Understand your options

Before you decide, it's best to understand what is possible

When everything feels uncertain, it's hard to know where to start. Before you make any decisions, explore what's possible so you can choose a way forward that feels right for you and your family.

Why using a local, independent funeral director makes sense

Using a SAIF (Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Director) member enables your loved one to stay local, and gives you personal contact, local accountability, and transparent upfront pricing. All SAIF members abide by their Code of Practice, and are regularly inspected, giving you peace of mind when choosing a member.

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The hidden costs of an impersonal funeral

Some choices can feel simple at first. But in moments like these, what isn't said can matter just as much as what is. Take the time to ask yourself these questions.

Some choices can feel simple at first. But in moments like these, what isn't said can matter just as much as what is. Take the time to ask yourself these questions.

Local
Online
Will the cremation take place at your local crematorium – not miles away?
Yes
No
Will your loved one be cared for locally, not transported across the country?
Yes
No
Will you be told the date, time and location of the cremation?
Yes
No
Will you have personal contact with the funeral team caring for your loved one?
Yes
No
Will the ashes be available locally shortly after the cremation?
Yes
No
Can you customise or upgrade elements of the funeral plan if your needs change?
Yes
No
Can you place personal items or keepsakes in the coffin?
Yes
No
Will the cremation happen promptly without unnecessary delay?
Yes
No
Can you choose to witness the committal or attend in a simple way if you wish?
Yes
No

Pre-paid funeral plans

Purchasing a pre-paid funeral plan is an effective way of setting out your funeral wishes, often securing most/all of the related funeral costs at today’s prices.

Discussing your funeral wishes with your family prior to purchase or amending a funeral plan is a very important part of making these arrangements. Whilst potentially a difficult conversation, setting out your wishes, and sharing them prior to purchase allows your wider family to share their own wishes, avoiding any further upset or surprises when the time comes.

A personalised way to say goodbye

An attended funeral, burial or cremation
Most personal

Family and friends come together to honour, reflect and share memories. Whether religious, secular, humanist, cultural or celebratory, it creates a space to say goodbye in a way that feels meaningful.

  • A time for everyone who loved them to be present
  • Personalised music, readings, eulogies and rituals
  • Burial in a churchyard, woodland or cemetery
  • Cremation with a service at a crematorium or chapel
  • A local professional manages every detail
Traditional funeral

A full-service funeral that brings people together to honour a life in a familiar and meaningful way. It offers space for reflection, connection and shared remembrance. It is shaped by personal, cultural or religious traditions.

  • A full service with a hearse and procession
  • A viewing or visitation before the service
  • Eulogies, music, hymns or readings
  • A burial or cremation with a formal ceremony
  • A gathering afterwards, such as a reception or wake
Cremation followed by a memorial service

A private cremation takes place and the memorial follows at a later date when the family is ready. This allows for time to travel, gather and prepare an unforgettable celebration of life.

  • Keeps the practical and personal separate
  • The memorial can be held weeks or months later
  • More time to plan a personal service and celebration
  • Ashes may be scattered, buried or cherished
  • A local, independent funeral directs oversees it all
Simple funeral

Ideal for those who prefer simplicity, this is a more straightforward farewell that focuses on what matters most. It offers a respectful and meaningful way to say goodbye, without the added complexity of a more detailed service.

  • A small, intimate gathering of close family
  • A simple service, with a reading or quiet reflection
  • A choice of burial or cremation
  • A modest coffin and presentation
  • All arrangements handled by a local professional
Unattended direct cremation

A simple, affordable option where the cremation takes place without a service or ceremony. It is handled quietly and respectfully by the funeral director, with the opportunity to remember and gather at a time that feels right.

  • No service or ceremony is held
  • Family and friends do not attend the cremation
  • Ashes are returned to the family afterwards
  • A separate gathering or memorial can be arranged if you wish
  • All arrangements are handled discreetly and professionally