How to Choose a Funeral Director

Choosing a funeral director is one of the first and foremost decisions you’ll make after someone has died. It shapes how you create a funeral to honour their memory and say your goodbyes. Many people have limited experience of making funeral arrangements, so it can make a big difference if the person you choose is knowledgeable, able to personalise their support to your needs and available when you need them.

Finding the right balance between practical support and genuine care is essential. This guide explores key considerations and essential questions to ask, so you can make a confident choice when selecting a funeral director.

Understanding the role of a funeral director

Funeral directors manage the practical arrangements of a funeral, such as bringing the person who has died into their care, liaising with service providers and handling documentation like cremation or burial paperwork.

A good funeral director will offer emotional support and guidance, to help you make decisions about the type of funeral you’d like to arrange. Whether you’re planning a traditional service, an environmentally friendly ceremony or something more personalised, they will work with you to ensure the arrangements reflect your wishes and reflect the life of the person who has died.

Although this is not always the case elsewhere, funeral directors at Full Circle will look to support you from the first contact you have, throughout the planning process, on the way of the funeral and afterwards, if this is what you want.

Things to think about when choosing a funeral director

When selecting the right funeral director, there are several aspects to keep in mind:

A connection that feels right

Feeling at ease with a funeral director matters. Their ability to listen fully and understand your wishes will help create a service that truly reflects the life of the person who has died. A personal connection can make discussing sensitive details and sharing your worries feel less daunting.

Services that suit your needs

Every family’s preferences are different. Some funeral directors focus on traditional services, while others might offer eco-friendly or more personalised options. If you’re unsure about what you’d like, look for someone who is open to discussing possibilities and exploring what feels right for you.

Transparency of funeral costs

Understanding the costs involved in a funeral can ease financial worries. A funeral director who provides clear, upfront information about pricing and packages can help you plan without worrying about hidden extra costs and give you confidence that you are only spending money on what matters to you.

Convenience and accessibility

Opting for a local funeral director can simplify meetings and give you the opportunity to visit their facilities. A location that’s easy for family members to reach can also help on the day of the service. It is important to ask where the person who has died will be physically cared for (and you might like to know who will be delivering this care).

Respect for faith and culture

If your family has specific religious or cultural traditions, finding a funeral director who respects and understands these practices is important. Asking about their experience with particular faiths or customs can help make sure the funeral reflects your values.

A funeral director should never dictate which rituals you must adhere to but be responsive and facilitate the most fitting series of activities.

Environmental values

Many families are choosing sustainable options, such as green burials. Ask the funeral director how they incorporate environmentally conscious practices into their services. Evidence-based sustainable funeral care is evolving rapidly and some funeral directors have much more interest and experience than others. Looking for external validation, such as B Corp accreditation, may give you some additional confidence.

What to ask a funeral director

Making decisions after someone has died can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing a funeral director. Knowing what questions to ask can provide clarity and help you feel more supported during this challenging time.

Here are some helpful questions to consider when speaking with a funeral director:

What funeral packages do you offer, and what do they include?
Why do you offer packages? How do you think a package helps me?
What kind of payment plans and financial support can you signpost me to?
Can you help me personalise funeral services and ceremonies?
What options are available for memorial services?
Can you provide a breakdown of all costs involved?
Do you have experience with alternative or non-traditional funeral arrangements?
How do you help families manage the planning process during difficult times?

These questions can help you understand the services they provide and their approach to supporting you and your family. Taking the time to ask can ease some of the uncertainty you may be feeling.

The importance of personalisation

You do not have to make a funeral personal – there is no pressure to do so – but many people do find it consoling to add personal choices and find ways to reflect the life, loves and idiosyncrasies of the person who had died. Discuss your ideas with potential funeral directors and observe how willing they are to adapt to your requests. A good funeral director will explore ways to expand on your ideas and share their expertise to help you be as creative as you want to be. The right professional will be able to offer you plenty of choice and flexibility when it comes to adding personal and unique touches to a ceremony.

