Carers Network Beethoven Centre Third Avenue London W10 4JL Tel: 020 8960 3033 Web: www.carers-network.org.uk Email:
[email protected] AFTER-DEATH PRACTICALITIES FUNERAL & BEREAVEMENT SECTION I ORGANISING THE FUNERAL The funeral can be very important in helping you, the friends and family of the deceased to mourn. It is a time where the deceased person’s life can be thought of, valued, and celebrated. It is also a time to think of the deceased person’s whole life, and not just the difficulties of the last few weeks, months or years spent being cared for. When planning the funeral, you should find out whether the deceased person left any instructions about their funeral in a Will or other written document. Other than that you can choose between burial, cremation or alternative burials of various sorts and, if you choose to use one, a professional funeral director will help you make the arrangements. I Non-Religious Services There is no requirement to have a religious ceremony or any kind of ceremony at all at a funeral. At this type of funeral, the services of an officiant -on the lines of a minister or celebrant- are commonly employed. They will conduct the proceedings which may involve readings of appropriate prose, tributes by attendees and the playing of appropriate music. Religious people will often organise a non-religious funeral if the person who has died was not a believer, out of respect for that person's wishes. Remember: If you don't want a ceremony at all, members of the family or close friends can attend the committal, which can be in silence or with some music being played.