Funeral Planning Ahead of Time

Thinking about funeral planning for ourselves or someone we love can be hard. In 2024, less than 1% of people knew all of their loved one’s funeral wishes.⁺ But knowing what the people you care about want to happen at their funeral is the only way to fully honour their wishes.

As well as talking with those close to you about your wishes and theirs, you can also look into how funeral plans can secure your future arrangements.

Don’t worry if you do find you’re in the dark about what your loved one wanted. There are simple and affordable funeral options available, like cremation only funerals, that allow you more time to plan a personal memorial.

⁺ Less than 1% of people knew all their loved one’s funeral wishes in 2024 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Why plan a funeral in advance?

Though it might seem daunting, taking the steps to plan a funeral in advance has several advantages.

Older Lady Filling Out Funeral Plan Form

Planning for yourself

If you choose to plan a funeral for yourself, it takes the stress away from your family as they know ahead of time exactly what you want to happen. Paying in advance takes away any financial burden too.

View our funeral plans

Older Couple Viewing Funeral Plans On Laptop

Planning for someone else

Making plans for a loved one’s funeral in advance also brings peace of mind as you can be reassured they will be cared for in the way you would want them to be when the time comes.

Setting up a plan for a loved one

Questions to consider when funeral planning

There are a few choices to be made to make sure that the funeral you’re planning reflects your preferences in the best possible way, but not all of them have to be made in advance. The more traditional aspects of a funeral can be done away with completely in favour of a simple funeral.

Type of funeral - Would you prefer a burial, cremation or direct cremation?
Funeral provider - Do the providers you're looking at specialise in your preferred funeral and offer the support you'd like?
Clothes - Do you want to be wearing anything specific? What would you like your family to wear?
Music - Are there any particular songs, hymns or special pieces of music you'd like played?
Readings - Would you like any specific readings, poems or prayers? Or any photos or letters to be placed in your coffin?
Personal touches - Who would you like to write your eulogy or obituary? Are any charity donations to be made in your name?
Burial - Where would you like to be buried? Who would you like to carry your coffin?
Ashes - If you've chosen a cremation, where would you like your ashes scattered or who would you want to keep them?
Memorial service - Would you like a sombre, serious and traditional affair or something more personal and modern?
Location - Where would you like the funeral itself and the memorial service/wake afterwards to take place?

Some people plan a funeral down to the smallest details. Others have a broader plan. How detailed you would like your funeral planning to get is entirely up to you.

Our funeral planning products

We have two simple and low cost funeral plans for you to choose from.

Our Direct Cremation Plan gives your family the flexibility to pay their respects in their own way. Alternatively, with our Funeral Service Plan, you have the choice of a 30 or a 60 minute service. This can be family-led or led by a professional celebrant. The choice is yours.

View our services or for additional pricing information and a full list of our optional extras, please see our price list.

Direct Cremation Plan

From £1,999 or £20.74* per month

Our Direct Cremation Plan is a great choice for those looking for a simple farewell which takes place with no service or mourners at our high-quality crematoria where compassionate care is guaranteed throughout.

View our Direct Cremation Plan * Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,374.80 and includes administration fees.

Funeral Service Plan

From £2,499 or £28.68** per month

Our attended cremation plan is perfect for those looking for a fuss-free farewell and a final chance to say goodbye. With our affordable attended plan you have a choice of a 30 or a 60 minute funeral service depending on what you'd prefer.

View our Funeral Service Plan ** Price is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £3,441.60 and includes admin fees.

Other helpful resources about funeral planning

Continue your funeral planning with our resources below.

Funeral alternatives

Know you don’t want to go down the traditional route, but not sure what you do want? Get to know the other options out there for your funeral arrangements.

Funeral alternatives

Cremation or burial?

Cremation and burial funerals have similar core elements. Finding out about the two options in more detail can help you decide which one is right for you.

