DIY Funeral Guide UK
A DIY funeral, also called a family-led or home funeral, means arranging the funeral yourself without using a traditional funeral director. While it requires effort and organization, it can be deeply meaningful and significantly reduce costs. This guide explains how to arrange a legal DIY funeral in the UK.
- DIY funerals can cost £1,000-£2,500 vs £4,000+ for full service
- You must register the death and obtain required permits
- Perfectly legal in UK - no requirement to use funeral director
- Requires practical organization but can be very meaningful
- Family can care for body at home before funeral
- Must book crematorium or burial ground directly
What is a DIY funeral?
A DIY funeral means the family takes responsibility for tasks usually done by funeral directors:
- Caring for the body at home or arranging storage
- Arranging transport to crematorium or cemetery
- Buying or building a coffin
- Booking venue and officiating the service
- Handling paperwork and legal requirements
- Organizing the ceremony and gathering
You can do everything yourself, or use funeral directors for specific services only (like transport or coffin supply).
How to arrange a DIY funeral: step by step
Essential steps:
- Register the death - Must be done within 5 days. Obtain death certificate and green form for burial/cremation
- Care for the body - Can keep at home on dry ice or in cool room, or arrange mortuary storage
- Book crematorium or burial plot - Contact directly to book date and time
- Obtain or make coffin - Buy online, build yourself, or use shroud (check venue requirements)
- Arrange transport - Hire van, use own vehicle, or pay funeral director for this service only
- Plan ceremony - Choose celebrant or officiate yourself, select readings and music
- Complete paperwork - Submit forms 4 days before cremation or confirm burial arrangements
- Conduct funeral - Family carries out the service with help from friends
Legal requirements for DIY funerals
It is completely legal to arrange a funeral without a funeral director in the UK:
- Death registration: Must register death and obtain death certificate
- Burial/cremation certificate: Registrar provides green form (Form 33 for cremation, certificate for burial)
- Cremation forms: Need Form 4 (medical certificate) and Form 5 (second doctor) for cremation
- Environmental Health: May need permit for home burial (very rare)
- Transport: Vehicle must safely carry coffin, but no special permit needed
- Venue booking: Crematorium or cemetery will confirm requirements
DIY funeral costs
Typical DIY funeral costs
- Crematorium or burial plot£700-£1,500
- Coffin (simple or DIY)£150-£500
- Doctor's fees (cremation forms)£164
- Transport (van hire or fuel)£50-£200
- Dry ice (if keeping body at home)£50-£100
- Celebrant (optional)£0-£350
- Flowers, orders of service, etc.£100-£300
- Total DIY funeral£1,200-£2,500
Compare with traditional funeral
- Full funeral director service£4,000-£6,000
- Potential savings£2,000-£4,000
Main savings come from not paying for funeral director's professional services, staff time, and premises costs.
Caring for the body at home
You can legally care for the deceased at home before the funeral:
- Keep body cool: Use dry ice, cooling pads, or keep room very cold (below 4°C)
- Time limits: Usually manageable for 3-5 days with proper cooling
- Dry ice suppliers: Order from specialist funeral supply companies
- Practical considerations: Body must be kept on waterproof surface
- Washing and dressing: Family can do this themselves if they wish
- Viewing: Friends and family can visit to pay respects
Help with home body care
Organizations like the Natural Death Centre offer guidance on home care. Some funeral directors provide training or consultancy services if you want professional advice while doing it yourself.
Coffin options for DIY funerals
Buy simple coffin
Purchase basic coffin online from suppliers like Greenfield Coffins, Eco Coffins UK, or DIY Coffins. Delivered flat-pack or assembled.
Cost: £200-£500
Build your own coffin
Use untreated wood and simple plans available online. Natural Death Centre provides free coffin-building guides.
Cost: £150-£300 for materials
Use shroud or body bag
Some burial grounds accept shrouds. Not usually permitted at crematoria. Must check venue requirements first.
Cost: £50-£150
Hire or borrow coffin
Some areas have coffin clubs or funeral cooperatives where you can hire reusable coffins for the service, with shroud burial.
