Wood
All, Funeral planning

How to choose the right coffin or casket

You go through life choosing clothes, cars, furniture and home decor that makes a statement; why should it be any different when it comes to your final journey?

This guide helps you choose the right coffin or casket.  We review the differences in design, materials, and their suitability for cremation, burial and greener funerals.

Who is this guide for? 

  • Anyone who wants to know what choices are available for coffins and caskets
  • Anyone who is thinking about personalising their choice of coffin or caskets
  • Anyone who wants a prepaid funeral plan and is curious about the types of coffin or casket included

Reading time:

 4 mins


What is the difference between a coffin and a casket?

Have you ever imagined your own funeral?  

Are mourners lining the streets, and TV newscasters celebrating your example of humanity at its  finest? Or maybe no-one’s there. Whatever you’ve imagined, there’s one major detail missing from your fantasy funeral. No, not the dying part.

Picture this… you are planning ahead and you are standing in the funeral director's showroom being shown the latest models. The funeral director lifts a lid to show you the plush white velvet button-backed interior and asks you whether you prefer the look of a coffin or a casket. And then you realise that you don't know the difference - except that one is hugely more expensive than the other in this scenario.

So, what is the difference and how do you choose the right coffin or casket?

Let's start with the basics.

A coffin

A coffin has six sides and is tapered at the foot end. The sides can be plain or panelled.  The lid can be flat, or go up to three tiers in height.

Coffins tend to be cheaper.

A casket

A casket has four sides and is rectangular in shape.  The lid can be split, which means the top half can be left open during a viewing or funeral service.  

Caskets tend to be more expensive.

(The term 'casket' can also refer to the box-shaped container that houses someone's ashes, following a cremation, but those are obviously a lot smaller!)

Both coffin and caskets come in a huge range of different materials and finishes

The interior materials, colours and prints used for the linings and pillows are also varied. You can have pretty much anything you want. Casket interiors tend to be more luxurious - typically being upholstered in a soft brushed velvet or crepe material, including the inside of the lid.

The coffin is more frequently chosen for funerals in the UK.   Perhaps this is owing to the British reserve - caskets are more 'showy' (see American TV shows for examples), or down to the fact that coffins are typically cheaper.  Funerals can be expensive.  

The average cost of a basic funeral in 2021  is £4,184 (rising to £9,263 when you factor in the funeral extras and legal bill for estate administration).  There are plenty of people who won't have the money for this unexpected expense (1 in 7 go into debt).  

What are the different types of coffins and caskets?

Coffins and caskets come in a variety of materials and designs. 

  • Wood effect  (made from MDF or similar, and wrapped in paper that looks like wood)
  • Wood veneer 
  • Solid wood 
  • Wool 
  • Cardboard 
  • Wicker (made from e.g. willow, seagrass, bamboo, banana leaf, pandanus)

Caskets are also available in metal, which makes them more durable and suitable for vault burials.  They come in a variety of finishes too,  including gold, bronze and copper.

How much do coffins and caskets cost in 2021?

As you might expect, prices vary massively - from cheap as chips to steeper than Everest!  Some examples of typical costs:

You can get a basic wood effect or cardboard coffin starting from £200  

You can get a simple wicker coffin from £300.  

You can buy an American steel casket for around £950 rising to as much as £25,000, depending on the material and interior.


Sources for average pricing:   About the Funeral, London Coffin Company, The Coffin Company, Comparethecoffin

What type of coffins and caskets are included in a prepaid funeral plan?

Each set prepaid funeral plan includes one of three types of coffin.  The types  can be broadly categorised as: 'Basic', 'Standard' and 'High quality'.  The funeral plan details will generally include the coffin material, e.g. wood veneer, solid wood, wicker.  

The reason the descriptions are so vague is because no-one knows when the funeral will take place and the type of coffins and caskets available today, quite possibly won't be available when the time comes.

The type of coffin almost always matches the level of service benefits provided in the plan, i.e. the 'Basic' lowest cost wood effect or natural eco coffin will be included in the lowest cost and simplest in the range of funeral plans on offer.

Caskets are not usually included in a set plan.  See our Top tips below if a casket is what you want.

