Personalising a funeral for yourself or a loved one

Most funerals will have some space for readings and eulogies dotted throughout. You may like to have one, you may like to have a few. They can be written about the deceased, or they can be readings from a favourite book or religious text. The choice is yours.

Often at a funeral, people like to have a song played at the beginning, at the middle or at the end. Or maybe all three. You can choose a downbeat song, something more uplifting or even something funny. There are no hard and fast rules.

Hymns are often associated with the religious, and even though many hymns do have a religious theme running through them, they don't have to be. Some hymns may just resonate with you and your family whether you're religious or not.

Funeral poems can be uplifting, tearjerking and can unlock the heart in a way few things can. They can also provide a comfort at the most difficult time. You can read a poem you love or you could even write one yourself tailored for the funeral.

These days, there are an abundance of funeral coffins on offer, from something bright and beautiful to something sport-themed or even something very elaborate. The flowers to go alongside the coffin or at the grave can be equally elaborate too.

There is also a vast array of funeral hearses available for the procession too, if you're having one. You could go for something standard, a personalised hearse, or something really different like a 19th-century style horse-drawn carriage.

Focus on choosing a venue that suits the attendees and would've suited the deceased. No matter whether you want to go for something upbeat or something low key, a memorial service can be a cathartic experience where people come together to share love.

Ideas...

• Renting a room at the local pub
• At a family home with nearest and dearest
• A buffet at a church or community hall
• A picnic in the park or on the beach

To make a memorial service or wake special, you may like to add a few personal touches. This could be something formal like a eulogy, a guestbook for people to fill in or you may like to have a memorial table with a few mementos and photos of the deceased.

Ideas...

• Eulogy or share memories in a speech
• Memory table of photos and mementos
• A slideshow or video of the deceased's life
• Guestbook for attendees to share their memories

A memorial service can be a celebratory event, however it is a moment to lovingly share with others, while supporting each other after going through a difficult time. Making time and space for comfort can help ease people and perhaps bring them closure.

Ideas...

• Set up an area for reflection
• Invite a grief counsellor or support person
• Open mic-sharing to share memories and emotions
• Play comforting and meaningful music

There are a number of ways to organise a funeral in the UK. You can use a national funeral provider, a local funeral director or even organise the funeral yourself. Here we'll go into more detail and provide you with all the information you need to know.

A Distinct Cremations funeral plan allows you to pay for a funeral in advance for yourself, for a family member or for a friend, and gives you peace of mind knowing that funeral costs are covered. Acceptance is guaranteed with no medical questions.

If you’re arranging the funeral of a loved one, you’ll need to know exactly how much a funeral costs so that you can make the appropriate arrangements. It's important to remember though that you don't need to feel pressured to spend more than you can afford.