How to Arrange a Cremation in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Losing someone you love is hard enough without having to decode unfamiliar forms, deadlines and fees. Many families aren’t sure what to do first, who to call, or whether they must use a funeral director. Questions about paperwork, how soon a cremation can happen, and how much it will cost are common—and completely normal.

This step-by-step guide gives you a clear route through the practicalities in England, Scotland and Wales. Whether you choose an attended service or a simple direct (unattended) cremation, you’ll find plain‑English instructions for each stage: from confirming the death and registering it, to completing cremation forms, arranging care and transport, booking the crematorium, and understanding costs and financial help. It’s written to support you whether you appoint a funeral director or prefer to handle arrangements yourself with help from your local council and crematorium.

We’ll walk you through 12 concise steps, explain what happens on the day, outline your choices for ashes and memorials, and flag regional variations and special situations (such as coroner involvement or moving a loved one). There’s also a simple checklist and timeline to keep you on track. When you’re ready, we’ll begin with what to do immediately after a death.

Step 1. Confirm the death and get the medical certificate (or follow the coroner’s process)

Before you can arrange a cremation, the death must be formally confirmed and a doctor or hospital must issue the medical certificate stating the cause of death. If the death occurred in hospital, the bereavement office will explain when and how to collect it; if it happened elsewhere, a doctor involved in the person’s care will usually provide it. If the death is reported to a coroner (for example, where the cause is unclear or the circumstances need investigation), the coroner’s process takes precedence and the cremation cannot proceed until they have completed their inquiries and released the person, issuing the necessary paperwork for a cremation in place of the usual doctor’s forms.

• What you need now: confirmation of death, the doctor’s medical certificate (or coroner authority), and basic personal details ready for registration in the next step.

Step 2. Register the death and obtain authorisation for cremation (green form or form 14 in Scotland)

Once you have the medical certificate (or the coroner is involved), register the death with the local register office as soon as you can. At registration you’ll receive the authority needed to proceed with cremation: in England and Wales this is the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (commonly called the green form), and in Scotland it’s Form 14. If a coroner is investigating, they supply their own cremation authority instead; in those cases the funeral can usually proceed on the coroner’s paperwork even if registration is not yet complete.

Bring the basics and expect the registrar to guide you through a short, structured appointment. Many registrars can also offer the Tell Us Once service so government departments are informed in one go.

• What you’ll typically need: the doctor’s medical certificate (or coroner details), personal information about the person who died, and your own contact details as the informant.
• What you’ll receive: certified copies of the death certificate (paid copies if you need them later) and the cremation authority (green form or Form 14) to give to your funeral director or crematorium.

Step 3. Decide the type of cremation: attended service or direct (unattended)

Before you book anything, choose between an attended cremation service at the crematorium or a direct cremation with no mourners present. An attended service gives time in a chapel with music, readings and a committal. A direct (unattended) cremation separates the practical cremation from any farewell you hold later, simplifying how to arrange a cremation to suit your needs.

• Attended service: Family present; you choose a date/time; you can book a celebrant; longer chapel slots are possible but usually cost more.
• Direct cremation: Simplest and usually most affordable; no ceremony at the crematorium; family aren’t present; ashes can be returned or respectfully scattered for you.
• Timings: Many cremations happen within about two weeks; pressure on crematoria can push this towards three. Direct cremation is often quicker as fewer diaries need coordinating.

The paperwork and permissions are the same whichever route you choose.

Step 4. Choose a provider: funeral director or arrange it yourself

You have two valid routes for how to arrange a cremation: appoint a funeral director to manage everything, or organise it yourself. Both can be dignified and cost‑effective—choose the path that best matches your time, budget and confidence.

• Use a funeral director when: you want a single point of contact, an attended chapel service, rapid collection, or the crematorium only accepts bookings via directors (many do). Look for membership of NAFD or SAIF, ask for an itemised price list (they’re legally required to publish one), and confirm what’s included (collection, care, coffin, paperwork, ashes return).

• Arrange it yourself when: you prefer simplicity and control, or you’re choosing direct cremation. Be ready to handle forms, transport, a suitable coffin, and booking the crematorium. If DIY bookings aren’t accepted locally, your council’s Cemeteries and Crematorium team can advise, and many councils offer their own simple services. A dedicated direct cremation provider can also handle the practicalities while keeping costs transparent.

Step 5. Complete the cremation paperwork and gather ID (Cremation 1 and Cremation 4, or coroner forms)

This is the admin heart of how to arrange a cremation. With the registrar’s authority from Step 2 in hand, complete the cremation application and make sure the medical paperwork is in place. Forms differ by nation and where the death occurred, but the flow is similar across England, Scotland and Wales. A funeral director or direct cremation provider will usually prepare and submit these for you; if you’re arranging it yourself, the crematorium or your council’s bereavement team can confirm what they need and by when.

