Deciding to be buried or cremated could be one of the hardest or most natural decisions to make This is because family traditions, religion or personal beliefs can have a significant influence on what we choose. According to SunLife , 73% of people choose a form of cremation over a burial [1] . The below chart shows the basic process of a cremation or burial to help you understand what to expect: Planning a cremation Planning a burial Choose a crematorium Choose a cemetery, churchyard or natural burial ground ↓ ↓ Complete a cremation application (called a Form 1) Obtain burial permit for burial plot. You will also require a burial certificate (can be used as an alternative to a green certificate) ↓ ↓ Secure a green certificate and the medical certificate signed by two separate doctors (funeral director can assist with all the paperwork) Secure a green certificate and the medical certificate signed by two separate doctors (funeral director can assist with all the paperwork) ↓ ↓ Funeral service tends to be held in the crematoria chapel or other venue before cremation Grave can be marked with a headstone, plaque or statue. Only a natural memorial is allowed (such as a tree) for a natural burial ↓ ↓ Cremation held Funeral service and burial held - usually in a cemetery or private grounds ↓ ↓ A private wake may be held if one has not been held yet A private wake may be held if one has not been held yet ↓ ↓ Ashes can be collected after the funeral and scattered if you like If the grave hasn’t been marked yet, you will now be able to

Planning a Funeral Checklist » 9-Step Guide [2025]

Q: What is the cost of a funeral?

Currently, the average cost of a funeral is £4,141. However, the cost of the funeral you’re planning will depend on various factors, which include: Location of the funeral - Funeral costs vary across the UK Burial or cremation - A cremation is less expensive than a burial, and a direct cremation is the cheapest type of funeral. The average cost of a basic cremation funeral in the UK is £3,795, with a basic burial funeral costing £5,077 on average. A direct cremation is much cheaper, costing £1,498 [1] Funeral director services - Whether you use a funeral director, and if so, the level of service you choose Degree of personalisation - What you choose to spend on the floral arrangements, coffin, transport, venues and so on When the funeral takes place - Funeral costs are rising and unless you lock-in costs with a funeral plan, you may have to pay higher funeral prices in the future

Q: Why secure over 50s life insurance through Reassured?

We’re the largest UK life insurance broker We’re rated “ Excellent ” with over 80,000 reviews on Trustpilot We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) All quotes are fee-free, personalised & no-obligation We can offer a free trust-writing service on many of our products to help minimise/avoid 40% inheritance tax We compare quotes from a range of leading UK insurers We decipher all the jargon & can help you through the whole application process Our call centres are award-winning & UK based Quotes could start from as little as 20p-a-day

Home
Life insurance
Funeral planning
Planning a funeral

Planning a funeral checklist

Planning a funeral will never be an easy task. But we’ve put together this planning a funeral checklist and detailed guide to help you get started with the necessary arrangements.

Here are the key steps to planning a funeral when someone passes away:

Register the death (within 5 days) to obtain the death certificate
Check if they have left any funeral instructions in their Will (or elsewhere)
Check if they had life insurance or a prepaid funeral plan to help cover the cost and if not, think about your budget and how you’ll pay for the funeral
Hire a suitable funeral director (if you wish to use one)
Decide if it will be a cremation or burial
Choose the coffin (traditional, eco-friendly, personalised etc)
Decide the type of funeral service(religious, non-religious etc)
Choose the funeral venue (place of worship, chapel, burial site etc)
Organise transport for the family to and from the service (limousines, taxis etc)
Choose the flower arrangements (or pick a charity for donations)
Plan the service details (dress code, funeral music, readings, eulogy etc)
Create the order of service
Book the venue and catering for the wake (if you’re having one)
Send out invitations (e.g. phone, email, social media etc)

Continue reading as we guide you through the process of arranging a funeral, from obtaining the right paperwork after someone passes away, to covering the funeral cost.

As mentioned above, it’s worth checking if your loved one had arranged life insurance before they passed away, such as over 50s life insurance.

If they have a policy in place, then you could make a claim to receive the guaranteed cash pay out to help cover their funeral costs.

Planning a funeral and finding payment for the funeral can raise thoughts of your own funeral in the future.

If you’d like to help protect your family from inevitable funeral expenses, then you may consider over 50s life insurance through Reassured.

You could secure up to £20,000 of cover (depending on your age, smoking status and budget), and assure a pay out when the time comes.

Acceptance is guaranteed for over 50s life insurance if you’re a UK resident aged between 50 – 85 and no medical information is required.