Comparing funeral directors

Once you’ve spoken to a few funeral directors, take time to compare their services, costs involved and overall approach. Pay attention to how they respond to your questions and whether their communication feels clear and empathetic.

Visiting funeral homes can also provide insight into their facilities and the atmosphere they create. Are the spaces warm and inviting? Do they offer private areas for family meetings? These details can help you decide if a funeral director is the right fit for your needs.

It is perfectly reasonable to visit a funeral director and ask them questions before deciding who you would like to support you.

Reviews and testimonials from previous clients can be helpful in evaluating their reliability and level of care. Look for feedback on aspects such as professionalism, compassion and the quality of the funeral service provided.

Finding the right support

At Full Circle Funerals, we understand how difficult it can be to plan a funeral, and we’re here to help. Our experienced team works with families across Yorkshire and Cheshire to create the right service for their needs, whether it’s a personalised memorial, a traditional ceremony or a more simple option. Contact us today to discuss your funeral planning needs.

How Long Does a Funeral Service Last?

Funerals are a chance to acknowledge a loss and celebrate the life of someone special and come together to honour their memory. If you’re arranging or attending a funeral, understanding how long the service might take can help you to feel prepared and know what to expect on the day.

In this blog, we’ll look at the typical timings for elements such as eulogies, burials and cremations, to help you plan and feel more at ease during this important day. It is important for us to stress that these are not rules – many people find it helpful to have a framework to build their plans around, but you can adapt this as much as you want to until it fits you needs.

Factors that influence funeral service length

Funeral services can vary in length depending on the type of ceremony, personal preferences and practical considerations. Cremation services typically last around 20 to 30 minutes when they take place at the crematorium. Services which take place out with the crematorium vary in length enormously. Some people still like to stick to 20 to 30 minutes, whereas others use the time flexibility to introduce many more elements and create a longer service – sometimes lasting several hours. Time spent at the graveside depends on whether there is a service taking place there, or whether it will only involve speaking words of committal.

Personal touches, such as eulogies, readings or musical performances, can also extend the service, especially if multiple speakers or tributes are planned. You should also factor in travel time between locations if the cremation or burial location is separate from the venue where the service is being held.

Time allocations at specific crematoria may also influence the duration – this is typically between 30 to 45 minutes. Families can sometimes book double slots (two slots next to each other) if more time is needed and this will incur additional costs. Traditional funerals, cremation services and memorial services often differ in length, with religious ceremonies sometimes requiring additional time for specific rituals and if they are lead in a place of worship then it is likely that there will also be travel time to the committal location. Working with a funeral director can help make sure that all aspects of the ceremony fit within the allocated timeframe.

What happens during a funeral service?

Funerals often begin with the funeral procession arriving at the venue. People may have already gathered for the hearse to arrive or some family and friends may have chosen to travel with the hearse, setting off from the funeral home or the family home together. Whether the procession includes a traditional hearse or a vehicle chosen to reflect the personality of the person who has died, this journey often carries a quiet dignity that resonates with everyone present and can be a meaningful party of the funeral.

The main service often brings people together to share memories, find comfort and offer a eulogy or a few words. There may be readings and hymns, with some families inviting people to share personal reflections.

After the main funeral service, the committal occurs. The final words are spoken and this is often the last time that you are physically with the coffin. At cremations, this may involve the curtains gently closing around the coffin or a moment of reflection accompanied by music. For burials, the committal usually involves lowering the coffin into the grave, often accompanied by prayers or non-religious words of committal said by the person leading the service. Families may choose symbolic gestures like scattering soil or flowers into the grave to create a deeply moving and personal farewell.

Religious and cultural considerations

Religious ceremonies can have a significant impact on the length of a funeral service. Church of England services typically last around 30 minutes, while Catholic funerals may extend to an hour or more if they include a Requiem Mass. Muslim funerals, which emphasise simplicity, are often shorter, lasting around 30 minutes while members of the Sikh community may visit multiple locations during the extended funeral service (including remaining at the crematorium to watch the charging of the coffin).