• Cremation 1 (application): Completed and signed by the applicant, including your wishes for the ashes.
• Cremation 4 (medical certificate): Signed by a doctor. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland there’s an additional mandatory £82 medical fee; there’s no equivalent fee in Scotland.
• Coroner’s forms (if applicable): Replace the doctor’s certificate when a coroner has investigated and authorised cremation.
• Registrar’s authority: The green form (England/Wales) or Form 14 (Scotland) from Step 2.
• Essential details: Full names, addresses and contact details for the applicant and the person who died.
• Medical devices: Declare pacemakers or implants—removal is required and may attract an extra charge.

Submit the set to your funeral director or directly to the crematorium as instructed. Once accepted, you can move on to arranging collection, care and transport.

Step 6. Arrange collection, care and transport of your loved one

Once the cremation paperwork is accepted, the next step in how to arrange a cremation is the practical transfer and care. If you’ve appointed a funeral director or a direct cremation provider, they’ll coordinate 24/7 collection from a hospital, care home, home address or the coroner’s mortuary, move your loved one to professional facilities for respectful care (often including washing and preparation), place them in a suitable coffin, and organise secure transport to the crematorium. If you’re arranging things yourself, you’ll need an appropriate vehicle, a suitable coffin, proper storage, and to check your council’s guidance as many crematoria only accept bookings via funeral directors.

• Collection and timing: Confirm the pick‑up location (hospital, care home, home, coroner) and preferred time.
• Release authority: Check who must authorise release (bereavement office or coroner).
• ID and documents: Ensure identification and forms match before transfer.
• Care and coffin: Agree any washing/preparation and the coffin type (eco options are common).
• Medical devices: Declare pacemakers/implants—removal is required and may incur a fee.
• Personal effects: Decide what stays with the person and what’s returned to you.
• Transport logistics: Confirm how and when they’ll be conveyed to the crematorium.
• Ashes preferences: State whether ashes are to be returned or respectfully scattered.
• Costs to note: Urgent home collection, device removal or larger coffins may attract extra charges.

Step 7. Book the crematorium and set the date (plus celebrant and service details if attending)

With your forms accepted, you can book the crematorium. Many crematoria only accept bookings via a funeral director, so if you’re arranging things yourself, speak to your council’s Cemeteries and Crematorium team to confirm the local process. Typical lead times are around two weeks (sometimes up to three, depending on availability). For direct cremation, your provider will book an appropriate slot with no chapel service.

If you’re having an attended service, choose a chapel time that suits your needs. Standard services run 20–60 minutes; you can usually book a double slot for a longer ceremony (fees are typically doubled). Chapels are multi‑faith; you can appoint a celebrant or faith leader. If witnessing the cremation is important, ask in advance as this must be specially arranged.

• Have to hand: cremation authority (green form or Form 14) and applicant details.
• Confirm service content: eulogy, readings and music; agree the committal.
• Set ashes instructions: return to family or respectful scattering by the crematorium.
• Note special requests: longer slots, religious symbols, or witnessing (by prior arrangement).

This is the practical heartbeat of how to arrange a cremation—lock in the time, the place and the tone of the farewell.

Step 8. Understand costs and how to pay, including financial help

Clarity on costs makes every other decision easier when you’re working out how to arrange a cremation. The main charge is the crematorium fee (UK average around £813), and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland there’s a mandatory £82 doctor’s fee for the cremation medical certificate (this additional medical fee doesn’t apply in Scotland). Direct cremation is usually the lowest‑cost option, and cremation fees themselves can vary widely (often roughly £250–£600+, depending on the crematorium). Funeral directors are legally required to publish an itemised price list—use it to compare like for like.

• Crematorium fee: Core charge for the cremation slot; varies by region and time length.
• Professional fees: Funeral director or provider administration, arranging and care.
• Third‑party costs (disbursements): Celebrant/minister, doctors’ fees, notices.
• Care and transport: Collection, mortuary care, conveyance to the crematorium.
• Coffin and ashes container: From simple eco options to higher‑spec choices.
• Extras: Urgent home collection, implant (pacemaker) removal, larger coffins, premium urns.

You can pay from a prepaid plan or life policy, personally, or from the estate (accessed via a grant of representation/probate). Ask for a written, itemised quote and confirm what’s included (collection, care, coffin, paperwork, ashes return or scattering).

• If you need help: You may qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment (if you’re on certain benefits). For a child under 18 or a baby stillborn after 24 weeks, the Children’s Funeral Fund for England covers many cremation costs.

Once you’ve set a budget and know how you’ll pay, you’re ready to focus on the day itself.

