What is a DIY funeral?
Looking for DIY funeral ideas? Let's learn more about this family-led alternative to a traditional funeral.
What is a DIY funeral?
A DIY funeral, also known as a family-led funeral, is a funeral service arranged and carried out without the help of a funeral director.
Advocates of DIY funerals point to the greater level of control and personalisation the process allows, along with the financial savings. Others point out the stress that organising a funeral can bring at an already difficult time.

The main thing to understand before committing to a DIY funeral is the amount of tasks covered by a funeral director: everything from paperwork to liaising with the cemetery or crematorium to arranging transportation for the person who died.
How to arrange a funeral yourself
Arranging a funeral involves lots of moving parts. It's important to bear this in mind before committing to a complicated practical task at a stressful time.
You need to arrange transportation for the person who died to the crematorium or cemetery. You need to liaise with the crematorium or cemetery to arrange the service. This will involve either booking a cremation or securing a burial plot.
There's paperwork to be completed and submitted within a strict time frame. You may want to hire a celebrant if you choose not to lead the ceremony yourself.
You'll need to buy a coffin, casket or urn where appropriate, as well as flowers and catering services. You'll also need to hire a professional gravedigger, pay for exclusive rights of burial and possibly other burial fees relating to the ceremony.

Alternatively, you can hold part or all of the DIY funeral at home. This can help you save money without shouldering the whole process yourself.
DIY funeral FAQs
Do you need to use a funeral director?
No – in the UK, there's no legal necessity for anyone to use a funeral director if they don't want to.
Can you combine a DIY funeral with a funeral director's services?
Yes. It's perfectly possible to take care of some aspects of the funeral yourself and get help from a funeral director with others. For instance, you might ask them to look after the body of the person
who died in the run-up to the funeral.
Can you hold a DIY funeral at home?
Yes, you can hold some or all of the DIY funeral at home. This can involve readings, eulogies and music like any other funeral service. You can also scatter the person's ashes in your garden if you own your home.
Can you transport a body yourself in the UK?
Yes, you can transport a body to a crematorium or cemetery yourself in the UK. Most people, however, get the job done for them by a funeral director, crematorium or cemetery.
Do you need a coffin for a DIY funeral?
Although widely used, coffins aren't legally required in burials or cremations. If you want a green burial for the person who died, you could use a biodegradable coffin or shroud.
How much does a DIY funeral cost?
The cost of a DIY funeral depends on the location you use, the costs of transportation, the costs of a coffin or shroud, whether there's catering involved and any flowers or other extras.
A simple DIY funeral will cost less than a funeral organised through a funeral director. These savings, however, have to be balanced against the complexities of organising a funeral yourself.
Do you have to register a death before a DIY funeral?
Yes, you have to register a death within five days (eight days in Scotland). To do this, you need to get in contact with a local registry office. Once you've done this, you'll be given the documents needed to hold a funeral.
Where can you buy a coffin for a DIY/family-led funeral?
Many coffin makers sell coffins directly to members of the public. These can be traditional coffins made from wood or sustainable products made from wicker, cardboard or environmentally friendly wood. You can also buy a shroud for the body.
Can you keep the body of the person who died at home?
If you decide to arrange your own funeral, you'll need to look after the body in the meantime. Above all, the body needs to be kept cool. The Natural Death Centre has plenty of guidance on the subject.
Alternatively, you can arrange for the body to be kept in a mortuary until burial or cremation. The mortuary is purpose-built to look after dead bodies, and the staff can help remove medical devices and jewellery.
Arrange the funeral you want with AFD
At AFD, we can help you to arrange a DIY funeral. We offer a listening ear and clear, compassionate guidelines at all stages of the process. Contact us via our
webpage or on our 24/7 phone line on 020 8355 7876.
