How to arrange a funeral for your loved one

We understand how difficult times can be when someone dies, especially with all there is to think about, discuss, and arrange afterwards. Whether you’re planning a funeral or memorial service, it can be a lot to take on, and can be a fairly daunting task without the help and advice you ought to have.

If recently losing a loved one has brought you to this page, we’re extremely sorry for your loss. We hope this guide will give you everything you need to arrange a funeral and a celebration of life they deserve.

Here’s how to arrange a funeral for your loved one.

1. Decide on the type of funeral to arrange

Your loved one may have left instructions about the type of funeral they wish for. But if not, you’ll need to decide on what type of service you would like to arrange. By doing so, you can narrow down your funeral director choices and make arranging a funeral a lot more straightforward.

You can choose from a cremation service, burial, or traditional funeral, and regardless of the choice you make, it should reflect the life of your loved one and commemorate them in a unique way.

2. Choose a funeral director

An experienced, trusted, and caring funeral director can help alleviate much of the stress that comes with arranging a funeral, so you can focus on more important things such as supporting your family.

Your chosen funeral director should listen to and support your wishes, guiding you through the necessary steps that need taking. From full traditional funerals, through to direct cremations and unique celebrations of life, discuss your options and cooperate with your funeral director to achieve a service your loved one would have wanted.

When it comes to appointing a company to handle your funeral wishes, do your own research, take your time and follow the below points to ensure you’re in the right hands:

• Use recent reviews – Reading online reviews are a fantastic way to gauge the credibility and helpfulness of your intended funeral directors.
• Compare prices – Be sure to check the pricing of each proposed service, and what you can expect to receive for the price you pay. Compare the prices and what they include with a handful of funeral providers for peace of mind.
• Discuss payment terms – Check whether you’ll need to make a full payment up-front and, if so, how you'll do that. In certain circumstances the Department for Work & Pensions can help with a Funeral Payment or the deceased's bank may be able to pay the funeral director with an invoice and the death certificate.
• Choose someone you trust – Arguably the most important point to consider when choosing a funeral director. Someone you can trust will make you feel comfortable, they will respect your wishes and won’t push you to make choices or ‘up-sell’ their service to you.
• Explore availability – Good funeral directors will be available to assist with your queries 24 hours a day. They’ll be accessible whenever you need, listen to your wishes or concerns, and guide you through the process in a supportive manner.

3. Provide the funeral director with details of your loved one

Before a funeral director can begin arranging a service, they require certain information about your loved one. Legally, a funeral, burial, or cremation cannot be held before registering the death of your loved one, which is usually done by a relative. However, part of a funeral director’s role is to undertake paperwork involved in arranging a funeral.

In order to proceed with a funeral service, your funeral director will need the following information on the person who has died:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Full address of most recent residence
• Place of death details
• If they had a pacemaker or not

4. Celebrate the life of your loved one

Despite the type of funeral and funeral director you choose, make sure the life of your loved one is celebrated to the fullest.

When you celebrate a life, you learn to look back on your memories with fondness. Instead of burying yourself in sadness that your loved one has gone, you’ll find yourself smiling at the good times you’ve spent with them. We know it can be difficult, but focus on the positive influence they’ve had in your life as well as others around you. Think about those times they made you laugh, or even annoyed you with their silliness.

All in all, celebrating the life of your loved one allows you to heal in a humane way while grieving in a positive light.

Ready to arrange a funeral plan with Celebration of Life?

At Celebration of Life, we offer a simple, fully inclusive direct cremation funeral plan to help avoid the distress of a rushed crematorium service. Our offering gives the freedom to hold a more personal celebration of life, without the vast costs of a traditional funeral. If you’re interested in learning more about our funeral plans and direct cremation service, contact our friendly team today – we’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have.