Quotes could start from just 20p-a-day through Reassured⁺. Simply contact us for your free quote comparison.

Why secure over 50s life insurance through Reassured?

We’re the largest UK life insurance broker^*
We’re rated “Excellent” with over 80,000 reviews on Trustpilot
We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
All quotes are fee-free, personalised & no-obligation
We can offer a free trust-writing service on many of our products to help minimise/avoid 40% inheritance tax
We compare quotes from a range of leading UK insurers
We decipher all the jargon & can help you through the whole application process
Our call centres are award-winning & UK based
Quotes could start from as little as 20p-a-day⁺

Compare over 50s Life Insurance »

How to plan a funeral

In this guide, we’ll explain how to plan a funeral step-by-step, covering the main elements including:

When to start planning a funeral »
How to pay for a funeral »
Funeral director services »
The type of funeral service »
Burial or cremation? »
Planning a funeral service »
Planning a funeral reception »
How long is a funeral? »
The cost of a funeral »

Continue reading as we run through each step and outline all the things to consider when planning a funeral...

1. When to start planning a funeral

You can start planning a funeral when someone passes away and their death has been registered.

A death must be registered within 5 days. However, this can be extended for another 9 days if a medical certificate has been issued.

A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will need to be obtained from the GP (if they passed away at home), or from the hospital (if they passed away in hospital).

Registering a death can be done at the Registrar office by a relative or someone present at the death. You’ll then receive a Certificate of Registration of Death.

Following this, you’ll be able to obtain an application for cremation or certificate for a burial so that you can start planning the funeral.

If you have appointed the services of a funeral director, they can help you acquire all the necessary paperwork.

Planning your own funeral

You could start planning your own funeral in advance and take out life insurance to help towards the cost.

Life insurance, such as an over 50s plan, allows you to leave a cash sum to your loved ones after you’re gone.

If you have any specific funeral wishes, the funds can be used to help fulfil these and relieve some stress for those planning your funeral.

If you’re aged between 50 - 85 then you could take out an over 50s plan with a pay out up to £20,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget).

Contact us today for your no-obligation, fee-free quote.

How much over 50 life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments below to understand the level of over 50 life insurance you require.

£ -

Your total cover estimate

£ 0

Let us help you find our best quotes

Compare Over 50 Life Insurance Quotes »

2. How to pay for a funeral

There are different ways to pay for a funeral. Your loved one may have made financial provisions for their funeral before passing away.

Financial provisions left by the person who’s passed away may include:

Savings and investments (the estate)
Life insurance or over 50s plan
Prepaid funeral plan

Alternatively, a family member or friend would need to pay for the funeral. It’s important to decide on a budget before making any arrangements.

Your chosen funeral director is required to provide you with a price list for all their services, allowing you to keep on top of costs.

If you’re struggling to afford a funeral and receive certain state benefits, you may be entitled to funeral expenses help from the government.

3. Funeral director services

Most people hire a professional funeral director to help them with funeral arrangements.

If you wish to use a funeral director, it’s important to find one who’s a member of one of the following:

The National Association of Funeral Directors (check the NAFD funeral directory)
The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).

Funeral directors provide a range of services, including:

Professional guidance and advice
Collecting the deceased and transporting them to the funeral home
Care and preparation of the deceased until the funeral
Liaising with third-parties, such as the crematorium or cemetery
Assisting with all the necessary arrangements
Funeral personnel such as pallbearers
Coffin, hearse and limousines

You can select a level of service that suits your needs and your budget. If you’re looking for a fair deal, it’s wise to shop around and compare quotes for funeral directors.

Additionally, it’s not compulsory to use a funeral director; you could arrange some (or all) of the funeral yourself which can help to reduce the cost.

4. The type of funeral service

Most funeral services are held in a place of worship, crematorium chapel, or natural burial site, but other venues are also used.

The most popular types of funeral service are explained in the table below:

Type of funeral	What this funeral is like	Other important notes
Religious	A traditional funeral with a religious ceremony. May include prayers, hymns or readings in line with your beliefs. Usually held in a church or chapel and led by a religious minister	Co-op reported this accounts for 2 in 3 funerals they arrange^[2]. Funeral directors are highly experienced with this form of funeral
Non-religious	A traditional funeral which excludes religious aspects. Can be held in a crematorium, cemetery chapel, natural burial site or other venue. May be led by a celebrant, friend or family member	In the Co-op 'Changing Face of UK Funerals' survey, 51% of participants think that more funerals will take place outside of traditional religious settings in the future^[3]
Celebration of life	A funeral focused on a person’s individuality, personality, unique traits and experiences. May include sharing of the deceased’s favourite music and memories	Can be part of a non-religious funeral or as a separate memorial on a different day (for example, after a direct cremation if this is chosen)
Eco-friendly	An environmentally friendly funeral, such as a woodland burial, using biodegradable materials for the coffin and memorial (grave marker)	This can be religious or non-religious in nature and can include a service, but an indoor venue may not be available. More funeral providers are offering this type of funeral
Direct cremation	For those who prefer no funeral service. A cremation is carried out without an attended funeral service beforehand	This costs much less than a traditional funeral and a good option for those on a budget