Top tips for getting the coffin or casket you want when buying a prepaid funeral plan

If the coffin included in your set funeral plan doesn't match what you had in mind, here are a few things you can do:

  1. 1
    Make a request
    Have a chat with the funeral plan provider.   If it's possible to personalise the plan, ask them to update your funeral plan notes with the details of the coffin or casket you would like if it is available at the time of the funeral, and that doesn't incur an additional charge for your family. Or if your budget allows, you might even like to think about purchasing a coffin in advance, may be even personalising it.  And providing the plan provider agrees it's fit for purpose at the time it's needed, ask them to use that instead.
  2. 2
    Tailor your funeral plan
    Ask the plan provider if you can tailor your set funeral plan.
    Swap the coffin type (e.g. 'Basic' for 'Standard') or let them know the specific coffin or casket type you want and would be willing to pay extra for now, or make a contribution towards - this means that any shortfall would have to be paid for at the time of the funeral.     
  3. 3
    Change your funeral plan
    If you are set on using a particular funeral plan provider, it may be cheaper and better value to upgrade your plan if you want a better standard of coffin, e.g. go for the 'Gold' funeral plan with the extra services included, instead of the 'Silver' funeral plan.   As with all major purchases, research and compare your options before you buy.

What is an eco-friendly coffin or casket?

Eco-friendly coffins and caskets are 100% biodegradable and made from sustainable sources, e.g. recycled materials constructed from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sourced timber. Eco coffins do not contain plastic or metal.

Types of coffin and casket linings include jute and unbleached organic cotton. Handles can be wooden or made from rope. Lids are fastened with closing toggles or poles.

Eco-friendly coffins are locally sourced in the UK and imported with consideration to the environment, such as Russian Doll style (one inside another, insider another, inside another …).

Pebble coffin & urn
by Pebblewood


Adult pebble coffin shown in use as a coffee table (left).  Commission only.  

Matching urns available from £425, and keepsake urns from £215.

Soft coffins and shrouds:  The alternatives to traditional coffins and caskets

An alternative to a coffin or casket is a soft coffin or shroud. There are various choices of materials for these too, such as cotton, bamboo yarn and wool felt, with integrated handles. The shroud can be carried with the aid of a willow stretcher.

Woollen shroud 
by Bellacouche

Prices from £835

Which coffins and caskets are suitable for cremation and burial?

Any type of coffin is suitable for burial.  Only eco-friendly biodegradable coffins will be accepted at natural burial grounds.   And metal caskets are suitable for burial only and repatriation.

If you like the idea of making your funeral as green as possible and would like to be cremated, an  untreated solid wood coffin or casket is the best option as it takes less energy to burn than wicker and cardboard.

Can you buy a coffin in advance of the funeral?

Yes, you can.

For those who want to think outside the box, so to speak, your coffin or casket could be purchased long before you need it for its intended purpose and could be used in the meantime as a bespoke piece of furniture, such as a bookcase, a coffee table, wine rack or a blanket box.  Any of these (which, incidentally, have all been done) would undoubtedly become a talking point.

Shelves for Life by William Warren
Shelves For Life
by William Warren


At the time of the funeral, the shelves can be taken apart and reassembled to make your coffin.

The brass plate (on the bottom shelf) is for inscription with your name and dates.


Email if you would like measurements and instructions to build your own. (Include your height and build). 

How to personalise a coffin or casket 

Even if you decide to run with the coffin or casket's original function, you can still personalise the design if you buy it ahead of time or your family can decorate it before the funeral.  It could be painted in your favourite colour, with a memorable scene, or just paint the coffin lid in blackboard paint for the mourners to write messages.  Or how about covering it in decoupage using album covers, sheets of music, sentimental photos, football programmes ...

Glitter coffins

Glitter coffins from The Glitter Coffin Company

Off the shelf out-of-the-ordinary choices include sparkling glitter coffins in every hue imaginable, and for the more glamorous effect, a coffin or casket covered in Swarovski crystals.

'Picture' coffins and caskets are popular. This is where the coffin or casket is wrapped in one of many existing printed designs of flowers, animals, transport, sport and hobbies.  You can even create your own design from your favourite photos and  photos of memorabilia.

All the above mentioned off the shelf options are available with matching ashes caskets.

