Losing a loved one can be a difficult time. Death is distressing to the surviving family and unfortunately, the administrative procedures which must be followed can be an additional unwelcome burden. These pages are designed to provide some useful help and advice with the arrangements for dealing with a death.
Funeral Arrangements
When the death certificate has been issued by the Registrar, you will also be given a certificate authorising the funeral to take place.
The choice of a firm of funeral directors is important as you should feel comfortable and confident with them. They may be known to you personally, may be recommended by a friend, your GP or religious adviser or may just have a good reputation in your area.
To assist you with your choice see list of local Funeral Directors.
The Municipal Funeral Service is a service provided, at low cost to the customer.
All have a code of practice and should give you an estimate of costs - their own and those fees they will pay on your behalf and add to the account. You can ask for this estimate in advance and it's a good idea to ask different firms to quote so that you can compare costs.
Your funeral director can make all the arrangements for the funeral, burial or cremation, religious or secular service. The funeral director can also advise on all the procedures and documents needed to register the death.
If you are considering a headstone most cemeteries will advise to wait and contemplate for a period of approximately six months before placing it. However, we suggest you contact your preferred choice of monumental mason as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delay after this waiting period.
For further information see Directgov webpage on arranging a funeral.
Non-Religious Services
There is no requirement to have a religious ceremony, or any kind of ceremony at all at a funeral. People that regard religion to be unimportant or have made a decision to live their lives without it may prefer a Humanist Ceremony.
This type of ceremony is not intended to oppose a religious funeral, but to provide a dignified and respectful celebration of the life of the deceased.
At this type of funeral the services of an officiant, on the lines of a minister or celebrant are commonly employed. They will conduct the proceedings which can involve readings of appropriate prose, tributes by attendees or the officiant and the playing of appropriate music.
The British Humanist Association offers advice on all aspects of humanist ceremonies for more information you can buy online their booklet Funerals Without God: A Practical Guide to Non-religious Funerals.
Celebrants are trained professionals who can officiate at funerals, weddings, namings or any other rite of passage. For more information on celebrancy visit The International Federation of Celebrants.
If you don't want a ceremony at all, members of the family or close friends can attend the committal, which can be in silence or with some music being played.
Non-Church of England Funerals
If you have to arrange a funeral for someone who is of a faith different from your own, it is important to contact the equivalent of the local priest of the denomination to find out what needs to be done.
Non-Christian and Minority Group Funerals
A brief word on the practices of other faiths is included below;
Muslims
Most Muslim communities appoint one person who is responsible for making funeral arrangements. It will be their job to advise of the rules and to select a suitable funeral director.
Hindus
Hindus are always cremated, and never buried. There are many possible variations of rites which depend on their form of Hinduism. The Asian Funeral Service can give advice on and arrange Hindu Funerals, telephone: 020 8909 3737 or write to Asian Funeral Service, 209 Kenton Road, Harrow HA3 0HD.
Jews
Jewish funerals are usually arranged by a dedicated Jewish Funeral Agency, or the local community may have a contract with a Gentile funeral service, which will be carried out under strict rabbinical control.
Bereavement Services Office
