When someone dies, you need to arrange their cremation quickly while dealing with grief and administrative tasks. The process involves registering the death, completing legal forms, choosing a cremation type, and making decisions about costs and ashes. This can feel overwhelming when you’re already struggling with loss.
You can arrange a cremation yourself or through a funeral director. The basic steps are the same either way. You’ll need specific documents, medical certificates, and a cremation application form. Understanding each requirement helps you move through the process with confidence.
This guide walks you through exactly how to arrange a cremation in the UK. You’ll learn what documents you need, how to register the death, what cremation options exist, typical costs, and what happens to the ashes. By the end, you’ll know the complete process from start to finish.
What you need before you arrange a cremation
Before you start the cremation process, you need to gather specific information and documents. Your preparation saves time and prevents delays when dealing with funeral directors or crematoriums. The medical examiner or coroner must confirm the cause of death before any cremation can proceed, so you cannot arrange everything until this happens.
Essential documents and information
You’ll need several pieces of information about the person who died to complete cremation forms. Personal details must be accurate because errors cause delays and may require additional fees to correct paperwork.
Gather this information:
- Full name (including maiden name if applicable)
- Date and place of birth
- Last known address and postcode
- Occupation (current or most recent)
- NHS number (if available)
- Next of kin details
- Date, time, and place of death
- Doctor’s name and contact details
- Details of any medical devices (pacemakers, radioactive implants)
Medical requirements
Two medical certificates are required for every cremation in the UK. The first confirms the cause of death, which you receive when registering the death. A second doctor then completes a Cremation Form 5 (previously called Form C), which verifies the cause of death independently. This process costs approximately £82 for the second doctor’s fee.
Medical certificates protect against potential crimes by ensuring two separate doctors confirm the cause of death.
If the death was reported to a coroner, they will issue different paperwork once their investigation completes. Coroner cases take longer to process, typically adding one to three weeks to the cremation timeline. You cannot proceed with cremation arrangements until the coroner releases the body and provides the necessary documentation.
Step 1. Register the death and get documents
You must register the death within five days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (eight days in Scotland). This legal requirement comes before you can complete the cremation process. Registration happens at the local register office in the district where the person died, not where they lived. You cannot arrange a cremation until you complete this step and receive the necessary certificates.
Where and when to register
Book an appointment at your local register office as soon as possible after the death. Most offices require advance booking and cannot accommodate walk-ins. The registrar needs to know if the death was expected or sudden, as this affects which forms they prepare. You can find your local register office through your council’s website.
Bring these items to your registration appointment:
- Medical certificate of cause of death (provided by the doctor)
- The deceased’s full name, address, and date of birth
- The deceased’s NHS number (if available)
- The deceased’s occupation and marital status
- Details of any spouse or civil partner (including their occupation)
- Your own identification and contact details
The appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, during which the registrar asks you questions and completes official forms. They will verify all details with you before finalizing the documents.
Documents you receive after registration
The registrar issues a green certificate (formally called the Certificate for Burial or Cremation) at the end of your appointment. This certificate gives you legal permission to proceed with the cremation. You must give this green form to your funeral director or crematorium, as they cannot proceed without it. The certificate itself costs nothing as part of the registration service.
You can also purchase death certificates at the same appointment. Each certified copy costs £12.50, and you typically need multiple copies for banks, insurance companies, pension providers, and other organizations. Most people order between three and six copies during registration, though you can request additional copies later for a higher fee.
The green certificate is the single most important document for arranging a cremation, and you cannot proceed without it.
Registration completes one of the most critical steps in how to arrange a cremation in the UK. Once you have the green certificate, you can formally engage with funeral directors or crematoriums to begin the practical arrangements. Keep this certificate safe, as replacing it requires additional fees and delays the entire cremation process.
Step 2. Choose the type of cremation
Your cremation choice affects the cost, timeline, and how family members say goodbye. The UK offers two main cremation types, each suited to different preferences and circumstances. Direct cremation removes the traditional funeral service, while attended cremation includes a ceremony at the crematorium. Your decision depends on whether you want family present during the committal and how you prefer to memorialize the person who died.
Direct cremation
Direct cremation means the cremation happens without any mourners present at the crematorium. The funeral director collects the deceased, completes all paperwork, and arranges the cremation at a time chosen by the crematorium. No ceremony takes place before or during the cremation, which significantly reduces costs and gives you flexibility to organize a memorial service later at a venue of your choice.
This option costs between £1,000 and £1,500 on average, making it the most affordable way to arrange a cremation. You receive the ashes afterwards, typically within two weeks, and can then plan a celebration of life, scatter the ashes, or organize a remembrance gathering when it suits your family. Direct cremation removes the pressure of planning a funeral within days of the death.
Attended cremation
Attended cremation includes a service at the crematorium chapel where family and friends gather to pay their respects. The service typically lasts 20 to 45 minutes and can include music, readings, eulogies, and religious or non-religious elements. The coffin remains visible throughout the service, and mourners can follow it to the crematorium chapel or wait inside before it arrives.
Costs for attended cremation range from £3,500 to £5,000 depending on your location and choices. The service follows a scheduled slot, so you must coordinate availability with the crematorium, funeral director, and attendees. Many families choose this option because it provides a formal farewell and a specific time and place where everyone can gather to grieve together.
Attended cremations follow traditional funeral customs, while direct cremations prioritize simplicity and cost savings over ceremony.
