MAKE YOUR FREE Funeral Plan
What we'll cover
What is a Funeral Plan?
A Funeral Plan sets out the specific arrangements you have made for your funeral in advance of your death. Funeral Plans help clearly outline your wishes and save your loved ones (also known as ‘survivors’) from having to worry about arranging your funeral.
When should I use a Funeral Plan?
Use this Funeral Plan:
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to outline your wishes for your funeral
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to set out and provide details of any pre-paid funeral arrangements you have made
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if you are based in England, Wales or Scotland
Sample Funeral Plan
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ADVANCE FUNERAL WISHES
Funeral wishes for of , , .
To assist my survivors in making arrangements at the time of my death, I provide the following information reflecting my personal wishes, wherever possible, for the handling of my body and the final arrangements following my death.
Preliminary Details
Last Will and Testament:
I have written a Last Will and Testament.
Next of Kin
My next of kin is.
Personal Details
My birth certificate can be found .
My NHS number is .
Funeral Details
Funeral Arrangements
Organ Donation
After my death any part of my body may be used for therapeutic purposes including corneal grafting.
I have registered this request with the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Burial Container
I would prefer to be.
If possible, I request the following information be inscribed on the:
Service Details
I desire that a funeral service be held.
Funeral Service
I wish to have a funeral service at . The body be present.
I request that
Obituary
I would like an obituary notice to be published in the .
These are my Advance Funeral Wishes and I have given careful thought and consideration to them. While I know that my Advance Funeral Wishes are not binding, and ultimate decisions will be made by my survivors based on the circumstances at the time of my death, I hope that my survivors are, as far as possible, able to carry them out.
| Signature | ||
of , , | ||
| Date of signature | ||
| in the presence of: | ||
| Witness signature | ||
| Name of witness | ||
| Address | ||
| Occupation | ||
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Name:
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
About Funeral Plans
Learn more about making your Funeral Plan
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How to make a Funeral Plan
Making a Funeral Plan online is simple. Just answer a few questions and Rocket Lawyer will build your document for you. When you have all of the details prepared in advance, making your document is a quick and easy process.
To make your Funeral Plan, you will need the following information:
Your details
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What are your details (eg name, address and date of birth)?
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Where can your birth certificate be found?
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Are you married or in a civil partnership?
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If so, what are the details of your spouse or civil partner?
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If not, what are the details of your next of kin?
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What is your NHS number?
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Are you entitled to receive a state pension? If so, where can details about your state pension be found?
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Have you made a last will and testament?
If you have made a last will and testament
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Have you made any codicils to your will?
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Have you stored your will:
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With a lawyer? If so, what are their details?
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With a will writing service? If so, which will writing service is storing your will?
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With the Probate Service?
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With your bank? If so, what are the bank’s details?
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In your home? If so, where specifically is your will stored?
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Funeral arrangements
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Should a named individual or a funeral director arrange your funeral? What are their details?
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Have you made any pre-paid funeral plans? If so, will a copy of the pre-paid funeral plans be attached to this Plan?
Your body
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Do you want to donate your organs?
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Do you want your body to be embalmed for viewing?
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Do you want to be buried or cremated?
If you want to be cremated
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Would you like your ashes to be:
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Buried?
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Placed in a columbarium? If so, what are the details of the columbarium and do you have a columbarium place reserved?
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Scattered? If so, where should your ashes be scattered?
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Otherwise handled? If so, how should your ashes be handled?
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Do you want to be cremated in a coffin, casket or shroud or in another way?
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If relevant, have you already selected the container you want to be cremated in? If so, who have you made these arrangements with?
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If relevant, have you already selected an urn? If so, who have you made these arrangements with?
If you want your body or your ashes to be buried
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Where do you want to be buried?
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Do you have a burial plot reserved? If so:
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Where is the burial plot located?
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Where is the grave deed stored? A grave deed, also known as a 'deed of grant', is the document that sets out who the owner of a grave is.
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If relevant, do you want to be buried in a coffin, casket or shroud or in another way?
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If relevant, have you already selected the container you want your body or your ashes to be buried in? If so, who have you made these arrangements with?
Pallbearers
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Do you want to name pallbearers? If so, what are their names?