Useful RESOURCES

Natural coffins
Woollen coffins - Natural Legacy
Natural coffins - JC Atkinson
Pebble coffin –  Pebblewood Urns
Woollen felt coffins and shrouds - Bellacouche

Decorated coffins
Glitter coffins -  Glitter Coffin Company
Crystal coffins -  Colourful Coffins


Picture coffins
Picture coffins -  JC Atkinson
Picture coffins -  Colourful Coffins


DIY
Flatpack coffin -  Coffin Club
Shelves for Life -  William Warren

LEAVE GREAT MEMORIES, NOT LOOSE ENDS.

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All, Funeral planning

How to write your own eulogy

The task of writing a eulogy when a loved one dies often falls to a close family member or friend.  It can feel especially daunting because it’s frequently at short notice, and there’s only one chance to do it well.

This guide offers an alternative to leaving that burden behind, so that your loved ones are not lost for words when they’re already dealing with your loss.   We’ll show you how to create a eulogy you can be proud of, even if you’ve never written one before.  That’s one thing we can take the grief out of.  

Who is this guide for? 

  • Anyone who wants to leave a special message for mourners at their own funeral 
  • Anyone who wants to improve a eulogy they are planning or have already written 
  • Anyone thinking about leaving instructions or some pointers for their own eulogy

Reading time:

 3.5 mins


What is the purpose of a eulogy?

Most funeral services include a eulogy and it’s more than just a pretty speech.  When it’s written well, the eulogy gives a flavour of the deceased’s personality and journey through life.  At a time of heightened emotions, the eulogy can also ease the pain a little and help people to grieve.   

Why it makes sense to write your own eulogy

No one wants to hear a eulogy that starts with: “I didn’t know the deceased well, but I like to think…”  But lots of people have.  

Writing your own eulogy is not only a kindness to others, it also gives you the opportunity to select your favourite anecdotes to be remembered by.  Nobody knows you better than you. 

You get to tell your story your own way.  That could mean paying tribute to loved ones and friends, sharing some passions, or acknowledging some failings.  Many of us go through life feeling we’ve been misunderstood, but this is one way of definitively setting the record straight!  A good eulogy conveys the deceased’s character and gives solace to the bereaved.  

What is the structure of a eulogy?

Before you start writing your own eulogy, you need to understand the nuts and bolts.

 A eulogy typically lasts around five minutes and is a central part of the funeral or memorial service; on paper that equates to roughly a page and a half of text.  

Now that you understand what the eulogy is for and the ideal length, you can break it down into manageable sections that flow naturally.  The big question is: what do you want to say?  

How to make a start writing your own eulogy

A straightforward approach to creating your own eulogy would be to have three sections.  

  1. 1
    The beginning introduces you on your own terms.  That could mean solemn, humorous or any point in-between.  As the saying goes, it’s your funeral!  
  2. 2
    The middle section covers some life events, usually in chronological order, so that could reference childhood, adult life (work / family) and later life.  
  3. 3
    The end section could be what you feel you’ve learned from your time on Earth or a mention of those you’re leaving behind.  This part may also include a moment of reflection.  

The importance of writing a eulogy in your own voice

Act naturally.

No one expects you to tell a whole life story in five minutes.  What you can do instead is touch upon key milestones in your life and maybe one or two appropriate anecdotes, bearing in mind the mixed audience and the emotions of the day.  

Writing in your usual speaking voice will give your words authenticity and bring your presence into the room.   

The alternatives to writing your own eulogy

Putting your own eulogy on paper can be difficult.  Aside from the practicalities of finding a structure that works for you and deciding what to include or leave out, it means confronting your own mortality and perhaps thinking about those who must go on without you.  

What are the alternatives if you struggle with the writing?

There are a couple of options that may make the process easier for you: 

1
Record your eulogy instead

Not everyone is a writer, and some people find they can organise their thoughts better by speaking.  Use the voice recording function on a mobile phone, or the free-to-use software such as Audacity which enables you to record and edit your words, plus add music.  It’s just record, cut, copy and paste.  Then you convert the file to mp3 or wav format.

Or why not video yourself using your mobile phone?  For a full belt and braces approach, upload your video to a captioning service.  If the mourners can’t hear you, hopefully they will be able to read you.

2
Write some pointers

Rather than creating the full eulogy, you could write out some pointers.  This could include which people to speak with, some hints about what you’d want to be said, and any phrases or anecdotes you would like to be included. 

