Arranging a funeral

A funeral is a ceremony for someone who's died. It may include burial, cremation or hydrolysis.

You should start planning the funeral as soon as possible.

When a funeral can take place

A funeral can only take place after the death has been registered. Check what to do if the death has not been registered.

If the death was sudden or unexplained, you might not be able to make the final funeral arrangements until the Procurator Fiscal has finished their investigation. Find out what the Procurator Fiscal does on the Crown Office website.

You should find out if the person had:

This information might be in their will. Check if there's a will.

Ask a friend or other relatives for help and advice.

If you do not have anyone else to discuss this with, your funeral director or person leading the service can offer suggestions.

The local council where the person died has a legal duty to arrange a funeral.

The local council may later recover the cost from the person’s estate, if there is enough money or property available.

Find your local council’s funeral services

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