Non-religious services can provide greater flexibility in both structure and duration, allowing families to personalise the event to reflect their wishes. Elements such as poems, music or personal tributes can be included in any service to create a ceremony that feels meaningful and unique.

Alternative funerals also open opportunities for families to hold the service in modern funeral locations, such as outdoor spaces or family homes. These options can allow for a more relaxed and informal atmosphere, which may appeal to families seeking a personalised approach and more control.

How we can support you

Every funeral is unique, shaped by the wishes of the family and the life of the person being remembered. Planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, but with our practical and emotional support, you can be sure every detail will be handled with care, attention and kindness.

Our funeral directors based across the North West and Yorkshire are here to guide you through the process, from organising venues and flowers and connecting with the person who is going to conduct the service. Whether you’re looking for a traditional service, a personalised memorial or a simple ceremony, we will take the time to understand your preferences, and help you create a meaningful tribute that reflects your wishes and what you know to be right for you. We also have a funeral planning guide that can help you consider your options. Contact us to discover how we can help you today.

How Mandy’s wishes created a dazzling funeral

Mandy was known for her sparkling personality and life-affirming positivity, which made her a hugely successful “charity angel”, raising more than £2m for good causes over the years and inspiring the #Bemoremandy fundraising campaign to encourage people to live life to the full. After being given the earth-shattering news that her cancer was in-curable in September 2021, her approach was “If I can’t add days to my life, I will add life to my days”.

Shortly before she died, Mandy’s husband, Andrew, was able to tell her that she had received an MBE in the Queen’s Honour List.

Before her death from cancer at the age of 53, Huddersfield fundraiser Mandy Taylor expressed detailed wishes about the funeral she wanted and recorded a personal audio to be played at the service.

After being diagnosed with cancer for the second time, she turned the experience of going for radiotherapy into a positive one, raising money for charity by recording carpool karaoke videos where she was chauffeured to hospital appointments by volunteers in a variety of vehicles singing along to her favourite songs.

After her third and terminal diagnosis, she turned her attention to her legacy and her funeral and the way she wanted her life to be celebrated and remembered.

Mandy’s funeral wishes

Mandy spoke to Sarah in the months leading up to her death to gradually build on her initial thoughts about what she wanted. She started by knowing where she wanted the service to take place and that she wanted to be able to speak at the service – by leaving an audio-recording to be shared with the people attending.

Mandy knew that by expressing her funeral wishes she would be creating an occasion she would have enjoyed and would be helping her family, friends and those who knew her to take something positive from the occasion. She wanted her natural warmth and sense of fun to light up the event to remind people of the upbeat way she had chosen to live her life.

She decided to make her final journey in a white coffin which was decorated with ostrich feathers, diamante, sequins, and pearls in truly flamboyant Mandy style. A beautiful floral tribute spelled the word “Angel”.

She chose uplifting funeral songs – ‘The Power of Love’ by Frankie Goes to Hollywood; ‘Rule The World’ by Take That and ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Mandy also recorded a poignant and inspiring speech to be played at the service. Rule The World was her favourite song of all time as it was her “first dance” wedding song.

Fire me into the Sky

One of Mandy’s wishes, which by anyone’s standards is typical Mandy style, is that she wanted part of her ashes to be placed in a firework and at a time that her husband thought suitable, be fired into the sky over Huddersfield from the very popular Castle Hill.

Mandy’s birthday was September 21^st and by chance, an organisation called lights out are organising an event on September 26^th on Castle Hill whereby the whole of the Huddersfield Sky line will fall into darkness as all the lights will be switched off. What a poignant moment for the Rocket, and part of Mandy, to be fired into the sky at this moment in time.

Mandy’s legacy

Mandy wanted to share her experience of expressing her wishes with others – so that they might feel able to do the same. She found the experience so much more positive and empowering that she had believed possible and wanted to help other people, as she had always done.