What to do with your eulogy once it is written

Whether you decide to write your whole eulogy, just jot down some notes, or record your final speech for posterity, make sure other people know about it and where to find it.  

Once you've had your say keep a copy (always have at least one back-up copy!) with other important documents, such as your funeral wishes, your Will and your funeral plan if you have one. 

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All, Funeral planning

How to choose the right music for your funeral

Music moves us like no other art form.  It enables us to express emotions and form emotional memories, which is especially relevant at a funeral service.  

This guide considers the purposes music can serve at a funeral and where music fits into a ceremony.

Who is this guide for?

  • Anyone planning a funeral who wants music that sets a particular tone 
  • Anyone who wants to know where music occurs in a funeral ceremony 
  • Anyone wondering how to choose the music for their funeral 

Reading time:

 3.5 mins


Where words fail

What is the purpose of music at funerals?

Selecting the right music for your funeral can be a daunting task, especially if you’re a lover of music. So much to choose from! How you begin to whittle down your choice starts with why music is played at funerals.

Music is an integral part of a funeral service and accomplishes several things:

  • It personalises the service by reflecting an aspect of your personality or life. 
  • It sets the tone of the funeral, whether that is formal, religious, or contemporary. 
  • List It uplifts or consoles.
  • It brings people together and allows them to grieve.

How many pieces of music can be included in a funeral?

Typically, three pieces of music are played during the 45-minute average length funeral with a ceremony.  The duration can be doubled for an additional fee paid to the crematorium or place of burial, plus the funeral director for their extra time.

You can, of course, include as many pieces of music as you like during the ceremony – it could be all music - although it is usually interspersed with the eulogy, speeches and readings from family and other mourners.   A Christian funeral service will typically include two hymns.  With that in mind, allow 3 – 4 minutes per piece of music.

How to squeeze more music into your funeral ceremony

One way to include a wider range of your favourite music is to only choose selected verses from a particular hymn, or to ask for just an excerpt to be played from a popular song or a piece of classical music. It’s important to leave clear instructions as to which excerpt.

It’s also vitally important you give details of the composer or which version of a song you want to be played, preferably with the album title. The ever-popular, smooth-as-silk rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Eva Cassidy might be what you have in mind at your funeral, but if you don’t specify the recording artist you could end up with the version by Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, giving an altogether different feel to your send-off!

At what points is music played during a funeral service?

Music is usually played at the following key points during a funeral service:

1

As the mourners arrive in the space where the service takes place.

2
During a period of reflection in the middle of the service, known as the committal.
3
At the end of the service as the mourners leave.

You may decide to have a song played that meant something to you as mourners take their seats, a more formal piece of music during the committal and something uplifting at the end. It all comes down to personal choice and what you want to convey in the service.

How to convey to your audience who you are through your choice of funeral music

It is possible that not everyone who attends your funeral to pay their last respects will know you well.  

To keep in tune with your audience, your eulogy could be used to help some people understand why a song has been chosen that wouldn’t be traditionally associated with a funeral and ensures your funeral hits the right note.

10 pieces of classical music for funerals as chosen by Classic FM


  1. Barber – Adagio for Strings
  2. Mahler – Adagietto (Symphony No 5)
  3. Elgar – Nimrod
  4. Percy Grainger – Irish Tune from County Derry
  5. Arvo Pärt -  Cantus
  6. Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
  7. Pachelbel – Canon in D
  8. Bach – Air on a G String
  9. Albinoni – Adagio in G minor
  10. Schubert – Ave Maria
Top of the classics

10 hits that regularly top polls for the most popular choice of funeral music


  1. Monty Python - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
  2. Eva Cassidy - Over the Rainbow
  3. Frank Sinatra - My Way
  4. Andrea Bocelli - Time To Say Goodbye
  5. Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli - Prayer
  6. Robbie Williams - Angels
  7. Nat King Cole - Unforgettable
  8. Vera Lynn - We’ll Meet Again
  9. Abba - Dancing Queen
  10. Westlife - You Raise Me Up
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All, Funeral planning

How to get to your funeral

When you’re planning a funeral, especially your own, it’s surprising how many aspects of the big event you can tailor. Take getting there…


The way you are conveyed on your final journey to the funeral (as well as the route) can help those left behind better understand who you were. You might like to take care of the transport arrangements for loved ones too, so getting to the funeral on time is one less thing for them to worry about.  This guide looks at some of the transport choices available and offers suggestions.