Step 3. Plan the cremation details and costs
Planning the cremation involves choosing who arranges it, understanding what you pay for, and booking the actual cremation slot. This stage determines your total costs and timeline. You can work with a funeral director who handles everything or arrange certain elements yourself to reduce expenses. Each approach requires different levels of involvement and produces different price points, so understanding your options helps you make informed decisions about how to arrange a cremation in the UK.
Working with a funeral director
Most crematoriums only accept bookings through registered funeral directors, not directly from families. The funeral director acts as your intermediary, completing paperwork, transporting the deceased, providing the coffin, and coordinating with the crematorium. Their professional services typically cost between £1,500 and £3,000, depending on which tasks you need them to perform.
Funeral directors handle these essential tasks:
- Collection of the deceased from place of death
- Storage in their mortuary facilities
- Washing and preparing the body
- Provision of a suitable coffin
- Completion and submission of cremation forms
- Coordination with the crematorium
- Transportation to the crematorium
- Return of ashes to you
Some funeral directors offer itemized pricing, allowing you to select only the services you need. This approach works well if you want to reduce costs while still maintaining professional standards. Ask each funeral director for a detailed written estimate before committing, as their legal obligation to publish price lists means you can compare costs transparently.
Understanding cremation costs
The total cremation cost splits into three main categories: funeral director fees, crematorium fees, and third-party costs. Crematorium fees vary significantly by location, ranging from £500 in some rural areas to over £1,000 in London. These fees cover the actual cremation, use of the chapel if you attend, and basic ashes container.
| Cost Component | Typical Price | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Crematorium fee | £500 – £1,000 | Cremation process, chapel use, basic urn |
| Doctor’s certificates | £82 (fixed) | Medical certificate for cremation authorization |
| Funeral director | £1,000 – £3,000 | Professional services, transport, coffin, arrangements |
| Additional items | £50 – £500+ | Upgraded coffin, special urn, flowers, service booklet |
Third-party costs include the mandatory doctor’s fee of £82 for the second medical certificate (Cremation Form 5). Additional expenses might include certified death certificates (£12.50 each), removal of medical devices like pacemakers (around £150), or urgent collection outside normal hours. Budget for these extras when calculating your total expenditure.
Direct cremation typically costs £1,000 to £1,500 total, while attended cremation with a service averages £3,500 to £5,000.
Booking the crematorium slot
Crematorium availability determines when the cremation can take place, typically two to three weeks after the death. You need to coordinate multiple schedules if you choose an attended service, including the crematorium, funeral director, celebrant or religious officiant, and attendees. Direct cremations offer more flexibility because you don’t need to align everyone’s availability.
Standard service slots last 30 to 45 minutes at most crematoriums, though you can book double slots for longer ceremonies at twice the cost. Morning and afternoon slots fill quickly, particularly on Fridays and Mondays. Book as early as possible once you receive the green certificate from the registrar, especially during winter months when demand peaks.
Crematoriums operate on strict schedules with multiple services daily. Arrive 10 minutes before your allocated time if attending, and expect to leave promptly when your slot ends. The crematorium staff will guide you through their specific procedures, including where to enter, where mourners sit, and when the committal occurs.
Step 4. Decide what to do with the ashes
You receive the ashes approximately one to two weeks after the cremation in a basic container provided by the crematorium. Your decision about what to do with them affects memorial planning, costs, and how family members remember the person who died. The law gives you complete freedom to choose, provided you act respectfully and obtain necessary permissions where required. Understanding how to arrange a cremation in the uk includes planning for this final step before the cremation takes place.
Scattering or burying ashes
You can scatter ashes in any location where you have permission from the landowner, including private gardens, public woodlands, or countryside areas. Crematorium gardens of remembrance offer designated scattering areas at no cost or for a small fee, typically £50 to £200. These gardens provide maintained spaces where families can return to remember their loved ones.
Scattering at sea requires you to follow specific guidelines. You must scatter ashes at least three nautical miles from shore and notify the Environment Agency within 48 hours if scattering in rivers or lakes. Popular locations like beaches, parks, and beauty spots permit scattering, but always check with the managing organization first to avoid legal issues.
The ashes remain your property, and you face no time limit for deciding what to do with them.
Burial in a cemetery or crematorium plot costs between £200 and £800 depending on location and memorial options. Many families choose small memorial plaques, benches, or trees to mark the burial site. You can also inter ashes in an existing family grave for an additional fee, usually £150 to £300, which consolidates family members in one location.
Keeping or dividing ashes
You can keep ashes at home in a decorative urn without any legal restrictions or requirements. Urns range from simple containers costing £20 to elaborate designs exceeding £500. Some families divide ashes among relatives using smaller keepsake urns or turn portions into jewelry, which allows multiple people to keep a personal memorial.
Next steps and support
You now understand the complete process of how to arrange a cremation in the UK, from registering the death to deciding what happens to the ashes. The steps remain straightforward once you know what documents you need and which type of cremation suits your situation. Most cremations complete within two to three weeks of the death, though coroner cases take longer.
Getting professional support removes stress during difficult times. Go Direct Cremations handles all practical arrangements for a direct cremation, including paperwork, collection, and coordination with crematoriums across England, Scotland, and Wales. Their team provides 24/7 availability when you need guidance or want to arrange a cremation quickly.
Keep all documents organized in one folder as you progress through each step. This approach prevents delays and ensures you have everything ready when funeral directors or crematoriums request information. Remember that taking time to plan a meaningful memorial service after the cremation gives you flexibility without the pressure of traditional funeral timelines.