What is a Good Funeral?
Only you can know what would be a ‘good’ funeral for
you and your family - everyone is different, but at The
Natural Death Centre we believe that a ‘good funeral’ is
one where you, the person arranging the funeral, feel incontrol of what happens, and where you are given clear
information about the choices available to you.
A funeral doesn’t have to be an event following aformulaic pattern; you can create a ceremony that is
uniquely designed to reflect the life of the person whohas died.
We believe that if people knew they had morechoices, they would much rather be in control of their
loved one’s ‘send-off’, and funeral ceremonies could
become special memories rather than occasions to bedreaded.

What are my choices?

What type of funeral ceremony 		
can we have?

Some funeral directors who appear to be very flexible intheir work with families are listed on our website and in‘The Natural Death Handbook’.

A traditional religious service is appropriate for somefamilies. For others, a ‘semi-religious’ service or a totally
non-religious ceremony is more apt.

If you need immediate impartial advice, please ring ourHelpline.

Some families/friends conduct all parts of aceremony themselves or a celebrant can help you.
You may want no service at all. The choice is yours.

Is a good funeral going to be 		
more expensive?
Funerals can be costly, and relatively few people qualify
for State help with the funeral costs. (Contact your local
Jobcentreplus for details.) But just because a funeralis ‘good’ doesn’t mean it has to be more expensive –depending on the choices you make it could easily costmuch less than some of the packages offered by funeral
directors.

By law, a body must be either be cremated or buried,
but the detail of the funeral ceremony itself is entirely up
to you. Burial can take place in a churchyard, cemetery,natural burial ground or on private land.

How do we find the right Funeral
Director to help us?

What things do I need to think 		
about?

Although legally you don’t have to use a funeral director,
the vast majority of people find it helpful to have some
professional support.

Some things worth discussing before beginning to makearrangements are:
What type of ceremony would you like?
Whereabouts would you like to hold it?
Do you need a celebrant to help you?
How much involvement would the family like?
What type of coffin would you want?
In what ways do you want to personalise theceremony?
What budget do you have available?

Think about the type of ceremony that you want. Take
your time. Talk to family and friends. Then ring aroundseveral funeral directors to see which suits you best.
As well as being aware of your budget, you may
want to think about your needs are listened to, howaccommodating, competent, and approachable they are
and how much choice you are offered. If you can’t facemaking the phone calls yourself, ask a friend to do thisfor you.

What is The Natural Death 		Centre?
The Natural Death Centre is an educational charity
working towards a situation where all people are
empowered in the process of dying, and organisinga funeral. Founded in 1991, we are committed tosupporting cultural change and we work in deatheducation, challenging social attitudes to death anddying. We also run the Association of Natural BurialGrounds, a body set up to promote green burials,
In 2012 we introduced The Natural Death Society, tobring together people who share the same belief in ourhuman right to approach death and funerals with thesame freedom that we live our lives.
By joining the Natural Death Society you will
help support our work – all money received fromsubscriptions will be used to fund our telephone
Helpline, helping us to reach people in need of our helpand advice.
For a £20.00 initial subscription, and £2.00 a monththereafter (minimum 12 months) you will receive
a complimentary copy of the new Natural Death
Handbook (RRP £24.00), an information pack including
invaluable documents and guidance on arranging
a funeral, regular newsletters, discounted tickets to
educational events and workshops run by the Natural
Death Centre, and a membership certificate and a lapelpin.
As a charity we rely on the generosity and support ofthe public to enable us to continue our work, so pleaseconsider joining us and help us to help others.
Full details of how to join the Natural Death Society areon our website www.naturaldeath.org.uk

Postcode:
Phone Number:									This leaflet is intended to help you begin thinking about
the type of funeral you would like to have – the choices
available are limited only by your imagination andbudget!

The Natural Death
Handbook (fifth 		edition)
The latest edition of thisessential and influential
guide covering the practical,
emotional and spiritual aspects
of death and dying.

Completely revised and expanded into a three bookbox set, the Natural Death Handbook now includes acollection of essays on death by eminent writers, and a
directory of natural burial grounds in the UK and Ireland,
progressive funeral directors and suppliers of green
coffins and urns.
Together these three books make an indispensable guidefor anyone in need of practical advice, reassurance andinspiration.

How do I arrange a

How do I find out more?

Good Funeral?

If you would like to explore ideas further there are somesuggestions below:

More information• Contact us on our Helpline 01962 712690• Read ‘The Natural Death Handbook’• Visit our website www.naturaldeath.org.uk• Join the Natural Death Society – see over
• Contact The Natural Death Centre byphone, email or post.
• See the booklet ‘What to do after a Deathin England and Wales’ (January 2009,ref DWP1027), Department for Work andPensions. www.dwp.gov.uk

lifting the lid on death*Fifth edition published June 1st 2012
Receive a complimentary copy: Join the new Natural
Death Society and receive the Handbook free of charge(see over)Or
Buy online: www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Buy by post: Send a cheque for £24.00
made payable to The Natural Death Centre.

Natural Death Centre& Association of
Natural Burial Grounds
In The Hill House, Watley Lane
Twyford, Winchester, SO21 1QX

Delivery to:Name:
Address:

email: contact@naturaldeath.org.uk

Helpline: 01962 712690

www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 1091396