Arrangements for the funeral usually take place once the death certificate has been signed. It is common for most people to seek the services of a funeral director, however you may also arrange the funeral yourself.

Funeral Directors

The average cost of a funeral director is around £2,500. If you are using a funeral director, you should choose one who is a member of either:

• National Association of Funeral Directors (external link)
• The National Society of Allied and Independent (external link)

Both of these organisations follow codes of practice such as requiring funeral directors to provide clear pricing.

A funeral director offers a long list of services. Some examples of what they do include:

• Handling and submitting all the paperwork and legal documents, including registering the death.
• Dealing with the deceased’s personal affairs and estate.
• The arrangements for the funeral, such as providing a basic coffin, the transportation of the body and organising of a ceremony.

Arranging the funeral yourself

Family and friends of the bereaved may arrange the funeral themselves. To do so, you should get in contact with a local Register Office.

Funeral costs

The costs of arranging a funeral can include:

• Funeral director fees
• Local authority fees [PDF], such as burial or cremation fees
• Cemetery fees [PDF]
• Headstone or plaque
• Newspaper announcement or obituary
• Ceremony at local church or place of worship
• Flowers
• Catering for guests
• Papersheets with hymns

A funeral director should be able to cover several of these costs within their budget.

Information extracted from Perfect Funeral Plans.