DIY funerals in the UK: arranging a funeral yourself

UK government guidance is clear: you can pay a funeral director to arrange the funeral, or you can arrange it yourself. A funeral will usually take place after the death has been registered, unless the death has been referred to a coroner.

The essentials are certification, registration, permission for burial or cremation, and lawful burial or cremation. There is no general legal requirement to embalm the body, use a hearse, use a funeral director, or hold a formal service.

In England and Wales, a statutory medical examiner system has applied since 9 September 2024. Deaths are independently scrutinised by a medical examiner unless they are investigated by a coroner. After that process, the medical certificate can be sent for registration.

Once the death is registered, the registrar produces the Certificate for Burial or Cremation, commonly called the green form. If a coroner is involved, the crematorium or cemetery will normally need the relevant coroner paperwork instead.

A family-led funeral usually means taking responsibility for:

• speaking with the hospital mortuary, hospice, care home or other place where the person died;
• booking a crematorium, cemetery or natural burial ground;
• completing cremation or burial forms and getting them to the right office on time;
• buying or making a coffin or other accepted container;
• arranging transport for the coffin and enough capable bearers;
• paying crematorium, cemetery, grave-digging, chapel or burial-ground fees directly;
• planning any ceremony, music, readings, flowers, notices or gathering afterwards.

For cremation in England and Wales, the applicant completes Cremation 1. The green form, or coroner equivalent, must be sent to the crematorium with the application. The crematorium can tell you its local deadlines, coffin rules, permitted materials and any restrictions on clothing, personal items or medical implants.

Speak to the crematorium before buying a coffin or placing anything inside it. Some materials can damage equipment or create pollution. Implantable medical devices, including some pacemakers, must be declared and may need to be removed before cremation.

For burial, contact the cemetery, churchyard, natural burial ground or local authority before setting a date. They will explain who may buy or reopen a grave, what paperwork they require, what coffin or shroud rules apply, and whether they provide lowering straps or expect you to provide bearers.

Natural burial grounds are often familiar with family-led funerals. Municipal cemeteries vary, so ask directly and early. If a grave must be dug, confirm who arranges and pays the gravedigger, and give accurate coffin measurements.

You can buy a coffin directly from a supplier, but check that it is strong enough, correctly sized, fitted with load-bearing handles if it will be carried by hand, and accepted by the crematorium or burial ground.

The coffin can be transported in any suitable, roadworthy vehicle if it fits safely and respectfully. You do not have to use a hearse. If the practical lifting, timing or care feels difficult, you can pay a local funeral director, carriage master, home-funeral specialist or other professional for a single task rather than the whole funeral.

Consider using professional help if the death is being investigated, there are family disputes about who should arrange the funeral, the body needs to be moved a long distance, the person was very large, there is no suitable place for care before the funeral, or the timetable is too tight. Informed choice includes choosing support when support would make the day safer and calmer.

The Natural Death Centre is an independent UK charity offering information on family-led, natural and lower-cost funerals. Its helpline is often used by families who are considering a DIY or Direct It Yourself funeral.

For official forms and process checks, use GOV.UK guidance on arranging a funeral and the GOV.UK cremation guidance for applicants.