Losing a parent is one of the most emotional and difficult experiences in life. Planning a parent’s funeral can feel overwhelming, especially when you're also navigating grief.
However, with careful planning and support, you can ensure that the funeral reflects your parent’s wishes and provides comfort to everyone involved. This guide offers practical steps and advice to help ease the process and ensure that their memory is honoured with dignity.
It can be hard to initiate conversations about death, but planning a funeral for a parent early can provide clarity and peace of mind. Whether your parent prefers a burial, cremation, a traditional service, or a more personal celebration of life, knowing their preferences allows you to plan the funeral they would want.
If they are open to it, discussing a parent’s funeral plans can also help simplify the process by making financial and practical decisions in advance.
Tips for how to start the conversation:
What to talk about:
Before you begin planning a parent’s funeral, it's crucial to gather the necessary documents. Having these documents in order helps streamline decisions when the time comes and ensures that all legal and financial matters are addressed.
Key documents to gather:
Getting organised early can relieve significant stress during an already challenging time. For more information, read our guide to funeral documents.
After gathering the necessary documents, the next step is choosing a funeral provider. They will guide you through key decisions such as burial, cremation, the type of service, and any additional arrangements when planning a funeral for your parent.
What to consider when choosing a funeral provider:
Here at Distinct Cremations, we offer:
There are several types of funerals to consider, each providing a different way to say goodbye to your parent:
The right choice depends on your parent’s personal beliefs, your family’s budget, and any prepaid plans they may have set up. Direct cremation is an increasingly popular choice, providing flexibility for families to hold a memorial at a time and place that works best. In 2024, 20% of all funerals were a direct cremation, compared to just 3% in 2019 *.
With a prepaid funeral plan, your parent’s wishes can be clearly stated, and costs can be locked in, protecting your family from rising expenses.
* SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
Personalising the service can make it a true reflection of your parent’s life and personality. For some, this might mean having a simple funeral service followed by a more informal celebration of life held separately. Others might prefer a small, intimate gathering with family and close friends, where details like hymns, meaningful readings, or favourite poems take centre stage.
If your parent valued simplicity, you could opt for a basic service, keeping the focus on celebrating their life in a less traditional setting, such as a memorial at a favourite spot later on. This approach allows you to focus on what’s most meaningful for your parent, creating a service that truly reflects who they were.
A memorial service allows family and friends to gather, share memories, and support each other. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair, simple receptions can include catered meals, buffets, or a gathering at someone’s home. Direct cremations, in particular, offer complete flexibility for memorials, allowing you to celebrate your parent’s life at a time and place that suits their wishes and your family’s needs.
You may want to think about holding the service in a location that was meaningful to your parent. This could be a favourite park, a beloved holiday spot, or even their own garden. You could also incorporate an activity they enjoyed, such as planting a tree, playing their favourite music, or having guests share personal stories.
If your parent is still with you, consider having a conversation with them about what kind of memorial service they would want. Knowing their wishes can help ensure that the event is a true reflection of their personality and values, giving both you and your family peace of mind.
Funeral costs can vary depending on factors such as burial or cremation, the type of service, and additional expenses like transportation or flowers. On average, funeral expenses can add up quickly. For an idea of what you might expect to pay for a funeral, below is a snapshot of average funeral costs in 2024**:
| Funeral type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Burial | £5,198 |
| Cremation | £3,980 |
| Direct cremation | £1,597 |
Prepaid funeral plans are priced slightly differently, and help you manage these costs by locking in today’s prices, sparing your family from unexpected expenses when the time comes.
** SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
Setting up a prepaid funeral plan can offer peace of mind for both you and your parent.
These plans ensure that their wishes are respected and that everything, from the service to the financial arrangements, is handled ahead of time.
This allows your family to focus on remembering your parent, rather than worrying about the details and costs of the funeral. Whether your parent prefers a traditional or simple send off, a funeral plan can be customised to suit their wishes and your family’s needs.
Discover how funeral planning can bring reassurance and support to you and your loved one.
Not only are our low cost funerals carried out with love and care, but we also offer one of the UK’s best value services.
From your very first phone call, right through to the hand-delivery or scattering of the ashes, you can rest assured that you will be in the most caring and attentive hands with Distinct Cremations.
Our caring team are here 24/7 to support you through the most difficult of times
Rhiannon Pearson
Team Leader
Planning a funeral for a parent can take a significant emotional toll. Remember to take care of your own well-being throughout the process. Delegate tasks to other family members when possible, and don’t hesitate to lean on the support of professionals, whether that’s the funeral provider or a grief counsellor. It’s important to give yourself time to process your emotions and to seek help if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Here at Distinct Cremations, we have created a free checklist for you to download which lets you know what you need to do when someone dies.
Download our checklist below or speak to our expert team on 01543 211997 today.
Download free checklistBelow are a few more resources that may help when it comes to anticipating a death.
If you're responsible for making arrangements for a loved one, you may wonder if you can set up their funeral plan. Learn how you can take steps to ensure their wishes are honoured and the process is simplified for your family.
Funeral plan for someone else
A funeral plan allows you to organise and pay for a funeral in advance, helping to lock in costs and reduce financial burden when the time comes. Find out how funeral plans work and what options are available.
How do funeral plans work?
Pre-planning now ensures your final farewell is carried out according to your wishes and your loved ones are protected from the emotional and financial burden of arranging a funeral during such a challenging time.
View our funeral plansWe 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.
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Over 74,000 cremations a year
Westerleigh Group including Distinct Cremations carried out over 74,000 cremations in 2024.
