Planning a DIY Funeral or Family-Led Funeral in the UK

Planning a funeral yourself can feel like a significant step. For some families, a DIY or family-led funeral offers the space to slow down, to be present, and to shape a farewell in their own way, guided by care rather than convention.

At its heart, a family-led funeral is about involvement. It allows those closest to the person who has died to take part in decisions, rituals and moments that feel meaningful, while still meeting all legal requirements.

What Is a DIY or Family-Led Funeral?

A DIY funeral, sometimes called a family-led funeral, is one where the family takes responsibility for organising some, or all, of the funeral themselves.
In the UK, there is no legal requirement to use a funeral director.

Families may choose to:

– Care for their loved one at home

– Arrange transport themselves

– Lead the ceremony in their own words

– Decide how simple or structured the day should be

Support can still be brought in where needed, but the direction remains with the family.

Is a DIY Funeral Legal in the UK?

Yes. DIY funerals are legal in the UK.

The only formal requirements are that the death is registered and the correct paperwork is completed before burial or cremation. Beyond this, families are free to decide how the funeral unfolds.

For many, understanding this brings a sense of reassurance and possibility.

Why Some Families Choose a Family-Led Funeral

Families choose DIY funerals for many reasons.

Some value:

– Personal involvement and presence

– Flexibility around timing and location

– Simplicity, without unnecessary formality

– A farewell shaped by relationships rather than tradition

Often, families describe the experience as quieter, slower, and more connected.

Planning a DIY Funeral: What to Consider

Registering the Death

After a death, it must be registered with the local register office. This provides the documents needed to arrange burial or cremation and to move forward with planning.

Choosing Burial or Cremation

A family-led funeral can conclude with:

– Burial in a cemetery

– Burial at a natural burial ground

– Cremation, with remembrance held separately

Natural burial grounds often lend themselves well to family-led funerals, offering an outdoor setting and a gentler pace.

Coffins, Shrouds and Simplicity

Families may choose:

– A biodegradable coffin

– A simple wooden coffin

– A natural burial shroud

At natural burial grounds, materials are chosen to return to the earth in time, allowing the land to remain living and open.

Transport and Practical Arrangements

Families are permitted to transport their loved one themselves, using a suitable vehicle. Others choose to ask for help with particular tasks, this does not change the family-led nature of the funeral.

Shaping the Ceremony

The ceremony itself may be:

– Religious or non-religious

– Led by family, friends or a celebrant

– Held indoors or outdoors

Readings, music, silence and shared memory all have their place. There is no prescribed format.

Family-Led Funerals at Natural Burial Grounds

Natural burial grounds often support family involvement in the funeral itself. This may include:

– Carrying or lowering the coffin

– Speaking or reading during the ceremony

– Taking time without rush

Each site has its own guidelines, designed to protect the land while allowing meaningful participation.

Many families who wish to have a family-led or DIY funeral will collect the coffin on the day and take it from there. From here you can provide your own transport, bearers and continue arrangements as planned. You can take your time and proceed with the burial ground and officiant as agreed.

When Support Can Help

Even when planning a DIY funeral, support can be invaluable. Some families choose help with:

– Care and storage of the body

– Legal paperwork

– Burial logistics

Choosing support where needed does not take away from the personal nature of a family-led farewell.

A Personal Way to Say Goodbye

A DIY funeral is not about doing everything alone. It is about choice, deciding what matters most, and shaping a farewell that reflects the life lived.

For some, this approach offers comfort, clarity and connection at a difficult time. For others, it may not feel right, and that, too, is a valid choice.

At Leedam, we believe that funerals, like landscapes, are at their best when they are allowed to be simple, considered and human.