Decide what matters.
Burial or cremation, where, what kind of service, the music, and where any donations should go.
Your last party, your playlist
Funeral wishes
Burial or cremation, religious or not, sombre or a proper knees-up. Write it down, and tell the people who’ll be organising it.
Plain English, and nobody will try to sell you anything.
Why write your wishes down?
Nobody has to guess. Your family can make decisions knowing it’s what you wanted.
Fewer arguments. Clear wishes settle the questions families sometimes disagree on.
It can keep the cost down. Say if you’d rather keep it simple, so nobody feels they have to spend more.
It’s your send-off. The music, the readings, what people wear. Make it sound like you.
How to plan your funeral wishes.
It takes an evening, and a conversation.
- Step 1
Step 2Write it down.
Put it in your will, and in a separate letter your family can find quickly, as a will is often read after the funeral.
Step 3Tell the people who’ll organise it.
Your executors and your family. And think about how it will be paid for.
Questions about funeral wishes.
Short answers for England and Wales.
Are my funeral wishes legally binding?
No. In England and Wales, your executors decide on the funeral. Most follow your wishes, which is why writing them down and talking about them helps.
Should they go in my will?
You can, but the will is often found or read after the funeral. Keep a copy somewhere your family knows about too.
How do I record organ donation?
Register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and tell your family, as they’ll still be asked. See organdonation.nhs.uk.
Can I donate my body to medical science?
Yes, but you need to arrange consent in writing with a medical school while you’re alive. Your family can’t agree to it for you after you die.
How can I pay for my funeral in advance?
Some people use a funeral plan, savings, or a life insurance or over 50s policy. Funeral plans have been regulated by the FCA since July 2022.
Useful information
Organ donation
Record your decision, whichever it is, at organdonation.nhs.uk.
Paying for it
See our pages on funeral plans and over 50s life insurance.
Funeral costs
MoneyHelper explains what a funeral costs and how to pay for one: moneyhelper.org.uk.
Still need support?
Ask a real person about planning ahead for your funeral. Nobody will try to sell you anything.
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