Cost: £100-£200 hire
Practical DIY funeral checklist
Planning your DIY funeral
- Register death and obtain all required certificates
- Book crematorium or burial plot directly
- Arrange body care (home with dry ice or mortuary storage)
- Purchase or build coffin meeting venue requirements
- Arrange transport vehicle and pallbearers
- Plan ceremony, choose celebrant or family-led service
- Submit required paperwork 4+ days before cremation
Pros and cons of DIY funerals
Advantages
- ✓Significant cost savings (£2,000-£4,000 typically)
- ✓Deeply personal and meaningful family involvement
- ✓Complete control over all aspects
- ✓Can keep deceased at home for family viewing
- ✓Flexible timing and ceremony without external pressure
- ✓Can be therapeutic to actively participate in care
Considerations
- •Requires significant time, energy, and organization
- •Emotionally challenging during already difficult time
- •Must handle all paperwork and legal requirements
- •Physical demands of moving coffin (need pallbearers)
- •Home body care requires practical management and space
- •May not be suitable for complex situations or difficult deaths
- •Family may feel overwhelmed without professional support
Getting help with DIY funerals
You don't have to do everything alone. Resources include:
- Natural Death Centre: Free advice, guides, and support for DIY funerals
- Funeral cooperatives: Community groups offering equipment hire and advice
- Partial services: Hire funeral director for specific tasks (e.g., just transport)
- Online suppliers: Companies providing coffins, dry ice, and equipment
- Local crematoria: Staff can guide on specific requirements
- Family and friends: Many hands make light work - build support network
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to arrange a funeral without a funeral director?
Yes, completely legal in the UK. There's no legal requirement to use a funeral director. You just need to ensure you follow the proper registration and certification processes.
Can I transport a body in my own vehicle?
Yes, as long as the vehicle can safely carry the coffin and you drive respectfully. Estate cars or vans work well. The body must be in a coffin or properly covered.
How long can I keep a body at home?
With proper cooling (dry ice), typically 3-5 days is manageable. Longer may be possible depending on circumstances. The Natural Death Centre can advise on specific situations.
What if I start DIY but change my mind?
You can bring in a funeral director at any stage. Many offer partial services. You might do some tasks yourself and hire professionals for others - there's no all-or-nothing requirement.
Will crematoria work with DIY funeral families?
Most crematoria accept DIY funerals, though they may have specific requirements about timing, paperwork, and coffin specifications. Contact them early to understand their procedures.
Is DIY funeral suitable after hospital or coroner's death?
Yes, but you'll need to coordinate with the hospital or coroner's office for body collection. Some families use a funeral director just for transport from hospital, then arrange everything else themselves.
Consider partial DIY with professional support
Not sure about full DIY? Many funeral directors offer flexible services where you can do some tasks yourself while they handle others. Compare options to find the right balance.
Compare funeral directorsA meaningful, hands-on farewell
DIY funerals allow families to be intimately involved in caring for their loved one. While challenging, many families find this direct involvement deeply meaningful and therapeutic, creating precious final memories.
With proper planning, support from the Natural Death Centre, and help from family and friends, a DIY funeral can be both achievable and profoundly rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to arrange a funeral without a funeral director in the UK?
Yes, it is completely legal to arrange a funeral without a funeral director in the UK. There is no legal requirement to use a funeral director. You just need to ensure you follow proper death registration and certification processes.
How much can I save with a DIY funeral?
DIY funerals typically cost £1,200-£2,500 compared to £4,000-£6,000 for full funeral director services, saving £2,000-£4,000. Main savings come from not paying for professional services, staff time, and funeral director premises costs.
Can I transport a body in my own vehicle?
Yes, you can transport a body in your own vehicle as long as it can safely carry the coffin and you drive respectfully. Estate cars or vans work well. The body must be in a coffin or properly covered.
How long can I keep a body at home before a DIY funeral?
With proper cooling using dry ice, you can typically keep a body at home for 3-5 days. Longer may be possible depending on circumstances. The Natural Death Centre can advise on specific situations.
Will crematoria accept DIY funeral families?
Most crematoria accept DIY funerals, though they may have specific requirements about timing, paperwork, and coffin specifications. Contact them early in your planning to understand their procedures and requirements.
Related Guides
Arrange a Funeral
Traditional funeral planning if DIY feels too challenging
Understanding Funeral Costs
How much you'll save with DIY funeral approach
Direct Cremation
Simple alternative if DIY funeral isn't possible
Green Funeral Options
Eco-friendly choices to incorporate into DIY funeral
Woodland Burial
Natural burial sites that welcome DIY funerals
Humanist Funeral Services
Non-religious celebrant to lead DIY funeral ceremony
Choosing Burial or Cremation
Decide which option works best for DIY approach
What to Do When Someone Dies
Complete guide to death administration before funeral
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