Help with funeral costs
Who pays for a funeral, how to trace a funeral plan, and the help available, from Funeral Expenses Payment to the Children's Funeral Fund.
Arranging a funeral
We understand how difficult it can be when someone dies, especially if you're arranging the funeral. Our Funeral Directors are committed to providing the highest quality funeral services in the UK. We'll guide you through the process, helping you organise the funeral you want for your loved one.
Read our guides
Right to arrange a funeral
Who has the legal right to arrange a funeral, what happens when a family disagree, whether a friend can do it, and if you need the will first.
Funeral poems and verses
Poems and verses read at funerals – popular, short, funny and non-religious – who usually reads them, and what to do if you get upset partway.
Funeral notices
The free online notice that shares funeral details – when to publish one, what it should say, how people find it, and leaving messages or donations.
Reviews for Dignity Group
- Included:Over 200 years of caring for families
- Included:Local service from 558 branches
- Included:Funerals, plans, probate and more
Arranging a funeral
Find out all you need to know about arranging a funeral. From planning and arranging the funeral itself, to what happens before and after the funeral service.
When someone dies, there is a lot to think about, from arranging a funeral to dealing with their estate. The person may have left details about the kind of funeral they want, or you may need to plan and arrange the funeral yourself. Either way, our guide to arranging a funeral can help answer some of the questions you may have, from planning for a funeral, through to types of service and funeral costs.
Find a funeral director
Organising a funeral can seem overwhelming, especially when dealing with grief. Choosing an experienced and professional funeral director will help ease the burden and stress of arranging a funeral. At Dignity, we spend time getting to know you and the life of the person who has died, and will help you create the most fitting tribute for them. Our funeral directors are honoured to serve the local communities they are part of, with expertise and uncompromising compassion. We promise to provide unequalled support, reassurance, and attention to detail when arranging a funeral.
Our guide will help you understand some of the key things to consider when selecting a funeral home, from the cost of arranging a funeral to things to consider when making funeral plans. It is also worth knowing what to ask a funeral director before you decide, and what a funeral director actually does.
What to do before arranging a funeral
Before your funeral director can start to make funeral arrangements, they will need the certificate of registration of death and the green certificate for burial or cremation. These will be given to you by the registrar when you register the death – the process is different if you are registering a death in Scotland. Although you can choose a funeral director, arrange for them to take the person who has died into their care and start to plan a funeral, the funeral cannot take place without these forms. Our guide to what to do when someone dies will help you to understand the first steps you need to take before you can arrange a funeral.
Choose the type of funeral service
The person who has died may have left instructions about the type of funeral they wanted. If they didn't make their wishes known, you will need to decide what type of service you would like to arrange. Whether you choose a cremation or a burial, a green funeral or a traditional one, we'll be able to make the funeral arrangements on your behalf.
We can cater for any type of funeral service; from traditional religious services to personalised celebrations of life, our funeral directors will help you arrange a funeral which reflects the life of the person who has died and commemorates them in a special and unique way.
Compare funeral services
We offer two funeral choices, so you can arrange a funeral suited to you, to the wishes of the person who has died, and to your budget.
Funeral with a ceremony
A ceremony tailored to any needs and wishes, including all religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs.
- Burial or cremation, with unlimited guests
- A basic coffin and hearse included, or the option to choose something more personal
- Care in our own facilities
Funeral without a ceremony
A simpler option, without mourners present at the cremation.
- Cremation only
- A simple coffin
- Ashes returned in a simple container
How long does it take to arrange a funeral?
A funeral is typically held a few weeks after the death. However, the length of time taken to arrange a funeral may depend on a number of factors, including funeral director and crematoria availability, religious beliefs, family circumstances and even the type of funeral you decide to organise. Let your funeral director know if you need to arrange a funeral quickly or within a set time period.
The process of arranging a funeral may take longer if you need to bring someone home from, or take them to, another country. Our funeral directors can help to guide you through the process of repatriation.
Make the arrangements and plan a fitting service
A funeral is a personal event and people often have different requirements. There are a number of details to take care of, from funeral transport and the coffin, to the music, the flowers, the order of service and the eulogy.
We will do everything we can to make sure the process of arranging a funeral is as straightforward as possible, helping to plan a fitting farewell for the person who has died.
Talk it through with someone local
You don't have to work all of this out on your own. Your nearest funeral director will talk you through the choices, with no obligation and no charge for the conversation.
Create a funeral notice
Letting people know about the funeral arrangements can be quite difficult and time consuming. If you choose to arrange a funeral with us, you will be given the option of a complimentary funeral notice. Our online funeral notices service provides a simple and respectful way of sharing the details of a funeral with family and friends. A funeral notice makes it quick and easy to find out when the service is taking place and where it is being held. You can also collect online donations for a chosen charity and give people the option to send flowers. Family and friends can choose to receive notifications by email, making sure they are kept up to date if any of the funeral arrangements were to change.
Know what happens on the day
Once you've made all of the funeral arrangements, it's important to understand what happens on the day of the funeral. If you're unsure of what to expect, our funeral arrangers will explain everything you need to know.
We will guide you through each step, attending to your every need before, during, and after the service takes place.
Learn more about the funeral procession, the funeral service, the committal and the wake, and find out exactly what happens on the day of the funeral.
Make your own funeral wishes known
How much easier would it be to arrange a funeral if the person had shared their wishes? By writing down your own funeral wishes and sharing them with the people close to you, you can take away some of the uncertainty and stress, and know your life will be marked in the way you wanted.
Talk to us in person
Contact your local Dignity branch to talk to a funeral director.