Cremation or burial

Arrange a funeral

What to do if someone dies in Scotland_ wild flowers

If you are planning a funeral for someone who is receiving end-of-life care, waiting and arranging the funeral when needed may be the better option.

Arrange a funeral

What our customers say about us

We offer the highest level of support, but don't just take our word for it. Below are recent reviews from customers who bought a funeral with us.

4.9/5

Read all our reviews

Anonymous, on Feefo 5 Dec 2025

Was very supportive through out everything and if i need the suppirt its great to hear that even after the cremation of my loved one is that i am still able to contact them afterwards and they did a great service and looked after my loved one through out every step so thankyou very much

Craig Walker, on Feefo 5 Dec 2025

My mother decided she wanted a simple cremation after her death to lesson the burden placed upon me, as my brother and father had already passed away. She chose Distinct Cremations & paid for her funeral when she was alive and well. My mum sadly passed away recently & I was left to deal with all the associated responsibilities which understandably proved upsetting & emotionally stressful. The only thing that provided some comfort was the professional & sympathetic way that Distinct Cremations handled my mother’s funeral. A lovely lady by the name of Sarah Miller personally oversaw every detail needed for my mum’s final wishes & it was a pleasure speaking with Sarah at a time of great sadness. I can’t recommend any higher than that of District Cremations, with the dignity & understanding provided by them at a time when it is truly needed. RIP mum x

Anonymous, on Feefo 1 Dec 2025

Absolutely amazing from start to finish at the most difficult time for our family. Maxine is an absolute credit to the company and nothing was too much trouble.

Anonymous, on Feefo 23 Nov 2025

Excellent service very respects caring staff from start to finish. Thank you.

Anonymous, on Feefo 23 Nov 2025

Great service from start to finish. Very caring staff I couldn’t have asked for more during this extremely difficult time.

Karen Foster, on Google 19 Nov 2025

Felt very reassured and cared for by everyone we spoke to when using this service recently. Especially Kerry who was just so understanding and respectful. Thank you for helping us through a tough time with kindness and compassion

Caroline Jones, on Feefo 19 Nov 2025

Arranging a cremation for oneself is not the easiest of tasks and Tracy was most patient and understanding in her dealings with me. Even though I was pretty certain which plan I wanted Tracy took the trouble to go through the details of the other options as well. I never felt under any pressure to make a decision. In fact, Tracy suggested I mull it over for a few days. I chose the Direct Cremation. This is the kind of end I had wanted for some time and the plan that Distinct Cremations is ideal for me. And, Tracy has arranged that my cremation will be at Westerleigh. This is a crematorium that I am familiar with and it is a comfort to me to know where I will end. I cannot recommend the product or the service more highly

Gregory Mako, on Google 18 Nov 2025

Maxine went above and beyond to help us with all things needed for a beautiful service. We requested some things outside of the norm and she produced everything with class and ease. I am so impressed with how she organized and reorganized the music, provided more than one box for transporting ashes along with the casket for permanent holding. There were so many gentle and supportive moments on the phone with her. She definitely really cared about us and our service. That is amazing. We felt cared for and provided for. Thank you, Maxine.

4.9/5

Read all our reviews

Cremations for low cost farewells

Call us

01543211997

Find us

Oak Tree Court, Brookfield Drive, Cannock, WS11 0JN

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Important information

Part of

Over 74,000 cremations a year

Westerleigh Group including Distinct Cremations carried out over 74,000 cremations in 2024.

Distinct Cremations office: Oak Tree Court, Brookfield Drive, Cannock, WS11 0JN

‘Distinct Cremations’ is a trading style of Distinct Funeral Plans Limited (DPFL) and Distinct Cremations Limited (DCL). DFPL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 965289. DCL provides ‘at need’ funeral and cremation services and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Both companies are registered in England. DFPL No. 13366327 and DCL No. 13366310. Registered office: Head Office Westerleigh Crematorium, Westerleigh Road, Westerleigh, Bristol, BS37 8QP. Part of the Westerleigh Group.

Funeral planning ahead of time

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