Who is this guide for?

  • Anyone who wants to personalise how they are transported to their funeral
  • Anyone thinking about arranging transport for loved ones
  • Anyone thinking about personalising their final journey within a prepaid funeral plan

Reading time:

 3 mins


Choosing the right family car

Traditionally a hearse transports the coffin, with the option of additional vehicles (‘family cars’) to convey the chief mourners to the service. These are typically one or more limousines (petrol and electric versions), each of which can carry up to six people, sometimes seven (the passenger seat next to the driver).

Limousines are not essential – some people feel more comfortable in their own cars – but many people appreciate having others to share such a poignant journey.

Taking care of the transport takes care of the people you care about, by removing one stress and worry on the day, ensuring t they’ll get to to the funeral on time.

Some funeral hearse transport ideas

Traditionally a hearse transports the coffin, with the option of additional vehicles (‘family cars’) to convey the chief mourners to the service. These are typically one or more limousines (petrol and electric versions), each of which can carry up to six people, sometimes seven (the passenger seat next to the driver).

Limousines are not essential – some people feel more comfortable in their own cars – but many people appreciate having others to share such a poignant journey.

Taking care of the transport takes care of the people you care about, by removing one stress and worry on the day, ensuring t they’ll get to to the funeral on time.

Some funeral hearse transport ideas

Traditionally a hearse transports the coffin, with the option of additional vehicles (‘family cars’) to convey the chief mourners to the service. These are typically one or more limousines (petrol and electric versions), each of which can carry up to six people, sometimes seven (the passenger seat next to the driver).

Limousines are not essential – some people feel more comfortable in their own cars – but many people appreciate having others to share such a poignant journey.

Taking care of the transport takes care of the people you care about, by removing one stress and worry on the day, ensuring t they’ll get to to the funeral on time.

Prefer to keep things simple? What about an estate car, a Land Rover, or – popular with natural meadow and woodland burial grounds – a bicycle hearse or a handcart?

And if you’re determined to have the last laugh, there’s always Del Boy’s three-wheeler from Only Fools & Horses reimagined as a hearse, or one that looks like the Batmobile.

You can more or less ask for whatever you want.  Essentially, if it’s legal, your funeral provider will try their best to accommodate.

Prices for an alternative hearse will be about double what you would expect to pay for a traditional motor hearse.   If budget is your primary consideration, the lowest cost option is what’s termed a 'specialist vehicle’ or ‘suitable vehicle’ – typically a private ambulance or estate car. 

Procession route: Going down memory lane 

You can specify the route to be taken on the way to the funeral.

Instead of going direct to the crematorium or place of burial, you could leave instructions for the cortege to depart from your place of rest (e.g. your home or funeral home) and take in places along the way that were meaningful to you. That might be the park you walked the dogs, the place where you got married, your favourite pub (also handy for showing people where the reception is!), your local footie ground or a bench where you’ve enjoyed watching the world go by. You could even specify a drive through your hometown on the way to your journey’s end at the crematorium or place of burial. 

The only limitation on where and how far you travel will be if you use a funeral director. The funeral director has services with and without the option to travel a particular route, and within a number of miles – which can sometimes be extended for an extra cost per mile. 

What transport options are included in a funeral plan?

The short answer is: it depends. There are a variety of prepaid funeral plans to suit all needs, with transport or without, and the option to upgrade, e.g. to a horse-drawn hearse.

A plan will include a traditional hearse or a suitable vehicle as standard, and typically up to two limousines. The funeral cortege will start its journey either directly from the funeral home or from outside your home. Some funeral plans offer scope for personalising the journey within a mileage allowance.

Funeral plan providers’ terms differ as to when you can make changes to your Plan - at the time you buy, during, or after a final payment – and indeed, if you can make changes.

Only Fools and Hearses

For all Trotter fans and independent traders

Useful RESOURCES

Only Fools & Hearses - bygc.me/onlyfoolsanrdhearses

Vintage Lorry bygc.me/lorry

Motorcycle Hearse - bygc.me/motorcycle

Trike Hearse - bygc.me/trike

Morris Minor Hearse - bygc.me/moggy

Land Rover Hearse  - bygc.me/landrover

Bicycle Hearse - bygc.me/bicycle

Chevrolet 3001 Pickup - bygc.me/chevrolet

Ford Funeral Handy Van bygc.me/handyvan

VW Camper Van - bygc.me/vw

Fire Engine Hearse - bygc.me/fireengine

Hot-rod Hearse - bygc.me/hotrod

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All, Funeral planning

Is embalming necessary?

