Complete Funeral Planning Checklist UK 2026

What is included in a funeral planning checklist?

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.

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Quick Summary

✓Complete timeline: Immediate tasks through to funeral day
✓Budget planning: Track costs from £3,500 to £5,500+
✓Who to involve: Family, professionals, and authorities
✓Step-by-step checklist below

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.

Immediate Tasks (Within 24-48 Hours)

These are the first actions to take immediately after a death occurs.

Get a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

The doctor who attended the deceased, or the hospital, will provide this certificate. It's required before you can register the death.

Who to contact: GP, hospital doctor, or on-call doctor

Contact a Funeral Director

A funeral director can collect the deceased from the hospital, care home, or home. They'll also guide you through the entire process.

Pro tip: Get quotes from 3 funeral directors before committing. Prices vary significantly.

Notify Close Family

Inform immediate family members and close friends. Consider who should be told in person vs. by phone.

Consider: Delegate this task to family members if you're overwhelmed

Secure the Property

If the deceased lived alone, secure their home. Collect valuables, stop the newspaper, and notify neighbors if appropriate.

Important: Notify their home insurance company if the property will be empty

Within First Week: Registration and Planning

These tasks typically happen in the first 3-5 days after death.

Register the Death

Must be done within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). Book an appointment with the local Register Office.

You'll need: Medical certificate, deceased's birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), NHS medical card

Choose Burial or Cremation

Decide based on the deceased's wishes, religious beliefs, budget, and family preferences. See our burial vs cremation guide for help deciding.

Cost difference: Burial: £4,000-£5,500 | Cremation: £3,500-£4,200

Book Funeral Date and Venue

Coordinate with the funeral director, crematorium/cemetery, and celebrant to find a suitable date (typically 2-3 weeks ahead).

Tip: Book early for popular dates or peak periods (e.g., around Christmas)

Choose a Celebrant

Book a religious minister or humanist celebrant to lead the service. Your funeral director can recommend someone.

Cost: £200-£400 typically

Notify Banks and Financial Institutions

Inform banks, building societies, pension providers, and insurance companies. Request closure or transfer of accounts.

Note: Some accounts may be frozen until probate is granted

Week 1-2: Service Planning and Notifications

Plan the Service

Meet with the celebrant to discuss the service structure, readings, music, and who will speak.

→ Choose entrance and exit music
→ Select readings or poems
→ Decide who will give eulogies
→ Choose hymns (if religious service)
→ Plan any special tributes or rituals

Choose a Coffin

Select from wood, wicker, cardboard, or other materials. Your funeral director will show you options.

Price range: £200 (basic) to £3,000+ (premium)

Order Flowers

Arrange family flowers or wreaths. You can also request donations to charity instead of flowers.

Typical cost: £150-£500 for arrangements

Design Order of Service

Create printed programs for attendees with the service order, readings, music, and a photo of the deceased.

Options: DIY printing or professional service (£50-£200 for 50-100 copies)

Send Funeral Notifications

Notify extended family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community about the funeral details.

→ Send personal invitations to close friends/family
→ Post death notice in local newspaper (optional)
→ Share details via email or social media
→ Include date, time, venue, and dress code

Plan the Wake

Book a venue for the reception after the funeral (pub, hotel, community hall, or home).

Budget: £400-£1,500 for venue and catering

Notify Government Agencies

Use the Tell Us Once service to notify multiple government departments in one go.

→ HMRC (tax)
→ DWP (benefits, pensions)
→ DVLA (driving license)
→ Passport Office
→ Local council (Council Tax, housing benefit)

Final Week: Last Preparations

Confirm All Arrangements

Double-check all bookings with funeral director, celebrant, venue, and caterers.

Prepare Eulogies

Write and practice any speeches or tributes. Keep them 3-5 minutes each.

Arrange Guest Accommodation

Help traveling family members with hotel bookings or arrange accommodation with relatives.

Print Orders of Service

Finalize and print enough copies for all expected attendees (add 20% extra).

Prepare Music Playlist

Provide music files to the venue or funeral director. Confirm audio equipment works.

Organize Transport

Confirm hearse and limousine arrangements. Arrange transport for family members who need it.

Funeral Day Checklist

Morning

□Arrive at funeral home or home early
□Final viewing if arranged
□Ensure all family members are ready and collected
□Bring tissues, orders of service, and any readings

Service

□Arrive at venue 15-20 minutes before service
□Greet attendees as they arrive
□Hand out orders of service
□Brief speakers on timing and order
□Check audio equipment is working

After Service

□Thank celebrant and funeral director
□Direct guests to wake venue
□Collect flowers and donations
□Speak to as many attendees as possible
□Make note of who attended (for thank you cards)

Who to Involve

Professionals

→Funeral Director: Coordinates everything
→Celebrant/Minister: Leads the service
→Solicitor: Handles will and probate
→Florist: Arranges flowers
→Caterer: Provides wake refreshments

Family Roles

→Next of kin: Main decision maker
→Executor: Manages estate (if will exists)
→Speakers: Deliver eulogies
→Pallbearers: Carry coffin (4-6 people)
→Support team: Help with planning and logistics

Budget Planning

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+	£_____

Ways to Reduce Costs

→Compare quotes from 3+ funeral directors
→Choose cremation over burial (typically £1,000 less)
→Consider direct cremation (£1,000-£1,800 total)
→Select a simpler coffin (£200-£500 vs £1,000+)
→DIY order of service printing
→Hold wake at home instead of hiring venue
→Request donations instead of flowers

Downloadable Checklist

Get Your Free Printable Funeral Planning Checklist

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.

After the Funeral

The administrative tasks don't end with the funeral. Here's what typically needs to be done afterward:

Send Thank You Cards

Thank those who attended, sent flowers, or made donations. Do this within 2-4 weeks.

Pay Outstanding Bills

Settle funeral costs, venue fees, and any other expenses.

Apply for Probate

If required, apply for Grant of Probate to access the estate and distribute assets.

Close Accounts

Continue closing bank accounts, canceling subscriptions, and settling utilities.

Organize Memorial

If you had a direct cremation, plan a separate memorial service or ash scattering.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to plan a funeral?

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.

Can I delegate tasks to other family members?

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.

What if I don't know the deceased's wishes?

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.

Do I need to register the death before booking the funeral?

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.

Complete Funeral Planning Checklist UK