How to Arrange a Funeral
A Practical Guide to Understand the Processes Involved in Arranging a Funeral.
Arranging a funeral can seem complicated, particularly if you have never had to do it before. There are legal requirements to deal with, practical arrangements to make and a number of decisions that need to be considered.
You do not need to know exactly what you want before contacting a funeral director. This guide explains what happens when you arrange a funeral with a funeral director and what you can expect from the process. At Clive Pugh Funeral Directors, we will explain what needs to happen, answer your questions and take care of the practical arrangements on your behalf. From bringing your loved one into our care through to the day of the funeral, we'll guide you through each stage.
Contacting a Funeral Director
You can contact us as soon as the death has been confirmed. You don't need to wait until you've registered the death or made decisions about the funeral. During the first conversation, we'll establish what has happened and where the person involved is currently resting. We may also ask whether the death was expected, whether the Coroner is involved and whether any particular wishes are already known.
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This allows us to advise you on what needs to happen next. If you're unsure about anything, that's fine. At this stage in the process, you don't need to have all the answers before you call us.
Bringing the Deceased Into Our Care
One of the first practical arrangements is bringing the person who has died into our care. Depending on where the death occurred, this may involve liaising with a hospital, hospice, care home or another organisation.
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We'll make the necessary arrangements and coordinate the transfer at the appropriate time. Once they are in our care, we'll look after them respectfully while the remaining funeral arrangements are made.
Registering the Death
The death will normally need to be registered before the funeral can take place. If you have not yet completed the registration, we'll explain what you need to do and what paperwork will be required. Deaths are registered through Shropshire Registration Service. For the latest information about their appointments, office locations and the registration process, visit the official Shropshire Council website:
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https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-marriages/deaths/
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If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the process may be different and the funeral may need to wait until the necessary enquiries have been completed. We can explain how this affects the funeral arrangements and keep you informed as the process progresses.
Discussing the Funeral Arrangements
Once the immediate arrangements have been dealt with, we'll meet with you to discuss the funeral. This is where we'll talk through the different options and establish what you would like the funeral to include. You may already have a clear idea of what your loved one wanted.
Alternatively, you may need advice about almost every aspect of the funeral. Either is perfectly normal. Our role is to explain the choices available and make the arrangements according to your wishes.
Burial or Cremation
One of the main decisions is whether the funeral will be followed by a burial or cremation. If your loved one left instructions about this, we'll make sure their wishes are taken into account. If there are no clear instructions, we'll explain what is involved with each option and answer your questions.
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For a burial, we'll arrange the necessary cemetery or churchyard arrangements and establish whether an existing family grave can be used where appropriate. If cremation is chosen, we'll make the necessary arrangements with the crematorium and explain what happens before and after the cremation.
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For more information to help you decide which option might be right for you, please click on the link below to explore our guide to choosing between burials and cremations:
Arranging the Funeral Service
Next, we'll discuss where the funeral service will take place and who will conduct it. This could be at a church, crematorium, cemetery chapel or another suitable location. The service may be religious, non-religious or follow particular family or cultural traditions. We'll liaise with the relevant minister, celebrant or officiant and make sure they have the information they need to conduct the service.
Choosing the Coffin?
In some instances, you may want to consider a coffin as part of the funeral arrangements. We'll explain the different coffin options available and help you choose one that is appropriate for the funeral. There are different materials, styles and finishes to consider, and we'll explain what is available rather than expecting you to know what to look for. If the funeral is to be followed by a burial or cremation, we'll also explain any relevant requirements.​
Deciding on the Funeral Details
Once the main arrangements have been agreed, we'll discuss the details that make up the service. This is an opportunity to consider how the funeral can reflect the person who has died, their wishes and the preferences of those attending. We can talk through each option with you and explain what needs to be arranged, so you can make decisions at your own pace. Some of the aspects you may want to consider include:
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Music
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Readings
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Eulogies
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Floral tributes
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Donations to charity
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Orders of service
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Funeral vehicles
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Personal items or photographs
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You don't need to decide everything during your first meeting. We'll explain what needs to be arranged and make sure there is enough time to finalise the details before the funeral.
Organising the Funeral
Once you've agreed the arrangements, we'll take care of the organisation behind the scenes. This can involve coordinating with:
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The cemetery or crematorium
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Churches and other venues
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Ministers and celebrants
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Hospitals, hospices and care homes
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Florists
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Printers
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Funeral vehicle providers
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Cemetery and memorial services
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We'll confirm the arrangements with you and make sure everyone involved has the information they need. This means you don't have to contact several different organisations and try to coordinate everything yourself.
