Funeral Planning Resources

Funeral Planning Checklist

This is not an exhaustive list, and you certainly don’t need to do everything on the list, but this will give you an idea of the things you might need to think about.  There are no legal requirements to engage a funeral director or a minister/celebrant. You can, if you wish, do the whole thing yourself.

However, a good funeral director  will assist with any or all of these details, and a minister or celebrant will help you or your loved ones plan the funeral service and its contents at an emotionally delicate time.

• Choose a funeral director. Hospice in the Weald can provide you with a list of funeral directors in our catchment area.

• Choose between burial and cremation

• Choose a burial site or crematorium

• Choose the location of the service

• Choose whether to arrange family viewing

• Plan and write an obituary

• Transport for those attending funeral

• Invite family and friends

• Choose a coffin/casket/urn

• Choose flowers

• Choose outfit for deceased

• Pick a photograph to be shown at funeral

• Organise the Order of service

• Choose hymns and/or music

• Choose poems, passages of scripture  or other readings

• Write the eulogy

Links to funeral planning resources

The Good Funeral Guide

The Natural Death Centre -‘How can I arrange a good funeral?’

‘Dignity’ – Religious funerals – guides to all major UK faiths

Humanists UK – ‘Non religious funeral and memorial services’

The Institute of Civil Funerals 

The Church of England – ‘Arranging a Funeral’ 

The Methodist Church – ‘Funerals’