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It is often assumed, quite wrongly, that funerals can be completed only with the use of a funeral director.

The majority of people choose to make their funeral arrangements through a funeral director. However, some people see independent funerals as more personal and less expensive.

If this approach appeals, and you have the time to research and prepare for your personal requirements, please contact us and we will help you.

You could also get information from the . Some funeral directors may also be willing to assist in arranging such funerals.

Some people do not wish to use a funeral director. This can be for a wide variety of reasons:

• They may feel that passing the body of a loved one over to strangers is wrong
• Some feel that personally organising a funeral is their final tribute to the deceased person
• Others may simply wish to save money by doing everything themselves or may have used a funeral director on a previous occasion and found the experience unsatisfactory
• Some may feel that funerals arranged with a funeral director are routine and processed, and some may desire an innovative and different approach

It is, of course, your right to make this decision without giving a reason.

Organising an independent funeral

The entire funeral can be handled by the bereaved family and we can help you with this. Such a funeral is referred to as 'personalised' or 'independent'.

These funerals will be different because traditional funeral elements may be unobtainable. Currently, many funeral directors will not sell coffins separately, neither will they offer a hearse for use, unless the entire funeral package is purchased.

Consequently, personalised funeral arrangers use their own vehicles or hire vans in lieu of a hearse. They may also make their own coffin or use a biodegradable type.

New approaches

It is possible that the dominant and traditional role of funeral directors is diminishing, as new approaches are sought.

A new type of "green" funeral director is emerging, promoting bio-degradable coffins and a more personal approach. Funeral facilitators are also appearing.

They are people who will assist the bereaved in organising a funeral for a fee. They may offer a vehicle to carry the coffin and assist in handling the body. Other people, such as nurses, may offer laying-out or body preparation services, to avoid people having to do this themselves. This may be particularly relevant when a person dies at home within a "hospice at home" scheme. These changes are evidence of a return to past times, when various members of the community helped in the completion of a funeral.

Please see our financial help with funeral costs

• It is your right to organise a funeral without the use of a funeral director.
• It is your right, as executor (or next of kin) to be given the body by a mortuary, hospital, etc., in order to carry out a funeral without a funeral director.
• It is your right to obtain a coffin (minimum biodegradable type) via your Charter member (Â鶹ÊÓƵ).
• It is your right to obtain a Personalised or Independent funeral leaflet form your Charter member describing how to arrange a funeral without a funeral director.