Plan your own funeral

Get advice on leaving instructions for your own funeral, and what to consider when thinking about what you'd like to happen after you die.

Leaving instructions for your own funeral

Thinking about what arrangements you would like for your own funeral now can help your friends and family when the time comes.

A funeral service is an occasion for family and friends to come together and support each other. It is a time to remember and reflect on the person who has died and it is also an important part of the grieving process. You can contribute to this process, and also prevent potential family friction, by providing clear instructions on how you want your funeral to proceed. Funeral wishes, either in a Will or other document, are not legally binding. It is therefore sensible, as a first step, to identify someone who will act for you and give instructions after your death. This will give you the confidence and reassurance that your requirements will be respected. It is also helpful, and often comforting, if your family and friends can follow your wishes too.

You can write down your wishes for your funeral at any time. If you have a will, you could keep these documents together, or give the instructions to the person who will eventually be planning your funeral.

Visit the GOV.UK website for information and guidance on making a will.

Your funeral wishes document

You can use this PDF form to write out all your wishes. We have designed it to be printed and completed by hand and may not be accessible to screen readers. 

Alternatively, you can use the information on the rest of these pages to help you plan your own document.