Of all the processes and procedures associated with the treatment of a body after death and before a funeral, embalming is the least understood by the general public. 

This guide explains what embalming is (often referred to as 'hygienic treatment'), and why you might consider it for your body after death.

Who is this guide for? 

  • Anyone who wants to know what embalming is
  • Anyone unsure if embalming is necessary
  • Anyone who is thinking about their body being visited by family and friends after they die

Reading time:

 3 mins


What is embalming?

Put simply, embalming is a way of preserving a body’s ‘life-like’ appearance after death and slowing down the natural process of decomposition. 

Is embalming mandatory?

No, embalming is not mandatory.  Your loved ones can still touch you and kiss you as they say their goodbyes if you aren't embalmed.  But there are a couple of exceptions:

  • If you die with a communicable disease you will be embalmed to protect the health of others.
  • If you are to be repatriated overseas. 

The cost charged by a funeral directors today for embalming is around £120.

Why might I choose to be embalmed?

It can be both a practical and an aesthetic choice.

Embalming not only improves the condition of your body after death temporarily giving you a ‘relaxed’ appearance, it can also restore colour tone to your skin.   If you look much like you used to when you were alive, this of course can considerably improve the experience for loved ones should they want to visit you before the funeral.  

4 reasons why you might choose not to be embalmed?

1

Embalming is an invasive procedure.   A chemical solution is introduced into your body.    No internal organs are removed for this process.  

2

There is a possibility that embalming may not restore the skin tone to the one you had in life. (You could end up looking like you have just come back from a two-week Caribbean holiday, when your normal pallor is akin to having taken a weekend break in Skegness ).  And some people notice a ‘chemical odour’ around an embalmed body.  Both of these potential side-effects can cause additional distress to loved ones at a time when they are already coping with their loss.

3

You may choose not be embalmed on religious grounds.  Both Judaism and Islam prohibit the practice of embalming, unless it is a legal requirement. Other religions have a neutral stance.

4

If you are planning on having a green burial, you need to be aware that natural woodland and meadow burial grounds will not normally accept embalmed bodies, due to the toxicity of the chemicals used and the harm it can cause the surrounding ecosystem. 

Embalming is a sensitive subject that some people feel uncomfortable discussing. However, if you have specific questions or would like to know more about it, we suggest you contact The British Institute of Embalmers.

Useful RESOURCES

For more information on embalming, contact The British Institute of Embalmers   

  01564 778991      

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Funeral planning

How to get to your funeral

When you’re planning a funeral, especially your own, it’s surprising how many aspects of the big event you can tailor.  Take getting there…  

The way you are conveyed on your final journey to the funeral (as well as the route) can help those left behind better understand who you were.  You might like to take care of the transport arrangements for loved ones too, so getting to the funeral on time is one less thing for them to worry about. This guide looks at some of the transport choices available and offers suggestions.

Who is this guide for?

  • Anyone who wants to personalise how they are transported to their funeral
  • Anyone thinking about arranging transport for loved ones 
  • Anyone thinking about personalising their final journey within a prepaid funeral plan

Reading time:

 3 mins


Family cars 

Traditionally a hearse transports the coffin, with the option of additional vehicles (‘family cars’) to convey the chief mourners to the service.  These are typically one or more limousines (petrol and electric versions), each of which can carry up to six people, sometimes seven (the passenger seat next to the driver).   

Limousines are not essential – some people feel more comfortable in their own cars – but many people appreciate having others to share such a poignant journey.  

Taking care of the transport takes care of the people you care about, by removing one stress and worry on the day, ensuring t they’ll get to to the funeral on time.    

Some funeral hearse transport ideas 

And what about the hearse – what if you’d prefer to flout convention and go out in the style of your choosing?  After all, it’s your last chance to make a statement!  

