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How to Arrange a Funeral

Organising a funeral can be a traumatic and stressful, not to mention costly affair. Like any forward planning, it is worth considering what sort of funeral you or your relative want and what you wish to happen to your or your loved one’s body, if possible before the event happens.

Britain’s funeral business is worth £1 billion a year and is currently self regulating but there have been demands that it be more strictly controlled. The growing commercialisation of funerals and the large number of small family firms of funeral directors being taken over by conglomerates has resulted in an increasing number of people considering other options which can offer a more personalised feel, such as those at woodland burial sites.

The other option of course is do it yourself. Historically that is how families used to care for their dead, and there’s no law at all to say you can’t – see the page below on DIY funerals.


Using a Funeral Director


DIY Funeral


How to pay for a funeral

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take To Get A Coroners Report?

How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Dead Body?

30 thoughts on “How to Arrange a Funeral”

  1. like the web site, wonder if you can help with question? my late Mother purchased three plots,in 1996 and subsequently died in 2005, and at the time of the funeral,prior to the service was asked if i would like to when i died? be buried on the right or left? I chose the left, and recently to my horror,discovered that person unknown,had been buried in my plot! have had to use the service of a solicitor, as council know they have made a mistake,and offered unwelcome alternative solutions ie move my Mam along and the person next to her as well! this I have refused,and have so far payed £300 pound in Litigation fees,and Direct line have saaid if I can show if I have third party rights? they will cover costs, in regards to breach of contract! how as the only child, and main benefactor, of the late estate, establish this? as my Mother and family wanted to buried next to her?

  2. As Above, and just would like to know, how can a local Council can bury unknown person in a plot already reserved?

  3. FacingBereavement

    @Val. It depends on the current council rate for plots in that cemetery and whether there demand for plots is high.

  4. I have recently discovered a certificate of a burial plot purchased in 1946 by my aunt who passed away 3 yrs ago and was cremated. My questions are firstly I know her husband would have purchased one at the same time but we have no paperwork so are unable to trace a burial plot and secondly how do we go about selling it?

  5. FacingBereavement

    @Bev – In response to your question:
    I have recently discovered a certificate of a burial plot purchased in 1946 by my aunt who passed away 3 yrs ago and was cremated. My questions are firstly I know her husband would have purchased one at the same time but we have no paperwork so are unable to trace a burial plot and secondly how do we go about selling it?

    Test anwer

  6. My sister in law bought an exclusive right of burial to be buried with her husband in Northam Cemetery, the right has unfortunately run out of date in 2015, how do I reinstate this and is it possible to do so. many thanks for your co-operation.

  7. FacingBereavement
    john – Your Question:

    My sister in law bought an exclusive right of burial to be buried with her husband in Northam Cemetery, the right has unfortunately run out of date in 2015, how do I reinstate this and is it possible to do so.many thanks for your co-operation.


    Our Response:

    The best thing to do would be for your sister in law to contact Torridge District Council cemetery services 01237 428700

  8. FacingBereavement
    Barlow – Your Question:

    How much is it to buy a plot and how do I go about it thank u


    Our Response:

    Check with your local council’s cemetery and burials department. They will be able to tell you about availability and cost.

  9. Hi my grandaughter died in 2017 i rang council enquiring about her plot but was told someone had already payed for this how do i go about finding out who payed for this im going out my mind as it wasnt any family members thanks

  10. I have purchased lease on grave plot for two people, it is apparently for 100 years, what I can not get an answer to is, does the 100 years start from the date of sale or when the first burial, probably mine goes ahead

  11. If I paid for the plot for my mums ashes can I stop stepfathers ases going in the plot

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