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Planning A Funeral

  • Complete 9-step funeral planning guide
  • Average UK funeral costs £4,000-£5,000
  • Life insurance can cover funeral expenses
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Planning A Funeral

Your complete 9-step guide to planning a funeral in the UK. Planning a funeral is never easy, but this comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything from registering the death and hiring a funeral director to choosing between cremation or burial, planning the service, and covering the costs. Average UK funeral costs range from £3,500-£4,500 for basic cremation to £4,500-£6,000 for burial, with full-service funerals reaching £5,000-£9,000. Life insurance like over 50s plans (£2,000-£20,000 cover, guaranteed acceptance ages 50-85) can cover funeral expenses and ease financial stress on your family during an already difficult time.

By: Rosie Ritchie Protection Expert Updated: 5th January 2026

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Your 9-step guide on how to plan a funeral

Planning a funeral will never be an easy task. But we’ve put together this planning a funeral checklist and detailed guide to assist you begin with the necessary arrangements.

Here are the key steps to planning a funeral when someone passes away:

1. Register the deathto obtain the death certificate

2. Check if they have left any funeral instructions in their Will (or elsewhere)

3. Check if they had life insuranceor a prepaid funeral plan to contribute towards the cost and if not, think about your budget and how you’ll cover the funeral

4. Hire a suitable funeral director(if you wish to use one)

5. Decide if it will be a cremation or burial

6. Choose the coffin(traditional, eco-friendly, personalised etc)

7. Decide the type of funeral service(religious, non-religious etc)

8. Choose the funeral venue(place of worship, chapel, burial site etc)

9. Organise transport for the family to and from the service(limousines, taxis etc)

10. Choose the flower arrangements (or pick a charity for donations)

11. Plan the service details(dress code, funeral music, readings, eulogy etc)

12. Create the order of service

13. Book the venue and catering for the wake(if you’re having one)

14. Send out invitations(e.g. phone, email, social media etc)

Continue reading as we guide you through the process of arranging a funeral, from obtaining the right paperwork after someone passes away, to covering the funeral cost.

As mentioned above, it’s worth checking if your loved one had arranged life insurance before they passed away, such asover 50s life insurance.

If they have a policy in place, then you could make a claim to receive the guaranteed cash payout to contribute towards their funeral expenses.

Planning a funeral and finding payment for the funeral can raise thoughts of your own funeral in the future.

If you’d like to help protect your family from inevitable funeral expenses, then you may consider over 50s life insurance through LifePro.

You could secure up to £20,000 of cover (depending on your age, smoking status and budget), and assure a payout when the time comes.

Acceptance is guaranteed for over 50s life insurance if you’re a UK resident aged between 50 – 85 and no medical information is required.

Quotes could start from just 20p-a-day through LifePro + . Simply contact us for your complimentary quote comparison.

Why secure over 50s life insurance through LifePro?

  • Whole-of-market comparison from 50+ UK insurers
  • Expert advice from FCA-regulated advisors
  • No extra cost - insurers pay our commission
  • Fast quotes in 60 seconds
  • Support throughout your policy lifetime

How to plan a funeral

1. When to start planning a funeral »

2. How to cover a funeral »

3. Funeral director services »

4. The type of funeral service »

5. Burial or cremation? »

6. Planning a funeral service »

7. Planning a funeral reception »

8. How long is a funeral? »

9. The cost of a funeral»

Continue reading as we run through each step and outline all the things to consider when planning a funeral...

How much over 50 life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments below to understand the level of over 50 life insurance you require.

The amount of life insurance you need depends on your financial obligations and what you want to provide for your loved ones. A common rule of thumb is to have cover worth 10 times your annual salary, though your individual circumstances may require more or less.

Consider the following when calculating your life insurance needs:

  • Outstanding mortgage balance
  • Other debts and loans
  • Income replacement for your family (typically 5-10 years of salary)
  • Children's education costs
  • Funeral expenses (typically £4,000-£10,000)
  • Any specific financial goals for your dependents

For example, if you have a £200,000 mortgage, earn £40,000 per year, and want to provide 10 years of income replacement, you might need around £600,000 of cover (£200,000 + (£40,000 × 10)).

Use our free comparison tool to get personalised quotes from 50+ UK insurers, including Planning A Funeral, and find the right level of cover for your needs at the best available price.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a funeral cost in the UK?

Average funeral costs in UK (2025): Basic cremation funeral: £3,500-£4,500, Basic burial funeral: £4,500-£6,000, Full-service cremation with wake: £5,000-£7,000, Full-service burial with wake: £6,000-£9,000, Direct cremation (no service): £900-£1,500. These include funeral director fees, coffin, venue, transport, flowers. Additional costs: Headstone £500-£2,000+, Catering £200-£1,000+.

Who legally has to pay for a funeral?

In UK law, responsibility falls to: 1) Person named in deceased's will as executor, 2) Next of kin (spouse, civil partner, children, parents, siblings), 3) If no family, local council arranges basic funeral. Payment can come from: Deceased's estate (bank accounts, assets), Life insurance payout, Funeral plan (if prepaid), Family contributions, Funeral Payment from DWP (if eligible). Executor can claim costs back from estate before distributing inheritance.

What is the cheapest type of funeral?

Direct cremation is cheapest at £900-£1,500. This includes: Collection of deceased, Simple coffin, Cremation fees, Return of ashes. Does NOT include: Funeral service, Viewing, Flowers, Expensive coffin, Limousines. Family can hold separate memorial later. Saves 50-70% vs traditional funeral. Many now choose direct cremation for affordability while still honoring loved one.

Can life insurance pay for funeral costs?

Yes, life insurance is commonly used to cover funeral expenses. Options: Over 50s life insurance: £2,000-£20,000 cover, guaranteed acceptance, pays within 7-14 days. Standard life insurance: Higher cover amounts if you have existing policy. Whole of life insurance: Specifically designed for funeral costs, pays at any age. Funeral plan: Pre-paid funeral (not insurance), locks in today's prices. Life insurance gives family cash flexibility to choose funeral arrangements.

How long does it take to arrange a funeral?

Typical UK funeral timeline: Death → Register death within 5 days → Arrange funeral 7-14 days after death. Most funerals held 1-2 weeks after death. This allows time for: Registering death and obtaining certificates, Arranging funeral director, Booking crematorium/burial plot (availability varies), Notifying family and friends, Planning service details. Can be quicker (3-5 days) for direct cremation. May be longer if coroner investigation or waiting for overseas family.

Do I need a funeral director?

No, funeral directors are optional but commonly used (95% of UK funerals). Benefits of using funeral director: Handle logistics and paperwork, Provide coffin and transport, Coordinate with crematorium/cemetery, Arrange flowers, service details, Support and guidance through process. DIY funeral (without director): Legal and possible, Must handle all arrangements yourself, Saves £1,500-£3,000 in director fees, Requires significant time and knowledge. Most families use directors for peace of mind during difficult time.

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