How to Arrange a DIY Funeral in the UK: A Complete Cost-Saving Guide

What Is a DIY Funeral?

A DIY funeral (also called a direct family funeral, personal funeral, or funeral without a funeral director) means you take on some or all of the tasks that a funeral director would normally handle. This can include:

• Collecting and transporting the deceased
• Storing the deceased in appropriate facilities
• Arranging a suitable coffin or shroud
• Liaising directly with the crematorium or cemetery
• Organising the service, music, readings, and flowers yourself
• Transporting the coffin to the ceremony

A DIY funeral does not mean you skip the legal requirements — you still need to register the death, obtain necessary certificates, and meet cremation or burial regulations. It simply means you handle the practical arrangements yourself rather than paying a funeral director to do it for you.

### The Spectrum of DIY Funerals

DIY funerals can range from full (you do everything) to partial (you handle some elements but use a funeral director for others):

Legal Requirements in the UK

Before you can arrange a funeral yourself, you must complete several legal steps. These are mandatory regardless of who arranges the funeral.

### 1. Register the Death

You must register the death at a Register Office within 5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (8 days in Scotland). You'll need the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from the doctor. The registration is free, but certified copies cost about £11 each.

Who can register:

• A relative of the deceased
• Someone present at the death
• The person arranging the funeral
• The occupier of the premises where the death occurred

### 2. Obtain the Death Certificate

Once registered, you'll receive a Death Certificate (certified copy) — you'll need this for:

• Notifying banks, pensions, and government departments
• The crematorium or cemetery (they require the original)
• Probate and estate administration

Order at least 5-10 certified copies at £11 each — you'll need them for various organisations and it saves time later.

### 3. Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

The doctor provides this free of charge. In England and Wales, if the death is referred to a coroner, the coroner issues the MCCD instead. This document is required before the death can be registered.

### 4. Cremation or Burial Paperwork

For cremation: You'll need two cremation forms completed by doctors (Form 4 — medical referee's certificate, and Form 5 — confirmatory medical certificate). In England and Wales, these typically cost £82–£184 in doctors' fees (paid directly to the doctors, not to a funeral director).

For burial: You'll need the Certificate of Burial (form from the registrar) or a coroner's order. The cemetery will also require a Green Form (Certificate for Disposal) if you're arranging burial in a churchyard.

Scotland note: Scotland has its own cremation and burial regulations — the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019 apply, and you'll need a medical referee's certificate. Check with your local crematorium.

Step-by-Step: How to Arrange a DIY Funeral

### Step 1: Collecting the Deceased

Once the death has occurred and the MCCD has been issued, you need to arrange collection of the deceased. Without a funeral director, you'll need to:

• Arrange transport yourself — You can use a private vehicle (estate car or van) to transport the deceased. The law does not require a specialised funeral vehicle.
• Use a stretcher or removal service — Some companies offer body removal services without the full funeral package, typically costing £150–£300.
• Check with the hospital or hospice — If the death occurred in a medical setting, the mortuary may hold the deceased for a short period while you make arrangements.

### Step 2: Storage of the Deceased

This is one of the most practical considerations. The deceased must be kept in dignified, temperature-controlled conditions until the funeral. Options include:

• Hospital mortuary — Many hospitals allow the deceased to remain in their mortuary for several days (sometimes free, sometimes a daily fee)
• Private mortuary storage — Companies that offer standalone storage (not full funeral services) charge about £75–£150 per day
• Home storage with cooling — Some families choose to keep the deceased at home using a cooling mat or specialised equipment. This requires a "cooling plate" system (around £150–£300 to hire)
• A funeral director's facilities — Even if you're doing most things yourself, you can pay a funeral director just for storage (typically £175–£450 under the CMA basket for care of the deceased)

Important: Keeping the deceased at home requires careful temperature management. Many families find this emotionally challenging — there's no shame in paying for professional storage if it's too difficult.

