How to arrange a funeral

A funeral is the last chance to say goodbye to a loved one and will be a very emotional time. You don’t have to use a funeral director however many people find they need assistance in organising the funeral and your Funeral Director will carry out all the practical arrangements required to relieve the bereaved of these duties.

Everyone is an individual, and when starting to arrange a funeral, it may be your wishes to reflect the life of the deceased throughout the ceremony, by making reference to their hobbies, interests, career or life experiences. Most aspects of a funeral can be adapted according to your wishes, and your funeral director will guide you through the process to help you achieve a ceremony that is right for you and the deceased. Choosing suitable music for the service is an important aspect of the funeral and will help to reflect the deceased's life and allow those attending the funeral service to make a connection with them.

There are many customs and practices of the various religions, cultural and ethnic heritages. Your funeral director will work with you to fulfil the requirements of your faith. If you prefer a non-religious service, your funeral director can arrange for a Humanist or Civil Celebrant to officiate at the funeral, and a committal without any form of remembrance can also be arranged.

There are also some administrative and legal steps that need to be carried out and again, your funeral director will be able to talk you through what you need to do.

Your funeral arranger can also help with arranging and composing obituaries and announcements of the death and/or funeral for publication in local and national newspapers.

You may also wish to have flowers and many funeral directors have their own floral departments to deal with this. Alternatively, if required, your funeral director can organise the collection of donations to your chosen charities instead of flowers.

It’s important to feel confident that you, and the person who has died, will be professionally and compassionately cared for and that the services offered are both within your budget and include a range of choices that are right for you. Take your time and talk to several NAFD members to find the one that you feel most comfortable with. If you find this difficult to do, why not ask a friend or relative to help with initial enquiries? Many NAFD members now publish prices and details of services online, or will email copies of their brochure, offering a chance to think about what you might want and check how much it might cost before meeting with the funeral director in person.

NAFD members will always happy to sit down with you, offer no-obligation advice about the wide variety of options available, and provide a comprehensive written quote for you to take away and consider.