What Happens Before the Funeral?
In the days leading up to the funeral, we'll make sure the arrangements are in place. We'll confirm the date and time, check that the service details are correct and ensure the necessary paperwork has been received.
If you have ordered flowers, an order of service or other items, we'll coordinate these as part of the arrangements. We'll also explain what will happen on the day, including when you need to arrive and what you can expect from the funeral service. ​If anything needs to be changed, we'll discuss this with you and make the necessary arrangements wherever possible.
What Happens on the Day of the Funeral?
On the day of the funeral, we'll oversee the arrangements and coordinate the people involved. At Clive Pugh Funeral Directors we will make sure the funeral follows the arrangements that have been agreed and will liaise with the venue and officiant as required.
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We'll manage the practical details, including the arrival of the hearse, funeral vehicles and family members, so that you don't have to worry about coordinating these arrangements yourself. Here our role is to make sure the funeral proceeds as planned.
What Happens After the Funeral?
Our involvement doesn't necessarily end as soon as the service is over. Depending on the arrangements, there may be further matters to deal with, such as the collection or delivery of ashes, burial arrangements or questions about memorials.
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If you have arranged the funeral with us and have a question afterwards, we're happy to provide practical advice or point you towards the appropriate organisation if specialist help is required. If you would like to learn more, we also have a guide to explore what happens after a funeral in more depth. You can click on the link below to learn more.
How Long Does It Take to Arrange a Funeral?
There isn't a standard length of time between a death and a funeral. The timing can depend on whether the death has been registered, whether the Coroner is involved, availability at the chosen cemetery or crematorium and the family's wishes.
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We'll discuss the likely timescale with you and keep you informed as arrangements are made. If there are delays outside our control, such as a Coroner's investigation, we'll explain what this means and keep you updated. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So we are with you every step of the way when you need us.
Arranging a Funeral with Clive Pugh Funeral Directors
The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to arrange a funeral on your own. From the first conversation, we'll explain what needs to happen, answer your questions and take care of the practical arrangements on your behalf.
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Whether you already know what your loved one wanted or you're unsure where to begin, Clive Pugh Funeral Directors can guide you through the process and make sure the funeral arrangements are handled professionally from beginning to end. If you need advice about arranging a funeral in Shrewsbury, Shropshire or the surrounding areas, feel free to reach out to us when you're ready.
With You Every Step of the Way
Date and Time
Following registration, a date and time can then be arranged.
Cremation or Burial
In many cases a loved one will have left their own specific preference. Once the decision for a cremation or burial has been made, a venue for the service and order of events can be agreed upon.
Chapel of Rest
Our private chapel is available for you to spend time with your loved one, also allowing your relatives and friends the chance to say "goodbye".
The Funeral Service
We will liaise with the Clergy, Humanist Minister or Celebrant of your choice. Alternatively, if no specific Minister is requested we can suggest a Minister who will guide you through the order of service. The readings, hymns and eulogies will all be discussed.
Coffins, Caskets and Urns
We offer a large range of traditional coffins, caskets and urns. You can choose from many different styles and we offer a range of price points. Should you want to offer a unique tribute to your loved one, ask us about our customisation options. If you are looking for something in particular, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Vehicles
We take pride in being able to offer a comprehensive selection of vehicles. A horse drawn hearse is also available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know what kind of funeral I want?
No. You can contact us without having made any decisions. We'll explain the options available and guide you through the arrangements.
Can you arrange the funeral on my behalf?
Yes. We can coordinate the practical arrangements and liaise with the various organisations and suppliers involved in the funeral.
Do I need to arrange the funeral immediately after someone dies?
You should contact a funeral director when you're ready, but you don't need to have every detail decided straight away. We'll explain which arrangements need to be dealt with first.
​Can I change the arrangements after we've agreed them?
Where possible, yes. If something needs to be changed before the funeral, speak to us as soon as possible and we'll explain what can be done depending on which stage of the process we are in.
How much involvement do I need to have in arranging the funeral?
That is up to you. Some families want to be involved in every decision, while others prefer us to take care of as much as possible. We'll work with you according to your wishes.
Can you help me decide between burial and cremation?
Yes. If you're unsure what would be most appropriate, we'll explain the practical differences between the two options and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision.