DIY Funeral

1. Caring for the deceased at home

In most cases, a funeral director will be called to collect and bring the deceased into their care until the funeral.

For a DIY funeral, the person who has passed can be cared for in the home but only up until about a week.

The body will need to be kept as cool as possible, perhaps by using ice packs or air conditioning.

If they passed away at home, a doctor or ambulance should be called as they will need to sign the Medical Certificate Cause of Death. If not, the hospital or hospice can provide this.

If caring for the deceased at home poses any issues, then you may wish to arrange for the body to be kept in a mortuary until the day of the funeral. This could be at the hospital, hospice or funeral home.

2. Register the death

A death must be registered within 5 days (except for deaths which have been referred to a coroner). 

Pre-Covid-19, this had to be done in person at the registry office. Post-Covid-19, you may have to register the death over the phone.

The registrar will require the signed medical certificate and information about the person who has passed.

Once you’ve registered the death, you’ll receive a ‘certificate for a burial’ for burial or an application for cremation (or Form 1 in England and Wales or Form A in Scotland) which you’ll need to complete and give to the crematorium.

Funeral arrangements can commence once you have all the necessary paperwork.

3. Buy a coffin or shroud

A coffin (or shroud) can be purchased online by individuals arranging a DIY funeral.

However, it may be sensible to check with the crematorium or cemetery first as to which type of coffins they allow.

There are hundreds of different types of coffins made from a wide range of materials.

Cardboard coffins are the most basic and these cost from just £99.

If you’re arranging a DIY natural burial then you will need to purchase a coffin made from eco-friendly materials, such as cardboard, wicker or bamboo.

Or you could purchase a shroud which will be made from a biodegradable material such as wool, cotton or silk.

Also, to ensure that the coffin (or shroud) is suitable, you’ll need to take into account the height and weight of the person who has passed. The coffin provider may request measurements of the body.

Delivery could be arranged to the home or to the company caring for the deceased.

4. Book the crematorium or cemetery

When booking the funeral, you may need to consider the following:

• Whether you have allowed enough time to gather the required paperwork
• If coffin or shroud has been ordered and will be delivered in time
• Will the florist have the flower arrangements ready
• Has suitable transport been organised (see step 4)
• If holding the service at a different venue, has this been booked
• Who will lead the service and are they available (unless the service is family-led)
• What the deceased will be wearing and whether it is suitable for cremation or burial
• Has an obituary has been arranged

Cremation

To book the crematorium for the cremation you’ll need to provide them with the following forms:

• Application for cremation
• Medical certificate (not required if the coroner has issued a certificate)
• Registry of Death

The crematorium may also have their own forms for you to fill in which will provide them with instructions for the funeral and for the ashes.

You’ll need to mutually agree on a time and date for the funeral and book in the service at the chapel, unless you’re holding the service at a separate venue, such as at a church.

A service usually lasts up to 45 minutes but can be longer at an additional cost.

Other considerations:

• You may wish to purchase an urn for the ashes, as these are usually returned in a simple container
• You may wish to purchase a plot at a cemetery to bury the ashes or you may wish to scatter the ashes at a sentimental location

Burial

The following forms are required before a burial can take place:

• Notice of burial
• Registry of Death
• Exclusive Right of Burial Deed (lease of the burial plot)

The cemetery owner can help you arrange the purchase of a lease and help you choose where the burial plot itself should be.

You’ll also need to mutually agree on a time and date for the funeral and book in the service at the church, unless you’re holding the service at a separate venue, such as at the cemetery chapel.

A service usually lasts up to 45 minutes but can be longer at an additional cost.

Other considerations:

• You’ll need to purchase a memorial to mark the grave (except for natural burial)

5. Organise suitable transport

Transporting the body to where the funeral is taking place will require an estate car or van.

If you prefer, a traditional hearse and driver could be hired and this doesn’t need to go through a funeral director.

There are alternative hearses available too, for example, a horse-drawn carriage or even a motorcycle (although these may cost a little more).

You’ll also need to consider how family members will be getting to and from the service.

If you’re on a budget, they could take their own transport or rent a minibus.

For a bit more luxury, you could hire a limousine or executive car.

6. Arrange the funeral service (and decide who will lead)

The DIY funeral service could be organised by family members and led by themselves for a truly personalised experience.

However, it’s important to stick to an order of service and ensure that the ceremony is wrapped up within 45 minutes (or the amount of time you are booked in for).

The other option is to hire a professional, such as a minister or celebrant, to lead the service.

A ceremony may be religious or non-religious and may include:

• Readings/speeches
• Hymns
• Prayers
• Songs
• A eulogy

The Good Funeral Guide provide this ‘Construct the Ceremony' template, which you could use as a guide.

7. Organise the wake (if you’re having one)

The wake is the less formal part of a funeral and doesn’t have to take any particular structure.

You can hold a wake at someone’s home, a nearby pub or hotel, town hall, or social club. Pretty much anywhere you’d like. Just advise your guests where this will be beforehand.

You may wish to plan ahead as to what will take place at the wake, for example, if there will be more music, singing and/or other tributes.

You may also need to organise food and refreshments for the event.