A traditional motor hearse is classy, and there are electric versions for the eco-minded.  Or how about a horse-drawn hearse with a glass carriage and feather plumes in your favourite colour for the horses?  Still a bit conventional?  You could opt for a fire engine, a JCB (yes, really!), or a tractor.  Perhaps something more retro would tick your boxes, such as a motorcycle and sidecar (that’s where you’d be), a trike motorbike hearse, a vintage lorry, a milk float for a very special delivery, or a VW camper van?   

Prefer to keep things simple?  What about an estate car, a Land Rover, or – popular with natural meadow and woodland burial grounds – a bicycle hearse or a handcart? 
And if you’re determined to have the last laugh, there’s always Del Boy’s three-wheeler from Only Fools & Horses reimagined as a hearse, or one that looks like the Batmobile.  

You can more or less ask for whatever you want. Essentially, if it’s legal, your funeral provider will try their best to accommodate.  

Prices for an alternative hearse will be about double what you would expect to pay for a traditional motor hearse.  If budget is your primary consideration, the lowest cost option is what’s termed a 'specialist vehicle’ or ‘suitable vehicle’ – typically a private ambulance or estate car.  

Procession route: Going down memory lane  

You can specify the route to be taken on the way to the funeral. 

Instead of going direct to the crematorium or place of burial, you could leave instructions for the cortege to depart from your place of rest (e.g. your home or funeral home) and take in places along the way that were meaningful to you.  That might be the park you walked the dogs, the place where you got married, your favourite pub (also handy for showing people where the reception is!), your local footie ground or a bench where you’ve enjoyed watching the world go by.  You could even specify a drive through your hometown on the way to your journey’s end at the crematorium or place of burial. 

The only limitation on where and how far you travel will be if you use a funeral director. The funeral director has services with and without the option to travel a particular route, and within a number of miles – which can sometimes be extended for an extra cost per mile. 

What transport options are included in a funeral plan? 

The short answer is: it depends.  There are a variety of prepaid funeral plans to suit all needs, with transport or without, and the option to upgrade, e.g. to a horse-drawn hearse. 

A plan will include a traditional hearse or a suitable vehicle as standard, and typicallup to two limousines.  The funeral cortege will start its journey either directly from the funeral home or from outside your home.  Some funeral plans offer scope for personalising the journey within a mileage allowance.    

Funeral plan providers’ terms differ as to when you can make changes to your Plan - at the time you buy, during, or after a final payment – and indeed, if you can make changes. 

Useful RESOURCES


Only Fools & Hearses - bygc.me/onlyfoolsanrdhearses

Vintage Lorry - bygc.me/lorry

Motorcycle Hearse - bygc.me/motorcycle

Trike Hearse - bygc.me/trike

Morris Minor Hearse - bygc.me/moggy

Land Rover Hearse  - bygc.me/landrover

Bicycle Hearse - bygc.me/bicycle

Chevrolet 3001 Pickup - bygc.me/chevrolet

Ford Funeral Handy Van bygc.me/handyvan

VW Camper Van - bygc.me/vw

Fire Engine Hearse - bygc.me/fireengine

Hot-rod Hearse - bygc.me/hotrod

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All, Funeral planning

Instructions for the mourners

Everything about the mourners invited or not invited to your funeral speaks volumes about you and your relationship with them. 

As this is your final get together, just like an invitation to a party, they may appreciate a little help with the dress code and what to bring. It sets the mood and tone. Would the traditional black dress fit the bill or something a little outrageous?  Flowers or donations?

When planning your own funeral it’s certainly worth a little thought and something they can remember you by.

Who is this guide for? 

  • Anyone who wants to set the mood and tone of their funeral
  • Anyone wanting some dress code ideas for the mourners

Reading time:

 1.5 mins


How to choose the dress code for the mourners at your funeral

You might want to factor in that different generations have different ideas about what a funeral should be, and leave it open to choice.  That way, anyone who wants to attend in traditional black can do so without feeling uncomfortable, while those who prefer to dress smartly (or not!) can do their own thing.  

Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Themed funerals are growing in popularity. You could reflect some aspect of your life, whether that’s your favourite colour, a cause that meant a lot to you (e.g. pink for its associations with breast cancer awareness), or a theme you’ve devised to go out on an unforgettable note.

What about a Star Wars theme for a funeral? You can have the last laugh and request that the funeral staff also honour your sartorial directions, which could mean dressing up as Darth Vader.  Or you could ask them to wear pink wellies to your woodland funeral or  yellow bow ties  - or both!