Burial marker
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What type of burial marker do you want?
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Do you want an inscription on your burial marker (eg headstone or plaque)? What should it say?
Funeral service
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Do you want a funeral service? If so:
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Do you want a religious or civil service?
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If relevant, in accordance with the rites of which religion do you want your funeral service to be held?
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Where should your funeral service be held?
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Who should attend your funeral service?
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Should a specific individual lead your funeral service? If so, what are their details?
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Should specific music or hymns be played at your funeral service? If so, what music or hymns should be played?
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Should specific readings be included in your funeral service? If so, what readings should be included?
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Should specific people speak at your funeral service (eg to give a eulogy)? If so, who should speak at your service?
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Should flowers be used at your funeral service? If not, should donations be made instead?
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Do you have any other specific requests for your funeral service? If so, provide details.
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Reception
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Should a reception be held after your funeral? If so:
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Where should the reception be held?
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Who should attend the reception?
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Should food and drinks be provided at the reception? If so, do you want to specify what food and drinks should be provided?
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Should specific music be played at the reception? If so, what music should be played?
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Do you have any other specific requests for the reception? If so, provide details.
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Obituary
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Do you want to have an obituary? If so:
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Where should your obituary be published?
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Will you provide biographical information to help write your obituary?
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If you will provide biographical information
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Will the biographical information cover:
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Your parents? If so, what are their names?
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Your surviving relatives? If so, what are their names?
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The schools you attended? If so, what are their names?
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Details of your military service?
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Details of any public offices you held? If so, what offices did you hold?
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Any other relevant details?
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Common terms in Funeral Plans
Funeral Plans set out your wishes for your funeral. To facilitate this, this Funeral Plan template covers:
Preliminary details
This section covers certain preliminary details relating to you, which are designed to assist your loved ones after your passing. These include:
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whether you made a last will and testament and, if relevant, where it is stored. This provides clarity for your surviving loved ones and helps them to locate your will
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information about your next of kin - this helps identify the main person who should be informed about your death
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certain information to help your loved ones register your death (eg your NHS number and where your birth certificate can be found)
Funeral details
This section provides information about your funeral wishes. Specifically, it sets out who should arrange your funeral and whether you have made any pre-paid funeral arrangements. It also details whether you want your organs to be donated and whether you want your body to be embalmed.
Burial/Cremation
This section sets out whether you want to be buried or cremated. It also provides details relating to the burial or cremation. This includes:
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the container you want to be buried or cremated in
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how your ashes should be handled after cremation
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details of any pallbearers
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whether you want a specific burial marker and/or burial marker inscription
Service details
This section sets out whether you want to have a funeral service or you want to be immediately buried or cremated without a service. If you would like to have a service, this section provides details relating to your funeral service, including:
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what religious rites (if any) should be followed
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what music should be played during and what readings should be included in the service
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who should lead the service
Wake or reception
If relevant, this section sets out details relating to the reception to be held after your funeral.
Obituary
This section specifies whether an obituary should be published and, if so, in which newspaper.
Biographical information
This section provides certain biographical information about you. This is designed to help your surviving loved ones write your obituary and make relevant burial marker inscriptions. It should set out any significant details you consider relevant to your life.
If you want your Funeral Plan to include further or more detailed provisions, you can edit your document. However, if you do this, you may want a lawyer to review or change the Funeral Plan for you, to make sure it complies with all relevant laws and meets your specific needs. Ask a lawyer for assistance.
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Legal tips for making a Funeral Plan
Consider making a last will and testament
A Funeral Plan is designed to expand on any wishes you set out in your last will and testament. Without having a will in place, your estate (ie all of your belongings, including your home, car and jewellery) is distributed according to the rules of intestacy of England and Wales or of Scotland. Make your will using our Last will and testament for England and Wales or our Last will and testament for Scotland.
For more information, read Reasons to make a will.
Record your wishes regarding organ donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register
In England, Wales and Scotland you are presumed to be an organ donor unless you have specified otherwise. You should register your request regarding organ donation with the NHS Organ Donor Register. This is especially true if you do not want to donate your organs as, without registering your request, you will be considered to be an organ donor.
