Complete 7-day timeline for arranging a funeral — choosing funeral directors, burial vs cremation, costs, and religious traditions.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Funeral Planning guide cluster. Estimated reading time: 20 min.
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There is no legal deadline for a funeral in England and Wales, but most take place within 2–3 weeks of the death. The body can be kept at a funeral home's chapel of rest for several weeks if needed. In Scotland, there is a legal requirement to bury or cremate the body, but no specific timeframe. Religious traditions may specify shorter timeframes — for example, Jewish and Muslim traditions typically require burial within 24–48 hours.
The executor named in the will has the legal right to arrange the funeral. If there is no will, the next of kin (in order: spouse/civil partner, then children, then parents, then siblings) has this right. In practice, the person who arranges the funeral bears the legal responsibility for paying the funeral director's bill, though they can recover this from the estate.
Most banks will release funds directly to the funeral director to pay for the funeral, even before probate is granted. Contact the bank with the funeral director's invoice and a death certificate. This is one of the few expenses that can be paid from the estate before probate.
The death certificate is the official document confirming the death. You will need multiple certified copies — typically 8–10. Each bank, pension provider, and insurer requires its own original copy. Order more than you think you need at the time of registration — it is cheaper than ordering them later.
Yes — a 'DIY funeral' is legal in England and Wales. You can register the death, obtain the necessary paperwork, transport the body, and arrange burial or cremation yourself. However, this is complex and emotionally demanding. Most people choose to use a funeral director. If cost is a concern, consider a direct cremation or a simple funeral.
If the estate has no funds and no one can afford the funeral, the local council has a duty to arrange a basic funeral under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. This is sometimes called a 'pauper's funeral' or 'public health funeral.' It is a basic service — usually a simple cremation — with no ceremony. Contact your local council's environmental health department.
Yes — humanist and non-religious funerals are increasingly common in the UK. A humanist celebrant can lead a personalised ceremony that celebrates the person's life without religious content. You can also have a simple committal with no ceremony at all.
A natural burial (also called a green burial) involves burying the body in a biodegradable coffin or shroud in a natural burial ground, without embalming. The aim is to minimise environmental impact. Natural burial grounds are available across the UK. Costs are typically similar to or slightly lower than conventional burial.