Do you need a funeral director?

Your options, and what a funeral director actually does.

The legal position

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you are not legally required to use a funeral director — you can arrange a funeral yourself. In practice, most families use one for support and to handle the arrangements at a difficult time.

What a funeral director does

They care for the person who has died, handle the paperwork, liaise with the crematorium or cemetery, provide a coffin and hearse, and guide you through the choices. Their charges are set out in their CMA price list.