Arranging A Funeral By Yourself

Arranging a funeral is a daunting and high-cost experience. Here is everything you need to know if you decide or need to do it by yourself:

Register the death

Within 5 dies, you must take the Medical Certificate at a registry office to  register a decease.  However, we recommend not to leave it until the fifth day, as you won’t be able to make any arrangements until it’s done. You’ll obtain the Certificate for Burial or Cremation with the Certificate of Registration of Death.  

Caring of the body

This step can be a shock for those who didn’t think practically about arranging a funeral by themselves. Hospitals do not keep the body for you. You’ll have to keep the body in a cool room, wrapped in towels or sheets and ice; air conditioning can help with the preservation of the body.  

Burial or cremation

When contemplating a burial, you can decide either on a conventional or a more natural approach (learn more here).  £850 is the average cost for a cemetery burial plot, this usually includes the lease, the digging, and the filling of the grave.

The average cost of a cremation is £640 and the cemetery ash plot is approximately £450. Alternatively, you can opt to scatter the ashes for free in a nice location.  The only requirement when scattering ashes in the UK is to get the landowner’s permission.

The ceremony

It is a personal decision whether to have a ceremony. Religious institutions will charge you different fees depending on the type of ceremony. Leading it yourself or a close friend is a free option for non-religious people.

Coffin or shroud

The price of a coffin varies depending on material and style. However, there’s no legal objection on using a shroud instead.

Transport the body

Independently of choosing a burial or a cremation, you will need to arrange the transport of the body.  This costs an average of £600. Alternatively, you can transport it yourself in an estate car/van.

Extras

• Plaque/headstone:  The price of a plaque/headstone varies between the hundreds and the thousands depending on its complexity.
• Flowers: The price of flowers depend on both your preferences and potential added delivery costs. However, £150 is the average price for funeral flowers.
• Catering: The price for catering depends on the amount of people and the type of food you request. However, most places offer funeral catering packages, often with discounts for large groups.