Guidance, support
and advice
A simple guide to help you through the steps involved when someone close to you dies and it falls to you to make the necessary arrangements.
We know at a time like this organising a funeral can feel overwhelming and knowing where to start or what to cover can be confusing. You may have many questions. We hope this simple guide will answer most of those and help you through the necessary steps involved in organising a funeral that is just right for the person you have lost.
WHAT TO DO AFTER SOMEONE DIES?
step 1
The Medical certificate
Get a medical certificate from a GP or hospital doctor. You’ll need this certificate to register
the death.
step 2
Register the death
Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You’ll then get the documents you need for the funeral.
step 3
Find a funeral Director
Once contacted, your chosen Funeral Director will assist you with the deceased and begin the process of arranging the funeral.
Choose the type of funeral that fits the deceased values and beliefs
step 4
Choice of Funeral
Choosing the type of funeral that fits the deceased values, religion and beliefs
A burial
The coffin is laid to rest in the ground. If burial is your preferred option, your main decision is which cemetery to choose. Your funeral director can help you check local regulations and availability.
A cremation
The coffin is burnt and ashes collected. If cremation is your preferred option, your main decision is which crematorium to choose. Your funeral director can help you check local regulations and availability.
A woodland burial
The coffin is laid to rest in the ground of a designated woodland burial site. A natural alternative to a traditional cemetery, with a sustainably sourced coffin and natural memorial.
step 5
Type of Service
The service is an opportunity to say goodbye in your own way – a special tribute to the life you are honouring
Religious
The service follows the rites of a particular religion at an established place of worship followed by burial or cremation.
Contemporary
The service retains an element of religion, whether it be a hymn or a prayer and often led by a celebrant.
Humanist
The service focuses exclusively on the unique life of the deceased with no reference to a deity or afterlife.
step 6
Selecting the Coffin
Beyond the practical housing of the body, the coffin is an essential part of the funeral. With the coffin playing a central role in the funeral, personalisation is becoming very popular helping you celebrate the unique life of your loved one and their values.
There are a lot of different options available including solid wood, wood veneer, willow, bamboo or even wool. Below is a quick guide to the different ranges J C Atkinson offer. Press here to view the entire range.
Did you know you can
Offset the CO2
Greener Goodbyes helps you to model a funeral, including a coffin or casket choice, and calculate its carbon footprint. From the results, you can then choose to offset the emissions by supporting several established and accredited projects.
Visit the Greener Goodbyes website for more detailsMaking the funeral more personal
There are a lot of decisions to make in a short space of time. You may be starting from scratch or perhaps your loved one has left detailed wishes about what they would like. Either way, here are the main things to consider.
Transport
In addition to a hearse to transport the coffin (and there is lots of choice for these now), how will you, along with close family and friends travel to the service? Will it be for a burial or cremation service? Will you need to book extra cars for people, or share the route and addresses in advance so they can make their own arrangements?
Flowers
If people want to send flowers, discuss with your funeral director where these should be sent and by when. You may decide to ask people not to organise flowers but to make a donation to a chosen charity instead. Think about which charities best fit with the deceased’s values and beliefs and let people know how to donate, be that online or a collection at the service.
Music
Often people have music at the funeral service and cremation. You might need to book an organist, choose to organise other live music or arrange to play favourite recordings. Whatever your choice, check that the equipment and people you need are available.
Stationery
When contacting people with the details of the funeral, consider the timescales and costs involved if you intend to send invitations by post. Putting together an order of service is also common, and can include personal tributes. Perhaps a family member or friend to help with this.
Press notices
Some people choose to announce a death or publicise the details of the funeral service in a newspaper’s obituary column. Before you write anything, contact the relevant newspaper to find out about length restrictions, deadlines and costs.
Funeral reception
Funeral receptions give friends and family the chance to spend time together and remember the person who died in a more casual setting. This can be at the family’s home or a hired hall, restaurant or other venue. If you would like people to attend, include this information when you let them know about the service.
Memorial
Some people choose to have a memorial service in addition to or instead of a funeral service. This can allow a wider group of friends and family to gather together to remember and celebrate the person’s life or because the funeral service they have chosen happened quickly or was made up of just those closest to the person who has died. Memorials can take place anywhere.
Catering arrangements
If you do have a reception or memorial after the funeral, what refreshments will be available for people? Do you need professional caterers or will you do it yourself in advance? Think about what’s possible in the timescales and within your budget and let people know if you are catering for them when you share details of the service and at the end of the programme.