Step 9. Know what happens on the day of cremation

Knowing the flow of the day reduces stress and helps you focus on the farewell. For an attended service, arrive a little early; chapel staff or your funeral director will guide you. The service itself is simple and dignified—music, readings, a eulogy—and ends with the committal, when the coffin on the catafalque is curtained before transfer to the cremator. For a direct (unattended) cremation, there’s no ceremony; your provider ensures respectful care and the cremation proceeds as arranged.

• Arrival and seating: You may follow the coffin in or be seated first; chapels are multi‑faith.
• Service length: Typically 20–60 minutes; longer if a double slot was booked.
• The committal: Curtains close; the coffin is moved for cremation.
• Witnessing: Possible by prior arrangement at some crematoria; the body is not visible.
• Identity safeguards: Crematoria use strict procedures, and only one adult coffin is cremated at a time.
• Flowers: You can view tributes after the service; some venues display them for days.
• Ashes: Usually ready soon after—often the next working day—for collection, delivery, or respectful scattering as instructed.

Step 10. Decide what to do with the ashes and how to memorialise

This is the part of how to arrange a cremation that’s deeply personal. You’ll record ashes wishes on the Cremation 1 form and can change them later if needed. Ashes are usually ready soon after the cremation; they can be returned to you or respectfully scattered by the crematorium in its garden of remembrance.

• Scatter the ashes: In crematorium gardens, or on private land with the landowner’s permission. There are no restrictions on scattering at sea/coastal waters; seek Environment Agency permission before scattering over fresh water. Avoid sensitive habitats—Royal Parks in London do not permit scattering.
• Bury or inter them: In a crematorium garden or cemetery plot, or into an existing grave (permission and a fee are usually required). Home burial is possible with the landowner’s consent, but access can be lost if the property changes hands.
• Keep or share them: In an urn at home, a niche/columbarium, or a modern barrow. You can separate ashes if the legal holder (next of kin or executor) agrees. Many families create keepsakes, plant a memorial tree, or hold a later celebration of life when everyone can gather.

Step 11. Plan for special situations and regional variations

A few scenarios can change the sequence, forms or permissions when you’re working out how to arrange a cremation. Knowing them early prevents delays and avoids repeat paperwork.

• If a coroner is involved: Their investigation must finish before cremation; their forms replace the usual doctor’s certificates.
• Moving a body abroad: You need a coroner’s permission and should apply at least 4 days before the proposed date. Processes differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Death outside the UK: There’s a different route to register the death and organise return or local cremation—check the official guidance before making bookings.
• Scotland: You’ll use Form 14 (not the green form) and the additional £82 doctor’s cremation fee does not apply there.
• Children and stillbirth: In England, the Children’s Funeral Fund can help with costs for under‑18s or a stillbirth after 24 weeks.
• Faith needs and witnessing: Many chapels are multi‑faith; witnessing the cremation may be possible by prior arrangement.
• DIY arrangements: Many crematoria only accept bookings via funeral directors—your council’s bereavement team can advise locally.
• Devices and ashes rules: Pacemakers/implants must be declared and removed; get permission before scattering over fresh water and avoid sensitive sites.

Step 12. Use a simple checklist and timeline to stay on track

A light plan makes everything feel manageable. Most families complete the essentials and hold the cremation within about two weeks (sometimes three, depending on crematorium availability). Use this quick timeline to pace each task and keep documents together so nothing delays the booking.

• Day 0–1: Confirm death; get the medical certificate or follow the coroner’s process.
• Day 1–5: Register the death; obtain the green form (England/Wales) or Form 14 (Scotland).
• Same time: Choose attended or direct cremation; set a budget; pick a provider.
• Within 48 hours: Complete Cremation 1; arrange Cremation 4 or coroner forms; declare any implants.
• Next: Arrange collection, care and coffin; book the crematorium (and celebrant/music if attending).
• Before the date: Confirm ashes instructions; settle paperwork and fees.
• After the cremation: Receive ashes (often the next working day) and plan your memorial.

Next steps and support

You now have a clear route through every stage: confirming and registering the death, completing Cremation 1 and medical or coroner forms, arranging collection and care, booking the crematorium, setting a budget, and deciding how you’ll honour the ashes. Keep the key documents together, ask the crematorium or council questions early, and choose the timing and style—attended chapel service or simple direct cremation—that best suits your family.

If you’d like practical help with a dignified unattended cremation, including 24/7 collection across mainland England, Scotland and Wales, guidance with paperwork, respectful care and preparation, an eco‑friendly coffin, and ashes returned or respectfully scattered, speak to Go Direct Cremations. Their clear pricing and experience with complex situations (such as coroner involvement or overseas factors) make the process simpler when you need it most—so you can focus on planning a meaningful farewell in your own time.