How to plan a funeral

Arranging a funeral

Because most people tend to avoid the subject of death and funerals, they tend to be generally poorly equipped to make informed decisions when they are bereaved

Consequently, myths abound and most people do not shop around, or question the quotes or advice they receive

Beyond the basic decision of burial or cremation, people may need to consider the technicalities and pit-falls of options such as body donation, burial on private land or at sea.

For those planning ahead, they need to be aware of the costs of making the wrong person their executor, the possible benefits of appointing a power of attorney over their financial and health affairs and why they might consider making a living will (now called advance decisions).

 Funeral costs

Many people are worried about costs

The average, basic funeral in the UK now starts at about £3000.

However there are alternatives, some of which can be quite hidden from public view. For example, there are many independent funeral directors who offer a direct cremation or burial service

This pares funerals down to absolute basics and entails the deceased person being collected, placed in a standard coffin and cremated at the funeral directors convenience and choice of crematorium, usually without ceremony

This suits families who want to separate the ceremony from the disposal, by having a memorial service on another day for example, or those who simply have no one or want no one to attend.  It gets away from the normal, black funeral and its related expenses.  The cost of this direct type of funeral is £995- £1700 depending on location. This price includes all fees

For more proactive families, there is the option of organising a burial or cremation themselves, or asking for just a little help with the more nitty-gritty aspects.  Some families even decide to keep the deceased at home and possibly even bury them on their own land.  Of course these funerals are, in effect, free

Common myths include that there is some law stating that you have to use a funeral director, that bodies/coffins have to be transported in a hearse, that you have to be embalmed to be viewed, that cremated remains are mixed together and that coffins are reused.

 Planning ahead can make financial sense

Paying for funerals in advance is another area that can be complicated

Generally speaking, insurance-based products can be expensive in the long run and may not cover the cost of a funeral; especially if you live for longer than you think! (ironically you will have paid even more over time and the cost of a funeral will probably be far more than the sum insured)

The small print may reveal that any failure with monthly payments, due to infirmity or a banking mix-up, will result in the policy being void!

Funeral plans through a funeral director, invested in a trust are a way of ensuring that at least the funeral directors fees are guaranteed.

Shopping around is very important.  Undertakers vary hugely in how they operate, who really owns them, how flexible they are and how much they charge

The Natural Death Centre Charity has been an independent source of advice on all aspects of dying and Funerals for the last 22 years.   They run a telephone help line and also have a very informative website. 

01962 712690 [email protected]

www.naturaldeath.org.uk