Let your imagination run wild: vintage clothes, 1920s, historical and Marvel comic hero costumes …

There is no right or wrong answer here, only personal preference.    Just be sure  that  everyone knows  the dress code  in advance so that no one is  entirely  surprised when your best friend turns up  in fancy dress.

Who to invite to your funeral?

Who is on your guest list?  

You can have your say who is at the service and who is invited afterwards for refreshments.  It could be an open invitation, or you might want to keep one or two at the gates!

Funeral flowers or charitable donations? 

Do you have a preference for flowers?  If so, which flowers, what colour?  Would you like flowers from family only?

If a greener funeral is your preferred way to go, you could ask the mourners to bring along a potted plant or living wreath and everyone could take a pot home at the end of the day. 

Maybe you’d prefer charitable donations to a  cause you supported?  

You could offer a choice of both  flower power  and  good causes.  The choice is all yours. 

Useful RESOURCES

How to make a living wreath
For a greener way to go

Directory of UK charities  
Who will you leave a gift to?

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Healing power of writing and poetry
All, Family matters

How creative writing and poetry can heal grief

Creative writing and poetry allows you to access your emotions and unlock some of the pain following a bereavement.

Whether you are the writer or the reader,  the written word can be the tonic you need to help you through the grieving journey. 

Who is this guide for? 

  • Anyone suffering from loss 
  • Anyone who is interested in exploring an alternative form of self-help bereavement therapy
  • Anyone who wants to know where to start in expressing their grief through creative writing

Reading time:

 3 mins


Why the written word is so important

When we were children, a kind word could ease most of life’s hurts and injustices.

Similarly, after a loved one dies, every sympathy card means so much to us, regardless of whether it contains a stock phrase of condolence, a deeply personal message or poem, or the heartfelt recognition that ‘there are no words’.  

Every word matters.

How words can release the hurt of bereavement

Words have the ability to shape our experiences and perception, especially when they speak directly to our subconscious mind. The subconscious is more in touch with our emotions than our rational, logical sense of self. When we grieve it is that tender, vulnerable self that can get locked away. 

Words have a power and magic all of their own.

  • They can validate how you are feeling, rather than minimising it.  
  • They can acknowledge a shared experience so that you feel less alone and more willing to open up to others 

  • Thecan help you to grieve by putting you in touch with your own emotions, which is an essential aspect of healing.*  

The impact of words on the mind, emotions and body 

Although the pain of your grief may be emotional or psychological in origin, it is every bit as real as physical pain and potentially as detrimental to your health.

The language that you use to talk about this pain also has an impact on your well-being.**   

Mind body and soul

Ways to write your pain and longing 

Knowing all this, you can also use words creatively to help process your own grief. **

A diary or journal gives us the opportunity to say how you really feel, warts and all, without having to consider how an audience would receive it. You can talk about regret, and anger, and the loneliness of loss – topics that may be hard for others to hear, however much they want to support us.  

Creative writing can be a letter to a loved one who has died, expressing your profound sense of loss or detailing everyday events and thoughts that you long to share with them face-to-face. It can bring you comfort and release, helping you to make sense of life’s greatest mystery: how to live fully in the shadow of death.   

The power of poetry to help you grieve

Poetry, in particular, can help you keep love at the centre of your grief and make it beautiful on the page, whether the words remain a private treasure or a keepsake to share with others. 

Poetry’s use of metaphor and imagery let you capture the essence of your loss in imaginative ways. The right words, however few, can speak volumes. 

There is sorry and beauty in poetry.

How to write about grief and loss

There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and the same is true for creative writing.  Allow yourself the freedom to express what you need to and try to resist making changes right away.

Writing authentically puts you in touch with your own needs and helps you come to terms with your loss, one word at a time.

Write from the heart. 

Useful RESOURCES

Poetry Pharmacy

The world's first walk-in Poetry Pharmacy in Shropshire will prescribe and dispense the  stanzas you need to lift your spirits.

Consultations are also available by phone and email.

Sources:

* The Lancet:  Formulas for grief  The need to grieve 

** The Conversation:  Academic source of news and views  Talking about pain

** BBC World Service  How doctors' words can make you ill

*** Grist  The healing power of the written word 

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