For more information, read the FAQ ‘Should I donate my organs?’ and Making plans for your funeral.
Speak to your loved ones
Funeral Plans are designed to reflect your wishes for your funeral. For your wishes to be honoured, you should make your loved ones aware of the existence of your Funeral Plan and where it can be found. If your loved ones don’t know where to find your Funeral Plan, they won’t be able to follow it.
Understand when to seek advice from a lawyer
Ask a lawyer if:
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this document doesn’t meet your specific needs
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you’re located outside of England, Wales and Scotland
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Funeral Plan FAQs
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What is included in a Funeral Plan?
This Funeral Plan template covers:
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your details
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whether you have a will in place and, if so, where it is stored
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your next of kin
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details to help your loved ones register your death
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who you would like to arrange your funeral (ie a friend or family member or a funeral director)
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any pre-paid funeral arrangements that are already in place
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whether you’d like to donate your organs
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whether your body should be embalmed for viewing
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whether you want to be cremated or buried
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how you’d like to be cremated or buried and where
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what sort of burial marker, if any, you would like placed on your burial place
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what type of funeral service you’d like, if any, and any specific wishes for the service
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if a reception should be held after your funeral and any specific wishes for the reception
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your obituary
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certain biographical information your loved ones may need for your funeral
For more information on the different aspects of a Funeral Plan, read Making plans for your funeral.
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Why do I need a Funeral Plan?
Funeral Plans are not essential. However, by making a Funeral Plan, you can clearly set out your wishes in relation to your funeral. If you have any specific requests regarding your funeral, it is a good idea to record them in writing to ensure that they are known and, where possible, honoured.
Funeral Plans can also help support your loved ones. Planning a loved one's funeral can be emotionally challenging and, by making a Funeral Plan in advance, you allow your loved ones to focus on grieving and remembering you. It can also help reduce the stress your loved ones are under, as they have clear instructions for your funeral that they can follow.
For more information, read Making plans for your funeral.
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Are Funeral Plans legally binding?
Funeral Plans are not legally binding. This includes any wishes you wishes for your funeral or burial that you set out in a last will and testament. This is because your body does not form part of your estate (ie all of your belongings, including your home, car and jewellery), which is protected under the law. As a result, while a Funeral Plan outlines how you would like your funeral and/or burial to be handled, this does not need to be followed by your loved ones after your death. Nevertheless, having a Funeral Plan in place helps you communicate your wishes and supports your loved ones after your death.
Despite not being legally binding, you should sign your Funeral Plan in the presence of a witness. Doing this ensures that the correct party (ie you) made the document and helps in case there are any questions about the signing of the Funeral Plan and the wishes contained within it.
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What are pre-paid funeral plans?
Pre-paid funeral plans are any funeral plans you make before your death. These will typically be entered into with a funeral provider (eg a specific funeral director or funeral home). Examples of pre-paid funeral plans include:
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purchasing a coffin or urn in advance
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paying for a burial plot or columbarium niche in advance
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making pre-paid arrangements for your funeral and/or funeral service
This Funeral Plan template is not a pre-paid funeral plan. Pre-paid funeral plans are the actual plans you make with the funeral provider. Since June 2022, there’s been a requirement that providers of such pre-paid plans must be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). For more information, read Money Helper’s guidance.
Any references to pre-paid funeral plans and arrangements in this Funeral Plan template refer to arrangements you have made (and paid for) with an FCA-registered provider.
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Who should plan my funeral?
You can choose who should plan your funeral. This will often be a loved one (eg a surviving spouse or your child) or a funeral director.
If you have a last will and testament, the person arranging your funeral should either be your executor (ie the person who will carry out the administrative duties related to your last will and testament) or another person (your executor must agree to these arrangements).
Regardless of who should arrange your funeral, it is important that you make them aware of your wishes. For example, by providing them with a copy of your Funeral Plan and discussing your wishes with them in advance.
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What information is needed to register a death?