5. Burial or cremation?

Whether to have a burial or cremation will need to be decided quite early on in the funeral planning process.

This is because family traditions, religion or personal beliefs can have a significant influence on what we choose.

According to SunLife, 73% of people choose a form of cremation over a burial^[1].

The below chart shows the basic process of a cremation or burial to help you understand what to expect:

Planning a cremation	Planning a burial
Choose a crematorium	Choose a cemetery, churchyard or natural burial ground
↓	↓
Complete a cremation application (called a Form 1)	Obtain burial permit for burial plot. You will also require a burial certificate (can be used as an alternative to a green certificate)
↓	↓
Secure a green certificate and the medical certificate signed by two separate doctors (funeral director can assist with all the paperwork)	Secure a green certificate and the medical certificate signed by two separate doctors (funeral director can assist with all the paperwork)
↓	↓
Funeral service tends to be held in the crematoria chapel or other venue before cremation	Grave can be marked with a headstone, plaque or statue. Only a natural memorial is allowed (such as a tree) for a natural burial
↓	↓
Cremation takes place following the service	Funeral service and burial held - usually in a cemetery or private grounds
↓	↓
A private wake may be held if one has not been held yet	A private wake may be held if one has not been held yet
↓	↓
Ashes can be collected after the funeral and scattered if you like	If the grave hasn’t been marked yet, you will now be able to

Compare Over 50s Life Insurance »

6. Planning a funeral service

There are many things to consider when planning a funeral service.

Help from family and close friends to plan the funeral service and decide on each of the elements would be beneficial at this time.

If the person who has died left behind their funeral wishes in their Will or by other means, then you may wish to plan the details according to these.

While many funeral elements are usually tailored to the person’s personality, the below shows the most common aspects that would need planning:

The obituary - Let others know about the death and inform them of the details of the funeral. These may include an appropriate photo and a few sentences about the life of the deceased. It can be published in the local newspaper or posted on social media
The coffin - Traditional coffins are usually made from solid wood or wood effect materials. Eco-coffins are made from natural, biodegradable materials such as cardboard or willow. It’s sensible to check with the burial site or crematorium which types of coffin they allow
The flowers - A significant part of any funeral with many variations you could choose for the day. The most popular funeral flowers include roses, lilies, carnations, sunflowers and daffodils. You may like to ask mourners to make donations to a chosen charity instead of sending flowers
The hearse - If you’re using a funeral director, they’ll likely arrange a traditional black hearse for the procession. However, at the request of the person who's died or their loved ones, an alternative hearse can be used - providing it’s able to carry the coffin
The transport - Usually, a limousine is provided by the funeral home to drive the family in cortege behind the hearse to the cremation or cemetery. It’s not compulsory to have a limousine at the funeral and loved ones can travel to the location of the funeral service by car or public transport if they wish
The procession - Most funeral directors will give you the option to choose the procession route to the cremation or cemetery. The cortege may start from the funeral home or from a family member’s home, and finish where the service will take place
The music - A loved one’s favourite song or one that reflects their personality can be used to make a service personal. Several pieces of music may be required throughout the service. For a religious service, you may wish to search for popular funeral hymns
The order of service - An order of service can be done by a professional, the funeral director, or by yourself at home. This will consist of lyrics for music, times and names of those providing readings, information on the deceased - including a photo and/or a quote, and wake details
The eulogy - This a speech about the life of the person who has passed. You could ask a family member or relative to write and/or read the eulogy. Alternatively, someone could read a meaningful poem or a short passage in their memory
The pallbearers - Pallbearers are commonly family or close friends who are chosen to carry the coffin from the hearse to the burial site or crematorium. The funeral home personnel may be able to carry the coffin if you prefer
The dress code - Traditional black is usually worn but is not compulsory. A colour theme for all mourners and funeral personnel can be requested. You’ll also need to decide the outfit for the person who's passed. The funeral home will prepare and dress them
The memorial - For a burial, you’ll need to think about the style and wording of the headstone. For a cremation, this would either be choosing a suitable urn, or deciding where to scatter/bury them. At a natural burial site, the use of a traditional headstone won’t be permitted but you may be able to plant a tree or leave another natural memorial. Certain memorials will require maintenance as time goes on

7. Planning a funeral reception

Following the committal, at a crematorium or cemetery, you may wish to hold a wake at a nearby venue, such as a village hall, pub or hotel.

