Things to consider when arranging a funeral

This page covers how to arrange a funeral, the legal requirements, the documents you will need and the key decisions to make.

Many people use a professional funeral director to plan and arrange a funeral, as there is a lot to consider at a difficult time.

However, legally there is no requirement for you to use a funeral director and anybody can organise and arrange a funeral themselves. It is your decision, and our bereavement services staff are here to support you.

We can offer information and advice to help you to make the correct choice for either your own funeral arrangements or the arrangements for your loved one.

Many organisations available can also advise on how to personalise and plan a funeral. The Natural Death Centre can offer information and advice on how to arrange inexpensive, self-arranged and environmentally-friendly funerals. You can also get useful advice from Citizens Advice.

If you prefer not to use a funeral director please contact us and we can advise what you will need to do.

Using a funeral director

We advise using a funeral director who belongs to one of the professional associations, such as the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).

They will take care of the whole process, from legal documents, to arranging to care for the body until the funeral itself.

Salford City Council works in partnership with a local funeral director to offer affordable, professional funeral services. Information can be found at Salford Residents Funeral Services.

Legal requirements

The main legal requirements in England and Wales apply whether you use a funeral director or not. They are that:

• the death must be certified by a doctor or coroner
• the death is registered with a registrar of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
• the body should either be cremated or buried

Required documents

Before you can arrange a funeral, there are certain forms you’ll need to give to the funeral director, or, if arranging it yourself, to the crematorium or cemetery office. You can pick up these forms from the cemetery office at Agecroft Cemetery.

Burials

For burials, you’ll need to provide a Green Certificate for Burial (Form 9) or, if the coroner was involved, an Order for Burial (Form 10).

Cremations

For a cremation, you must provide:

• an Application for Cremation (Form 1) signed by the next of kin or executor
• a Green Certificate for Cremation (Form 9) from the register office or an Order for Cremation (Form 6) if the coroner was involved
• medical forms 4 and 5, completed by the doctor who dealt with the deceased

Key decisions

When planning a funeral, you’ll need to consider:

• any instructions left by the deceased, though you do not have to follow them
• where the body should rest before the funeral
• the time and place of the funeral, which can only be finalised once the order for burial or cremation has been issued
• what kind of ceremony to have
• who will conduct and contribute to the civil or religious service
• how much to spend on the funeral
• whether to have flowers or donate money to a chosen charity
• sending out invitations
• placing a notice in the newspapers

Where to hold the funeral – your choices

A funeral can be either by burial at one of our cemeteries or by cremation

• Agecroft Crematorium
• Peel Green Crematorium
• Agecroft Cemetery
• Peel Green Cemetery
• Swinton Cemetery
• Weaste Cemetery (closed to new graves)

Remember to check the deceased’s will or other written instructions for special wishes about their funeral or what should happen to their body. However, the executor does not have to follow the funeral instructions left in the will.

If there are no clear wishes, it’s generally the executor or nearest relative who decides whether the body is to be cremated or buried.

There are many different types of funerals and it’s useful to remember that you can:

• decide the form of any ceremony you choose to have
• choose a religious, humanist or civil ceremony
• choose a ceremony that reflects any religious beliefs or multicultural traditions
• choose where to hold the ceremony – it can even be in your home if you wish
• be buried on private land, such as your own garden, if there’s nothing in the deeds restricting the use of the property and the local planning office and environmental health department have been informed. For further advice on this you can contact the Bereavement Services team, details below.

You do not have to:

• have a religious service or use a member of the clergy/priest/faith leader unless you want to
• hold your ceremony in a crematorium or place of worship

The funeral service

If you choose to have a ceremony, it can be personalised as much as you wish. In some cases, the deceased may have planned their own funeral in advance. If you have the funeral at a crematorium and are planning a personalised ceremony, it’s a good idea to check with the crematorium manager beforehand as you may need a double time slot.

Music

Music can be a key part of any ceremony and you can choose from traditional organ music, a CD or live music. Perhaps discuss this with relatives, your funeral director and the person you have chosen to conduct the ceremony.

Both Agecroft and Peel Green Crematoria have a Wesley Media system which allows you to download any music of your choice which is included in the cost of the booking. Visual tributes are available at both crematoria. We can also arrange for live webcasting for friends or relatives who are unable to attend the service. Please note there is an additional fee for both visual tributes and webcasting which can be found under fees and charges.

Personalising the ceremony

You may want to include a reading, a poem or a favourite story. You could also consider using personal items as part of the ceremony. Personal items will help reflect the person who has died and make the ceremony more special and a celebration of their life.

Contacting us

If you have any questions, please contact us.

You can use the online form:

Contact us online

Or phone 0161 686 7290

Or visit us in person at:

Bereavement Services office
Agecroft Cemetery
Langley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 8SS

Agecroft Cemetery office opening times:

• Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Wednesday from 9.30am to 4.30pm