Funeral Planning Ahead of Time

Thinking about funeral planning for ourselves or someone we love can be hard. In 2024, less than 1% of people knew all of their loved one’s funeral wishes.⁺ But knowing what the people you care about want to happen at their funeral is the only way to fully honour their wishes.

As well as talking with those close to you about your wishes and theirs, you can also look into how funeral plans can secure your future arrangements.

Don’t worry if you do find you’re in the dark about what your loved one wanted. There are simple and affordable funeral options available, like cremation only funerals, that allow you more time to plan a personal memorial.

⁺ Less than 1% of people knew all their loved one’s funeral wishes in 2024 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Why plan a funeral in advance?

Though it might seem daunting, taking the steps to plan a funeral in advance has several advantages.

Older Lady Filling Out Funeral Plan Form

Planning for yourself

If you choose to plan a funeral for yourself, it takes the stress away from your family as they know ahead of time exactly what you want to happen. Paying in advance takes away any financial burden too.

View our funeral plans

Older Couple Viewing Funeral Plans On Laptop

Planning for someone else

Making plans for a loved one’s funeral in advance also brings peace of mind as you can be reassured they will be cared for in the way you would want them to be when the time comes.

Setting up a plan for a loved one

Questions to consider when funeral planning

There are a few choices to be made to make sure that the funeral you’re planning reflects your preferences in the best possible way, but not all of them have to be made in advance. The more traditional aspects of a funeral can be done away with completely in favour of a simple funeral.

Type of funeral - Would you prefer a burial, cremation or direct cremation?
Funeral provider - Do the providers you're looking at specialise in your preferred funeral and offer the support you'd like?
Clothes - Do you want to be wearing anything specific? What would you like your family to wear?
Music - Are there any particular songs, hymns or special pieces of music you'd like played?
Readings - Would you like any specific readings, poems or prayers? Or any photos or letters to be placed in your coffin?
Personal touches - Who would you like to write your eulogy or obituary? Are any charity donations to be made in your name?
Burial - Where would you like to be buried? Who would you like to carry your coffin?
Ashes - If you've chosen a cremation, where would you like your ashes scattered or who would you want to keep them?
Memorial service - Would you like a sombre, serious and traditional affair or something more personal and modern?
Location - Where would you like the funeral itself and the memorial service/wake afterwards to take place?

Some people plan a funeral down to the smallest details. Others have a broader plan. How detailed you would like your funeral planning to get is entirely up to you.

Our funeral planning products

We have two simple and low cost funeral plans for you to choose from.

Our Direct Cremation Plan gives your family the flexibility to pay their respects in their own way. Alternatively, with our Funeral Service Plan, you have the choice of a 30 or a 60 minute service. This can be family-led or led by a professional celebrant. The choice is yours.

View our services or for additional pricing information and a full list of our optional extras, please see our price list.

Direct Cremation Plan

From £1,799 or £19.79* per month

Our Direct Cremation Plan is a great choice for those looking for a simple farewell which takes place with no service or mourners at our high-quality crematoria where compassionate care is guaranteed throughout.

View our Direct Cremation Plan * Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,374.80 and includes administration fees.

Funeral Service Plan

From £2,299 or £27.51** per month

Our attended cremation plan is perfect for those looking for a fuss-free farewell and a final chance to say goodbye. With our affordable attended plan you have a choice of a 30 or a 60 minute funeral service depending on what you'd prefer.

View our Funeral Service Plan ** Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £3,301.20 and includes administration fees.

Other helpful resources about funeral planning

Continue your funeral planning with our resources below.

Funeral alternatives

Know you don’t want to go down the traditional route, but not sure what you do want? Get to know the other options out there for your funeral arrangements.

Funeral alternatives

Cremation or burial?

Cremation and burial funerals have similar core elements. Finding out about the two options in more detail can help you decide which one is right for you.

Cremation or burial

Arrange a funeral

If you are planning a funeral for someone who is receiving end-of-life care, waiting and arranging the funeral when needed may be the better option.

Arrange a funeral

What our customers say about us

We offer the highest level of support, but don't just take our word for it. Below are recent reviews from customers who bought a funeral with us.

4.9/5

4.8/5

Read all our reviews

Godfrey Peter Tucker, on Feefo 27 Feb 2025

The telephone service personnel were very friendly and helpful, not at all pushy. Would recommend the service, as every thing went to plan.

Anonymous, on Feefo 24 Feb 2025

the staff were very helpfull

Eileen Matthews, on Trustpilot 21 Feb 2025

Their customer service staff are excellent. I had a dedicated member of staff, Sarah Miller, who went over and beyond to reassure me. Everything was carried out with incredible efficiency and support. I had a bad experience with another direct cremation undertakers and appreciate so much the faultless care and support Distinct Cremation gave me.

Anonymous, on Feefo 21 Feb 2025

This was difficult for us a family with dad wanting the unattended funeral plan however the service from Grace was exceptional. She kept us informed throughout the process and was very professional and empathetic. I would definitely recommend this company to look after your loved one who has passed over the rainbow bridge.

Virginia O'reilly, on Trustpilot 21 Feb 2025

The services both Christopher and I received was outstanding from the time we made the call when my aunt passed away. Throughout the time and to the point when my aunt came home even thre driver was so sincere. Thank you.

S&J, on Google 20 Feb 2025

We cannot praise this company enough. We were liaising with Steven, he was professional, kind and totally empathised with us. He contacted us on a few occasions before the cremation to check everything was ok but more importantly were we ok. The cremation went very well, it was simple but very tasteful and everything went as planned. The lady in charge of our cremation was again very professional, kind and caring. We wholeheartedly recommend this company. Thank you all.

Gemma Chambers, on Trustpilot 19 Feb 2025

I cannot thank the team at distinct cremations enough. From the first phone call they were so helpful, kind and compassionate. They kept in touch throughout the whole process from start to finish. We had my dad hand delivered to us yesterday and a phone call today to see how everything went. I would highly recommend distinct cremations over and over again. Everyone that I dealt with on the phone were so caring and really put me at ease at the worst time. From the cost to the whole package from start to finish. They dealt with the whole thing in such a compassionate, professional manor unlike other companies I had been in contact with.

David Teppett, on Google 18 Feb 2025

We were very impressed with ther services the staff were very helpful and considerate especially Sarah thankyou all on behalf of my sons and myself

4.9/5

4.8/5

Read all our reviews

Funeral planning ahead of time

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