Funeral Wishes: What are my Options?

One option is to let your family decide, and a lot of people often discuss their wishes with their loved ones during their lifetime.

It is difficult to think through grief, and that is why it is a good idea to have something written down if you do have wishes that you would like somebody to be aware of.

Funeral wishes in Wills are not legally binding and if you wish to keep them private, we always advise writing a letter to be stored with your Will; rather than including wishes within the Will itself.

Which brings us to the next question our clients often ask: what are the options when it comes to funeral arrangements? There are so many different options available, and we have highlighted just a few of these below:

(1) Direct Cremation

This does not involve a service, and this is a good option for anyone who does not wish to have the expense of a funeral, or have anyone present. When someone passes, they are simply cremated and their ashes returned to their loved ones. The average cost for direct cremation in 2023 was just under £1,500, with traditional cremations and services costing closer to double of those costs.

FACT: Did you know that David Bowie and John Lennon both opted for direct cremation?

(2) Natural Burial

This is sometimes called a woodland burial, or a green burial; and the person who has passed on is placed in a shroud or a natural coffin and buried in woodland, a forest or a meadow. No embalming takes place and there are no concrete burial vaults or metal caskets, which reduces the environmental impact.

FACT: Peter Stringfellow opted for a natural burial.

(3) Water Cremation

This is not available in the UK yet but it is in other parts of the world. This is eco friendly and involves placing the loved one who has passed into a pressurised tank for approximately 16 hours to be pressed into a powder. The process preserves the integrity of the person who has passed and returns nutrients to the environment.

FACT: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a dedicated campaigner against climate change, chose water cremation for environmental reasons.

(4) Non Religious Funeral

A non religious funeral celebrates life without any religious elements, rituals or stated beliefs. There is no reference to an afterlife during the service, and no prayers, hymns or religious readings.  Anyone can conduct the service; whether that be a celebrant or other friends or family. A non religious funeral can be humanist or family led.

FACT: Comic writer Terry Jones, best known for his work with Monty Python, had a non religious funeral service.

What is legal or illegal in relation to UK funerals?

The law requires only that a body be disposed of by burial, cremation of any other means (section 41 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953) but there are some rules in place:-

1. Cremation can only take place in a licensed crematorium.

2. A corpse must be “decently covered”

This means that it is illegal to cremate someone outside, at sea, or by any other means other than in a crematorium.

If you would like to ensure that your funeral wishes are included accurately in a Will, or a letter to be stored with your Will, then please contact us for further information.

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This article is intended for general information only, applies to the law at the time of publication, is not specific to the facts of your case and is not intended to be a replacement for legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before relying on any of the information given.

© Eloise Mackenzie Law Limited 2024