### Step 3: Choose and Obtain a Coffin

You are not required to buy a coffin from a funeral director. Many families choose to:

• Build their own coffin — Biodegradable coffins can be made from plywood, cardboard, or willow. Basic materials cost £50–£150
• Buy online — Cardboard coffins cost £50–£150, willow coffins £200–£500, and basic wooden coffins £150–£350
• Use a simple shroud — Some people choose a natural burial shroud (around £50–£200)
• Buy from a coffin maker directly — Skipping the funeral director markup can save £100–£400

### Step 4: Arrange Cremation or Burial

You'll need to contact the crematorium or cemetery directly. They will ask about the deceased's details and arrange a date and time.

For cremation:

• Contact the crematorium's bereavement services department directly
• You'll need to book a slot — typically available 3–14 days after death
• If you want a short committal service (with family present), most crematoria offer a basic service for a set fee — this is their committal-only service
• Crematorium fees typically range from £700–£1,200, depending on location

For burial:

• Contact your local cemetery or churchyard
• You'll need to purchase a grave plot or arrange an existing family plot
• Burial fees typically range from £800–£2,500+, depending on location and whether you choose a new or existing grave

### Step 5: Transport the Coffin to the Crematorium or Cemetery

You don't need a hearse. Alternatives include:

• Your own vehicle — A large estate car or van works fine
• A funeral vehicle hire — You can hire a hearse just for transport (about £200–£350)
• A courier service — Some companies specialise in coffin transport

### Step 6: Arrange the Service

Without a funeral director, you'll organise:

• A celebrant or minister — Humanist celebrants cost £150–£300, religious ministers may charge less or nothing
• Music — Use the crematorium's sound system (often included in the fee)
• Readings, eulogies, and tributes — Family and friends can speak
• Flowers — Buy from a local florist or supermarket (often cheaper than a funeral director's flowers)
• Order of service sheets — Print your own at home or at a local print shop

Committal-Only Service: The Easiest DIY Option

A committal-only service is the simplest way to arrange a funeral yourself. Here's how it works:

A committal service is a short ceremony at the crematorium (typically 15–20 minutes) where the coffin is committed for cremation. The crematorium handles the technical side; you handle the service yourself.

The crematorium provides:

• The chapel or committal room
• The cremation itself
• The crematorium staff to operate the equipment
• Basic sound system

You provide:

• The coffin (brought by you or delivered)
• The celebrant or minister
• Music
• Readings
• Floral tributes (optional)

Typical cost breakdown for a committal-only DIY funeral:

Compare this to the average attended funeral cost of £3,086 — a potential saving of £800–£2,000.

How Much Can You Save? Real Cost Comparison

Let's put the numbers side by side:

The bottom line: A DIY funeral typically costs £1,000–£2,000 less than a full-service funeral director arrangement. The savings come primarily from cutting out the funeral director's professional fees for administration, collection, and care of the deceased.

What DIY Funerals Do NOT Include

It's important to understand what you still have to pay for, regardless of who arranges the funeral:

### Crematorium or Burial Fees (Non-Negotiable)

These are set by the local authority or crematorium operator — you cannot DIY your way out of them. They cover:

• The cremation process or burial plot
• Use of the chapel or committal room
• Crematorium staff and equipment
• Maintenance of the grounds

Typical crematorium fees (2026): £700–£1,200

Typical burial fees (2026): £800–£2,500+ (plus grave purchase if needed)

### Doctors' Fees for Cremation Forms (Statutory)

In England and Wales, two doctors must certify the cremation forms. These are statutory fees set by the government:

• Form 4 (medical referee): £82
• Form 5 (confirmatory medical certificate): £82
• Total: £164

Some doctors charge slightly more in certain areas — always confirm the fee when requesting the forms.

Scotland note: Doctors' cremation fees in Scotland are regulated separately. Check with your local crematorium for current statutory fees.

### Minister or Celebrant Fees (Optional but Recommended)

Even with a DIY funeral, you'll likely want someone to conduct the service. Options:

• Humanist celebrant: £150–£300
• Religious minister: £0–£200 (many clergy do not charge for funeral services)
• Family member or friend: Free (but check if the crematorium requires a licensed officiant)

Pros and Cons of DIY Funerals

### When DIY Makes Sense

### When to Use a Funeral Director

There is no shame in using a funeral director. DIY funerals aren't for everyone, and funeral directors provide valuable support during an incredibly difficult time. The best approach is to choose what works for your family, your budget, and your circumstances.