This usually includes organising some catering for the occasion.

This presents a great opportunity for friends and family to get together and share memories and pay tribute to the person who has passed.

If you’re worried about your loved ones struggling to afford a reception or other funeral aspects, why not consider an over 50s life insurance policy?

The average cost of dying is currently £9,658^[1]. With an over 50s plan you could secure up to £20,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget) to help cover some of these costs for your loved ones.

There may even be funds left over to provide an inheritance for them to spend as they wish.

8. How long is a funeral?

On average, funerals can last between 30 - 60 minutes. However, the length could be shorter or longer depending on whether a service or wake is included.

The below table shows the length of the most common funeral types:

Funeral type	Length (approximately)	Other notes
Cremation	45 - 60 minutes	Unlikely to exceed an hour (unless you choose to pay for the extra time)
Direct cremation	N/A due to no service	Due to no family or friends attending, length is solely dependent on a wake or memorial service if you choose to have one
Burial	60 minutes	May be followed by a short burial service by the graveside
Direct burial	N/A due to no service	Due to no family or friends attending, length is solely dependent on a wake or memorial service if you choose to have one
Eco-friendly burial	30 - 60 minutes	A short burial service may proceed this

9. What is the cost of a funeral?

Currently, the average cost of a funeral is £4,141^[1].

However, the cost of the funeral you’re planning will depend on various factors, which include:

Location of the funeral - Funeral costs, including cremation and burial fees, vary across the UK
Burial or cremation - A cremation is less expensive than a burial. The average cost of a cremation is £3,975 and the average cost of a burial is £5,077. Direct cremation is the cheapest option, at £1,498 on average.
Funeral director services - Whether you use a funeral director, and if so, the specific services you choose to include
Personalisation - What you choose to spend on the floral arrangements, coffin, transport, venues, catering and so on

Compare over 50s life insurance to help cover your funeral costs

In 2023, 20% of UK families said they experienced notable financial concerns when paying for a funeral.

Making financial provisions in advance to help pay for your own funeral could help to alleviate money worries for your family when the time comes.

One way you can do this is by taking out over 50s life insurance through Reassured. This type of policy can provide up to £20,000 of cover (amount depending on your age, smoking status and budget) to help towards funeral related costs.

The benefits of securing over 50s life insurance through Reassured include:

Acceptance guaranteed to UK residents aged 50 - 85
No medical information required
Fee-free, personalised quotes from leading providers
Sum assured (pay out amount) up to £20,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget)
Quotes could start from just 20p-a-day

Give yourself peace of mind knowing that your loved ones won’t be left paying for your funeral out of their own pockets and contact Reassured today.

We can provide you with no-obligation and personalised quotes, free of charge.

Compare Over 50s Life Insurance »

Sources:

[1] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/

[2] https://www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk/arranging-a-funeral/organising-the-day/download-pdfs/

[3] https://www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk/campaigns/funeral-trends/

Funeral etiquette UK

What is the etiquette for funerals in the UK? Find out what…

The good news is, it's possible to get life insurance over…

10 min

Read now »

Over 80 life insurance

Is it still possible to secure life insurance cover when…

11 min

Read now »

Planning a funeral checklist

Your 9-step guide on how to plan a funeral

Planning a funeral checklist

Why secure over 50s life insurance through Reassured?

How to plan a funeral

1. When to start planning a funeral

How much over 50 life insurance do you need?

2. How to pay for a funeral

3. Funeral director services

4. The type of funeral service

5. Burial or cremation?

6. Planning a funeral service

7. Planning a funeral reception

8. How long is a funeral?

9. What is the cost of a funeral?

Compare over 50s life insurance to help cover your funeral costs

Sources:

Related articles:

Funeral etiquette UK

Who has the right to make decisions about your funeral UK

Cremation process UK

Best funeral insurance UK

How long can you delay a funeral in the UK

Do I have to pay for my parents funeral?

What is the cheapest way to be cremated?

How to find out when someone’s funeral is UK

Do you have to have a funeral?

Cost of burial UK

Life insurance over 70

Over 80 life insurance