How to preplan your funeral
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- March 21, 2025
Preplanning a funeral might not be something you’re ready to think about now, but it’s one of the kindest things you can do for your loved ones.
By making these important decisions while you’re still alive, you free your family and friends from difficult choices after you pass away. It also gives you the chance to request your personal wishes, making your last farewell truly reflect who you are. Here’s how to fill in the details.
- Burial or cremation?
One of the first decisions to make is whether you prefer burial or cremation, or if you’d like to explore alternatives such as a green burial or donation to medical science.
If you’re taken by the idea of being connected to nature for the rest of your time on earth, a green burial could make a comforting choice. You’ll be buried in the ground in a vast green space with no headstones. Many green burial sites simply look like open pastures, not cemeteries.
Each option involves different processes. If you choose a burial, you might need to choose a cemetery or buy your plot years before you die. If you’re cremated, it’s worth thinking about what you’d like to happen to your ashes.
- Consider the costs
Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding the fact that funerals can be really expensive.
Traditional burials can be costly due to resources like the plot, coffin, headstone and procession arrangements. While direct cremation can be more affordable, prices vary according to the service and location you choose.
If you wouldn’t like either of the typical choices and you’re not sure about a green burial either, you could go for an unconventional route. Donating your body to science is free, and the London Anatomy Office receives around 350 donated bodies every year.
- Choose the type of service
The way your service is carried out is as personal as the decisions you make for your body. You might prefer a more traditional funeral service in a church, or perhaps you’ll go for a graveside ceremony with just your closest family.
A memorial gathering may feel more light-hearted if you’d prefer an informal celebration of your life. Traditional funerals typically follow a certain order, starting at a place of worship and then followed by burial or cremation.
Think about your personality, beliefs, and any family traditions that you’d like to respect after you die. You might prefer something completely non-traditional if you’re not religious.
- Choose a funeral director and venue
When you’re choosing a funeral director, it’s important to compare prices now and get a quote locked in. While it’s difficult to get a sense of the service quality without attending a funeral, you could ask family and friends for local recommendations.
The venue for the wake makes a difference for your family too. You could hold the service somewhere informal too, perhaps at a family home, a favourite pub, or even outside in a country park. What matters most is choosing somewhere that sits within your budget and feels comfortable.
- Add personal touches
Finally, don’t forget that a funeral is a chance to celebrate your personality and all the stories of your life. Personal touches make all the difference.
You could take the time to choose music, readings and flowers now, or perhaps even request donations to a charity that’s close to your heart. No matter which details you request for the service, just make sure they feel right for you.
Writing down your preferences and sharing them with family now means that your wishes will be certain. This reduces the chance of confusion and means you’ll get a beautiful and personal send-off.
Image by Carolyn Booth from Pixabay