Practical Tips for a Successful DIY Funeral

### 1. Start with the Legal Steps First

Register the death and get the death certificate before worrying about anything else. This unlocks everything — crematorium booking, coffin purchase, and transport arrangements all depend on having these documents.

### 2. Contact the Crematorium or Cemetery Early

Call the bereavement services department before you make any other arrangements. They'll tell you:

• What dates are available
• What paperwork they require
• Whether they have specific requirements for DIY funerals
• Their fees (so you know your budget)

### 3. Get Everything in Writing

When dealing with the crematorium, doctors, or any supplier, get written confirmation of:

• Fees and what's included
• Dates and times
• Required documents
• Any restrictions (e.g., coffin size, material, or decoration rules)

### 4. Have a Backup Plan

If you're transporting the coffin yourself, check the dimensions fit in your vehicle before the day. Have a spare driver in case of breakdown. Know who to call if something goes wrong.

### 5. Consider a Hybrid Approach

You don't have to do everything yourself. A popular middle ground is:

• Use FuneralCompare to find a low-cost funeral director who offers a basic unattended cremation at £895–£1,495
• Hold your own memorial service separately at a venue of your choice
• This gives you the cost savings of DIY with the peace of mind of professional care

DIY Funeral Checklist

Use this checklist to stay organised:

• [ ] Register the death (within 5 days in England/Wales, 8 in Scotland)
• [ ] Order multiple certified copies of the Death Certificate
• [ ] Arrange storage of the deceased (hospital, home, or paid storage)
• [ ] Contact crematorium or cemetery to book date
• [ ] Arrange doctors' cremation forms (Form 4 and Form 5)
• [ ] Choose and purchase coffin (online, DIY, or from a coffin maker)
• [ ] Arrange transport for the coffin (own vehicle or hired transport)
• [ ] Book a celebrant or minister
• [ ] Plan the service (music, readings, tributes, flowers)
• [ ] Print order of service sheets (optional)
• [ ] Notify family and friends of the date, time, and location
• [ ] Confirm all arrangements 24–48 hours before

How FuneralCompare Can Help

Even if you're arranging a DIY funeral, FuneralCompare can help you find the best options for the parts you choose to outsource:

• [Compare funeral prices in your area](/blog/how-to-compare-funeral-prices) — If you decide to use a funeral director for part of the process, compare prices from local providers using CMA-standardised pricing
• [What is a direct cremation and how much does it cost?](/blog/what-is-a-direct-cremation-cost) — The simplest, most affordable fully-professional option — ideal as a baseline for costing up your DIY alternative
• [How to save money on a funeral UK](/blog/how-to-save-money-on-a-funeral-uk) — More practical tips for reducing funeral costs, whether you go DIY or not
• [Cremation vs burial UK cost comparison](/blog/cremation-vs-burial-uk-cost-comparison) — Understand the real costs of each option to help decide which is right
• [Average cost of a funeral in the UK 2026](/blog/average-cost-of-a-funeral-uk-2026) — See what other families pay and how DIY compares against the national average

Final Thoughts

A DIY funeral can save your family £1,000–£2,000 compared to a full-service funeral director arrangement. It gives you complete control over every aspect of the farewell and can be deeply meaningful for those who want a hands-on, personal approach.

However, it requires time, organisation, practical resources, and emotional resilience. If you're unsure, consider a hybrid approach — use a funeral director for the elements you find difficult (collection, storage, paperwork) and handle the service and celebration of life yourself.

Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to give your loved one a dignified farewell. Whether that costs £1,500 with a DIY funeral or £3,086 with a professional service, the value is in the love and respect you show — not the price tag.

Start comparing funeral costs now. Enter your postcode on FuneralCompare to see real CMA-standardised prices from funeral directors near you — and use that data to make an informed decision about whether DIY is right for your family.