone to navigate. When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, share timings, travel and webcast details early so guests know what to expect.

• Roles: faith leader/celebrant, readers/speakers, pallbearers, ushers, music/livestream contact.
• Order of service: welcome, tributes, readings/music, committal, closing. Print if helpful, or share digitally. Confirm music files and versions.
• Accessibility: step‑free routes, seating, hearing support if available, toilets, quiet space, parking. Include dress guidance, donation/flowers wishes, on‑the‑day contact.

Step 15. After the funeral: ashes, memorials and next steps

Once the day is over, the focus shifts to ashes, remembrance and the practicalities that follow. If you chose cremation or direct cremation, decide what you want to do with the ashes and agree this as a family. As you continue to learn how to plan a funeral in the UK, take care of the final admin so estates and benefits aren’t delayed.

• Decide on ashes: collect them, ask the crematorium/provider to scatter in a garden of remembrance, keep at home, or inter in a cemetery/natural burial ground. Get permission from the landowner/authority before scattering elsewhere.
• Choose a memorial: a headstone or plaque (check cemetery rules and fees), a memorial service, or something personal like planting a tree or creating a memory book.
• Wrap up admin: order extra certified death certificates if needed, finish Tell Us Once or notify organisations, explore bereavement benefits, value the estate, and apply for probate where required.
• Look after yourself: speak to your GP and consider bereavement support through local council services or charities.

Keep receipts and records so costs can be reclaimed from the estate where possible.

Step 16. Special situations: coroner, organ donation and deaths abroad

Some funerals involve extra authorities. When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, be aware that a coroner investigation, organ donation, or arranging a funeral abroad can change paperwork and timelines. Avoid non‑refundable bookings until you have written permissions and dates from the hospital, coroner and crematorium or cemetery.

• Coroner cases: Unexpected, violent or unclear deaths are reported to a coroner. You must wait for release and their paperwork; cremation cannot proceed without it. Ask your provider for realistic timescales.
• Organ donation: If organ donation is taking place, the hospital team coordinates this first. It can extend timings slightly, but burial, cremation or direct cremation remain available afterwards.
• Deaths abroad/overseas funerals: To move a body abroad from England or Wales you need coroner permission, even if the death is under investigation; apply at least 4 days before. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes. Taking ashes overseas later is often simpler.

Step 17. Gather documents and information: a practical checklist

Gathering documents early keeps bookings, banking and benefits moving. Use this practical checklist while learning how to plan a funeral in the UK. Not everything will apply, but the more you have to hand, the fewer delays you’ll face.

• MCCD or coroner documents: release/cremation authority.
• Certified death certificates: order several copies.
• Registrar’s paperwork: permission to bury or cremate.
• Tell Us Once code: plus National Insurance and NHS numbers.
• Authority to arrange: executor/next‑of‑kin details; your photo ID/address.
• Wishes and funding: will/letter of wishes; funeral plan or insurance details.
• Burial/cremation forms: cremation applications/medical certificates, or cemetery/grave papers.
• Practical and payment items: ashes instructions and faith preferences; clothing/personal effects; bank/policy numbers and funeral invoice; evidence for cost help; key contacts.

Step 18. Typical UK timelines and what can delay a funeral

When learning how to plan a funeral in the UK, expect timings to depend on paperwork, venue availability and whether a coroner is involved. You must first get the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and register the death (usually within 5 days, 8 in Scotland). After that, the date hinges on your choice of burial, cremation or direct cremation and when key people and places are free.

• Coroner involvement: Investigations/post‑mortems and release paperwork must be completed before booking.
• Cremation forms and certificates: Extra applications and medical certificates can add steps.
• Crematorium/cemetery availability: Chapel slots, grave preparation and preferred times vary by area.
• Faith or cultural requirements: Specific timings or rites may shape the schedule.
• Medical device removal: Pacemakers and similar devices must be removed before cremation.
• Repatriation/overseas funerals: Moving a body abroad needs coroner permission (apply at least 4 days before).

If diaries are tight, an unattended direct cremation now with a memorial later can reduce timetable pressure.

Step 19. Planning ahead: make your wishes known and protect costs

Planning ahead spares your family difficult choices and helps control spending. If you’re thinking about how to plan a funeral in the UK for yourself, write down what you want and how it should be paid for, then tell the right people. Clear wishes, realistic budgets and simple choices (including direct cremation) make it easier and more affordable when the time comes.

• Write your wishes: burial or cremation, faith or secular, direct cremation, green options, music/donations.
• Tell people: share with your executor/next of kin, store with your will, name who should arrange it.
• Protect costs: consider a pre‑paid plan or pre‑arranged direct cremation; check what’s covered and any third‑party fees.
• Compare prices: funeral directors must publish standard price lists — use these to set a sensible budget.
• Keep a crib sheet: preferred provider, policy numbers, key contacts; review yearly and update anyone who needs to know.

Next steps

You’ve now got a clear roadmap. Start by confirming the type of funeral that best fits your wishes and budget, book the registrar, and line up the essentials (crematorium or cemetery, celebrant or faith leader, and transport). Keep everything in writing, set a spending limit, and give yourself permission to keep things simple. One calm step at a time, with copies of key documents to hand, will save stress and money.

If simplicity, dignity and flexibility matter most, a direct cremation can be a kind, lower‑cost choice. We can help with collection anywhere in mainland England, Scotland or Wales, complete the paperwork, provide an eco‑friendly coffin, and return or respectfully scatter the ashes — all with clear pricing and 24/7 support. When you’re ready, speak to the team at Go Direct Cremations to take care of the essentials so you can focus on remembering well.