How do I find out when a funeral is being held UK [2024 Guide] (2024)

FAQs

How do I find out when someone's funeral is in the UK? ›

If you need details about a funeral, usually someone close to the person who died (e.g. a family member) will contact you. You can also check places like local newspapers or online for death announcements (often includes funeral details).

Most funeral services take place either late in the morning or around midday, often during the week. This allows family or friends who are travelling a long distance to arrive in good time and it usually fits in well with the arrangements for the wake or funeral reception.

Death records in the UK are public, and you can access information online through platforms like GOV.UK, publicrecordsearch.co.uk, and deceasedonline.com. Here at Union Wills, we are developing our own free death record search tool, enhancing the resources available to you.

The average time between death and funeral in the uk is 2 to 3 weeks after death. This can be affected by things like the funeral director being particularly busy or if the death was suspicious and requires an inquest or a coroner's report. Religious beliefs will also play a role in the timing of the ceremony.

Most commonly you can find death notices (or obituaries) in UK newspapers, both printed copies and online. Local newspapers will often contain notices for those who've passed away in the local area but national newspapers, such as The Times and The Telegraph, also run obituaries.

Deceased Online is the only national database dedicated to statutory burial and cremation records. Millions of burial and cremation records are available to search for free on www.deceasedonline.com, supplied directly from local authorities and private cemeteries and crematoria from all over the UK.

In most cases, you're likely to hear the news directly from close family or friends of the deceased. If not, you may find out through an announcement in the local paper. There are also online platforms that publish details of recent deaths.

Sometimes, a funeral might be delayed. For example, if there are any complications with the death, any trouble with the paperwork, or any availability issues with the funeral provider. But generally, funerals usually occur within one to three weeks after a death, allowing the family enough time to make arrangements.

Most American funerals take place within one week or less from death. With the help of a funeral home, a week is typically enough time to make arrangements and contact loved ones.

Are death records public in the UK? ›

The GRO provides a public index that lists basic details of every death recorded in England and Wales since 1837.

The full date of death is stated for the person on the certificate. Under normal circ*mstances this will not include the time of death.

In some circ*mstances it can take a little longer, for example, if the death has to be looked into by the coroner, but generally the funeral will take place within one-to-two weeks, allowing the family of the deceased and the funeral director adequate time to plan and make arrangements.

It's become common practice for a funeral director to collect someone from home shortly after they die. But, in most cases, if it's an expected death, you're completely free to care for someone at home. You could do this for hours, days or even a week or more if that feels right.

But generally, when you work with a funeral home, your loved one will be refrigerated for between eight and 24 hours before embalming. If you don't want to embalm at all, most mortuaries offer short-term refrigeration, which can allow you to delay the funeral for up to two weeks.

At the service

The family will commonly follow the coffin and then be seated at the front. It's the family's decision on whether they want people stood outside or to be seated and waiting inside the venue before the coffin enters. The funeral service will take place which usually includes readings, eulogies and music.

Yes. Some crematoria have a viewing area that overlooks the crematory, where you may witness the committal taking place. Others may have a room with CCTV where people can view the committal on screen. Some crematoria may allow a group into the crematory to witness the committal.

The NAFPP is pleased to offer our Find My Plan service, which is a single online search form to trace any lost prepaid funeral plan. Your application will be sent to whichever institutions you choose. There is no need to pay a fee to find your old plan.

A few historical civilians of profound achievement, exceptional military leaders, and outstanding statesmen have also been honoured with a full state funeral, including, for example, Sir Isaac Newton, Viscount Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, William Ewart Gladstone and Sir Winston Churchill.