After your passing, your loved ones will have to register your death. The information you need will depend on a variety of factors, including:
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where the deceased died (eg in England or Wales, Scotland or abroad)
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whether the deceased died at home, in a hospital or elsewhere
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whether the death was unexpected
The types of things your loved ones may need to register your death include:
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your birth certificate
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your marriage or civil partnership certificate (if relevant)
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your NHS number or NHS medical card
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proof of your address (eg a utility bill)
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whether you were receiving a State Pension or any other benefits
This Funeral Plan template asks you to provide your NHS number and details of where your birth certificate and, where applicable, your marriage or civil partnership certificate can be found.
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Should I donate my organs?
Whether you want to be an organ donor or not is a personal decision for you to make. Be aware that the laws regarding organ donation differ across the UK.
In England, most adults are considered to be organ donors unless they have registered a decision not to be an organ donor. In Wales, ‘deemed consent’ applies. This means that most adults are deemed to be organ donors unless they have registered a decision to the contrary. In Scotland, ‘deemed authorisation’ applies. This means that most adults will be treated as organ donors unless they have confirmed otherwise.
In essence, this means that in England, Wales and Scotland you are presumed to be an organ donor unless you have specified otherwise. This means that, if you don’t want to donate your organs after your death, you should opt out of organ donation by recording this on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Even if you want to donate your organs, it is a good idea to register this decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register to provide clear evidence of your wishes.
For more information, read the NHS’ guidance.
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Should I be buried or cremated?
Whether to be buried or cremated is a personal decision for you to make, taking into account a variety of factors including cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, personal beliefs, cost considerations and environmental impact. Consider speaking to a funeral provider if you’re unsure whether you wish to be buried or cremated.
Burials involve placing the deceased's body in a coffin/casket and burying it in a cemetery. Cremations involve reducing a deceased's body to ashes. In many ways, cremations are more flexible than burials as the ashes are returned to the deceased’s family who can distribute or otherwise handle the ashes (eg by burning them, scattering them or turning them into a memorial ring).
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Where should I be buried?
Where to be buried is a personal decision based on your beliefs and wishes. Places where you can be buried include:
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in churchyards or cemeteries - these are often considered traditional places of burial and offer a permanent memorial in a designated grave
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in family plots or mausoleums - these burial sites allow you to be buried alongside your family members
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in natural or woodland burial sites - here your body is laid to rest in nature, often without a traditional coffin or headstone. These are, therefore, considered more eco-friendly burial sites
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at sea - while burials at sea were traditionally reserved for members of the Royal Navy, this is now open to anyone and is often chosen if the deceased had a strong connection to the sea. Burials at sea involve a special coffin being lowered into the sea and require special licences from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), alongside other stringent requirements
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How should my ashes be handled?
How your ashes should be handled is a personal decision for you to make, based on your beliefs and wishes. Examples of ways in which your ashes can be handled include being:
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buried - for example, in a cemetery or natural burial site
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placed in a columbarium niche - this is a room or building with niches for urns to be stored in
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scattered - in the UK, ashes can typically be scattered anywhere as long as permission from the landowner is obtained. Permission is not needed if the person scattering the ashes owns the land or if ashes are being scattered over water
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placed in an urn and kept by loved ones
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turned into a memorial ring
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Do I need to have a funeral service?
You do not need to have a funeral service. However, many people choose to have a (religious or civil) funeral service as a way to honour and remember the deceased, provide closure for loved ones, and honour the deceased’s life.
When considering whether to request a funeral service, you should consider your own beliefs and preferences. Your Funeral Plan can set out specific wishes for your funeral service, including who should attend (eg only your close family if you want a private goodbye).
Ultimately, the decision of whether to have a funeral service is a deeply personal one and should be made based on what feels right for you and your loved ones.
If you choose not to have a funeral service and wish to be buried or cremated directly without a service, this is known as a direct burial or direct cremation.
For more information, read Making plans for your funeral.
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What is a wake or reception and should I have one?
Traditionally, wakes were held before a funeral and involved the deceased’s loved ones keeping watch over the deceased’s body. However, the terms ‘wakes’ and ‘reception’ are now often used interchangeably and refer to a gathering of family members and friends to remember the deceased. Unlike funeral services, which tend to be led by a religious figure or other celebrant, wakes/receptions are a more casual gathering of mourners.
As with funeral services, the decision to have a wake or reception is a personal decision for you to make based on what feels right for you and your loved ones.
For more information, read Making plans for your funeral.
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