You know that a good funeral reflects personality. You want a fitting farewell to a much-loved parent, friend or partner. Or you want to relieve the burden on your loved ones when you die… but how exactly do you plan your own funeral?
We help you take a proper look at the important things in your life that help personalise your funeral. Browse a while and consider the options, then discuss your choices with those you love or leave notes to help them understand your wishes.
How to Plan a Funeral
Whether the funeral is for you or a loved one you need to consider the same details.
Start with the kind of ceremony, for example:
- a Formal Funeral (eg in church with black dress and funeral attendants)
- a more relaxed, or Green, burial ceremony in a less formal venue
- a Thanksgiving, Memorial Service or Life Celebration (which can be held separately from the funeral itself)
- or a simple and practical ceremony with minimum fuss and cost?
Then think about what you want to happen to your body:
The rest of your plans will come together once you have made these initial decisions.
Make sure you think about what the person would have wanted, but also consider what will most help those left behind. Your decisions on funeral location, words and music, food and atmosphere (from things like flowers and stationery) will be easily made if the wishes of the deceased are known, which is why we strongly recommend that everyone should write down their Will and Wishes.
Think, too, about how that person would best like to be remembered. Our Memorial pages have loads of good ideas, from living plants to specialist jewellery, showing that remembering a loved on can be a heartwarming experience.
Click the menu for more ideas and useful contacts.