When someone dies in the United Kingdom, there are a number of legal considerations to take into account when arranging their funeral. In this guide we will look at the key issues surrounding the arrangement of funerals, including funding, wishes of the deceased and burial restrictions.
There are certain things that need to be done in the first few days following someone's death. A medical certificate must be obtained by a doctor. This might be the person's own doctor, or a doctor in the hospital. Once this is obtained, the death must be registered, ideally at the register office most local to where the deceased lived. After this, funeral arrangements can normally begin. A death should be registered within five days.
In the case that a death must be registered with a coroner, it will not be possible to settle on a finalized date of the funeral immediately.
Before you begin arranging the funeral, it is important that you check the deceased's will to find out if they had any special requests regarding their death or funeral. For example, they may have preferred cremation rather than burial. They may also have set aside some money in their will to pay for their funeral, or indeed may have already set up a pre-paid funeral before they passed away. The executor, however, is not required by law to follow any instructions in the will as regards funeral arrangements.
In terms of funding, if you organize the funeral, you will be expected to pay for it. If no relatives or executors exist for the deceased, a council funeral may be organized - a simple service paid for by the local council. They may claim money from the deceased's estate in this case.
If you do not have the funds to pay for a loved one's death, you may apply for a Social Fund Funeral Payment. You may qualify for this if you are on benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance or income support. Bear in mind though, it will need to be paid back from the deceased's estate.
You may arrange a funeral by yourself, or hire a professional funeral director to do this. The amount funeral directors charge will vary, so it is a good idea to get some quotes for the service - ensuring that no extras will be added. Ask for an itemized quote, covering such costs as for the coffin, cremation, doctor's certificate, flowers, staff costs, cost of moving the deceased's body, and a range of other fees. It is advisable not to rush the process of choosing a funeral director, so as to get a fair price.
Many people believe they must use a funeral director. This is not the case; many people arrange funerals without one, and can reduce the cost in doing so. This might be especially important if funds are limited.
It is important to remember that there is no set way of having a funeral, as long as the body is disposed of in accordance with UK funeral law (in official crematoriums or approved burial grounds), so the final service can be as unique and special as the person who has departed.
There are certain things that need to be done in the first few days following someone's death. A medical certificate must be obtained by a doctor. This might be the person's own doctor, or a doctor in the hospital. Once this is obtained, the death must be registered, ideally at the register office most local to where the deceased lived. After this, funeral arrangements can normally begin. A death should be registered within five days.
In the case that a death must be registered with a coroner, it will not be possible to settle on a finalized date of the funeral immediately.
Before you begin arranging the funeral, it is important that you check the deceased's will to find out if they had any special requests regarding their death or funeral. For example, they may have preferred cremation rather than burial. They may also have set aside some money in their will to pay for their funeral, or indeed may have already set up a pre-paid funeral before they passed away. The executor, however, is not required by law to follow any instructions in the will as regards funeral arrangements.
In terms of funding, if you organize the funeral, you will be expected to pay for it. If no relatives or executors exist for the deceased, a council funeral may be organized - a simple service paid for by the local council. They may claim money from the deceased's estate in this case.
If you do not have the funds to pay for a loved one's death, you may apply for a Social Fund Funeral Payment. You may qualify for this if you are on benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance or income support. Bear in mind though, it will need to be paid back from the deceased's estate.
You may arrange a funeral by yourself, or hire a professional funeral director to do this. The amount funeral directors charge will vary, so it is a good idea to get some quotes for the service - ensuring that no extras will be added. Ask for an itemized quote, covering such costs as for the coffin, cremation, doctor's certificate, flowers, staff costs, cost of moving the deceased's body, and a range of other fees. It is advisable not to rush the process of choosing a funeral director, so as to get a fair price.
Many people believe they must use a funeral director. This is not the case; many people arrange funerals without one, and can reduce the cost in doing so. This might be especially important if funds are limited.
It is important to remember that there is no set way of having a funeral, as long as the body is disposed of in accordance with UK funeral law (in official crematoriums or approved burial grounds), so the final service can be as unique and special as the person who has departed.
Written by James Sheehan, a passionate blogger with past legal experience