Things to consider
We encourage everyone to get involved, as much or as little as they feel comfortable. Here we've listed some of the things other people have found helpful to consider when arranging a funeral.
We’re here to guide and support you, so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Care of your loved one
Is there anything you’d like the person who has died to be wearing?
Did they wear their hair or makeup in a particular way?
Did they have a favourite perfume or aftershave?
Are there any products that you’d like us to use when we care for them, such as a favourite lipstick or bath oil?
Would you like a lock of their hair?
Would you like to be involved in caring for them?
Is there anything you’d like us to place in their coffin with them? Such as a favourite book, a letter or some treasured photographs?
Time with your loved one
Would you like to have some time with the person who has died?
Is there anything you’d like to bring with you to put in the coffin with them?
Would you like to be involved with closing the lid of the coffin?
The funeral
Would you like to announce the funeral online? You can see an example here.
Would you like to set up a MuchLoved or JustGiving page to track donations?
Would you like the funeral to be photographed, filmed or livestreamed?
Who would you like to give out the orders of service? Are there any children who might like to?
Would you like to meet the hearse at the entrance to the cemetery/crematorium and walk the hearse to the chapel (either in front of behind), instead of the funeral director?
Would you like friends and family to carry the coffin?
During the ceremony
Would you like the people who are attending the ceremony to be able to go up to the coffin and say goodbye?
Would you like to place a flower on the coffin, and encourage others to do the same?
Would you like to include children in the ceremony by giving them something to do? Perhaps singing a song, placing a drawing on the coffin or carrying flowers into the chapel.
If the person who has died is being buried
Is there anything you’d like to sprinkle/ throw into the grave? Such as letters flowers, petals or sprigs of rosemary and lavender.
If the person who has died is being cremated
Would you like to watch the charging of the coffin (when the coffin goes into the cremator and the cremation process begins)?
What would you like to happen to the flowers after the funeral? Would you like to display them on the flower terrace, take them home with you or perhaps give them out to those in attendance?