Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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Register death within 5 days (8 in Scotland), compare 3+ funeral directors, decide burial or cremation, choose service type and venue, book date (typically 2-3 weeks after death), arrange flowers, order of service, transport, and wake. Funeral director handles body collection, crematorium booking, death notices. Budget £3,500-£4,200 cremation, £4,000-£5,500 burial.
Most funeral directors handle the practical arrangements—you make the decisions about service type, venue, and personalisation. See our complete guide to arranging a funeral for detailed information.
These are the first actions to take immediately after a death occurs.
The doctor who attended the deceased, or the hospital, will provide this certificate. It's required before you can register the death.
A funeral director can collect the deceased from the hospital, care home, or home. They'll also guide you through the entire process.
Inform immediate family members and close friends. Consider who should be told in person vs. by phone.
If the deceased lived alone, secure their home. Collect valuables, stop the newspaper, and notify neighbors if appropriate.
These tasks typically happen in the first 3-5 days after death.
Must be done within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). Book an appointment with the local Register Office.
Decide based on the deceased's wishes, religious beliefs, budget, and family preferences. See our burial vs cremation guide for help deciding.
Coordinate with the funeral director, crematorium/cemetery, and celebrant to find a suitable date (typically 2-3 weeks ahead).
Book a religious minister or humanist celebrant to lead the service. Your funeral director can recommend someone.
Inform banks, building societies, pension providers, and insurance companies. Request closure or transfer of accounts.
Meet with the celebrant to discuss the service structure, readings, music, and who will speak.
Select from wood, wicker, cardboard, or other materials. Your funeral director will show you options.
Arrange family flowers or wreaths. You can also request donations to charity instead of flowers.
Create printed programs for attendees with the service order, readings, music, and a photo of the deceased.
Notify extended family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community about the funeral details.
Book a venue for the reception after the funeral (pub, hotel, community hall, or home).
Use the Tell Us Once service to notify multiple government departments in one go.
Double-check all bookings with funeral director, celebrant, venue, and caterers.
Write and practice any speeches or tributes. Keep them 3-5 minutes each.
Help traveling family members with hotel bookings or arrange accommodation with relatives.
Finalize and print enough copies for all expected attendees (add 20% extra).
Provide music files to the venue or funeral director. Confirm audio equipment works.
Confirm hearse and limousine arrangements. Arrange transport for family members who need it.
Track your funeral costs using this breakdown. Prices vary by region and provider.
| Item | Budget Range | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral director fees | £1,500-£3,000 | £_____ |
| Coffin | £200-£1,500 | £_____ |
| Hearse and transport | £300-£500 | £_____ |
| Cremation fee | £800-£1,000 | £_____ |
| OR Burial plot + fees | £1,500-£5,000 | £_____ |
| Celebrant/minister | £200-£400 | £_____ |
| Flowers | £150-£500 | £_____ |
| Order of service printing | £50-£200 | £_____ |
| Death notices (newspaper) | £50-£200 | £_____ |
| Wake venue and catering | £400-£1,500 | £_____ |
| TOTAL | £3,500-£5,500+ | £_____ |
Download a PDF version of this checklist you can print and check off as you complete each task. Includes all the items above plus space for notes.
Coming soon: We're creating a downloadable version of this checklist. In the meantime, you can print this page or save it as a PDF using your browser's print function.
The administrative tasks don't end with the funeral. Here's what typically needs to be done afterward:
Thank those who attended, sent flowers, or made donations. Do this within 2-4 weeks.
Settle funeral costs, venue fees, and any other expenses.
If required, apply for Grant of Probate to access the estate and distribute assets.
Continue closing bank accounts, canceling subscriptions, and settling utilities.
If you had a direct cremation, plan a separate memorial service or ash scattering.
Most funerals are held 2-3 weeks after death. This gives time for family to travel, venues to be booked, and arrangements to be made. However, funerals can be arranged more quickly if needed (within a few days) or delayed longer if circumstances require it.
Absolutely. Funeral planning can be overwhelming. Consider assigning specific tasks: one person handles the venue, another coordinates flowers, someone else manages notifications. A funeral director can also take on many practical tasks.
Make decisions based on what you think they would have wanted, their values, religious beliefs, and what feels right for the family. Consult with close family members to reach a consensus. Most funeral directors are experienced in guiding families through these decisions.
You can start planning the funeral before registering the death, but you'll need the certificates from the registrar before the funeral can take place. Most funeral directors will guide you through the timing.
Essential questions to ask funeral directors before booking. Price transparency, service questions, red flags to watch for.
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