“I don’t want tears and sadness; I want to leave behind a legacy of positivity,” Mandy said in a newspaper interview shortly before her death. “I’ve had a fantastic life and I want people to remember that.”

In the last months of her life she also launched the #BeMoreMandy foundation – to encourage people to continue to raise funds in her memory.

Leaving funeral wishes

If Mandy’s story has inspired you to want to express your wishes and you would like some support then get in touch. We know how helpful and important it is to leave and fulfil wishes so it is a pleasure to be able to help. We can meet with you to understand and document your wishes free of charge and without obligation.

Ellie (*not her real name) and her family cared deeply about the environment. Before she died, they had spoken in detail about the type of funeral she wanted.

Eco-friendly funerals and eco burials with Natural Burial Services

Ellie and her family wanted to make sure that she could have a funeral that was aligned with her values and very much guided by what she wanted.

There were many things they had already thought about before they approached us and we were able to expand on the ideas that they already had and share some suggestions which were in keeping with what Ellie told us was important to her.

Ultimately our main role was then to provide guidance and support to ensure that Ellie’s family were able to create a dy that reflected the things that were important to Ellie and her family.

What choices did they make?

Minimising the impact that the funeral had on the environment was a key driver for all the decisions that Ellie and her family made about her funeral. Having this clear direction from Ellie made it much clearer for her family and working hard to make sure that Elle’s wishes were fulfilled was clearly really important to everyone involved.

Ellie’s family chose to have a natural burial at Tarn Moor, using a shroud with a homemade cover that Ellie had made with the help of her family and friends.

They used the Full Circle Funerals 100% electric ecohearse and only had a small number of attendees to minimise the environmental impact of travel associated with the funeral.

On the day of her funeral, Ellie was placed in a hand-made shroud which she had made with her family before she died. The shroud was made from natural materials and everything that was in the shroud with Ellie was fully biodegradable and natural – which is really important in natural burial.

As Ellie’s family decided to conduct the service themselves, we had only a small amount of input on the day as we helped to bring some gentle structure. Everything was kept very simple, with no order of service and beautiful, seasonal flowers that had been picked from Ellie’s garden, which were placed in the grave with her. Ellie’s family acted as pallbearers and chose some natural essential oils to drip onto the shroud cover.

Ellie and her family chose not to have a traditional wake on the day of the funeral because the burial location was a distance from the village where they lived and they were keen to minimise the carbon footprint associated with travelling to and from the funeral. Instead they arranged a memorial service a few days later in the village, where people could easily walk to the venue.

Making everything possible

Ellie’s family were clear about what they wanted for the funeral ceremony but hadn’t made any decisions about where it would take place. We were able to talk to them about the possibilities so that they could choose somewhere that would be a good fit for the kind of ceremony they wanted.

They hadn’t considered how, or where, Ellie would be cared for after she had died and how this might affect some of the decisions they made.

We first met with Ellie and her family in hospital before she died and spent time discussing what was possible. They then had time to reflect carefully on our conversation before coming to Full Circle Funerals in Guiseleyto spend time with her once she was in our care and talk through their final choices.

We were able to listen, support and provide practical and helpful information to make it as easy as it could be for Ellie’s family to arrange the funeral she would have wanted.

What made this funeral personal and memorable?

David Billington of Full Circle Funerals supported the family and friends throughout as they fulfilled her wishes and created a green funeral and natural burial, respecting the environment that meant so much to her and her friends and family.

David says: “I loved the handmade shroud that she had made with her family and friends prior to her death. I thought this was a really special touch that created a deep connection on the day of the funeral, with everyone present who had been a part of creating this.”

Harriet’s sister, Charlotte shares her experience of supporting Harriet to express her wishes. She also shares the beautiful and personal choices that Harriet and her friends and family made to create a funeral that was right for their unique circumstances

Love wall example of personalised funeral choice

Harriet’s wishes

Shared by Harriet’s sister, Charlotte Allen

My sister Harriet was a larger than life character: talkative, funny, irreverent, with a big heart, a person who made an impression on people. She was also a straight talker and one of the aspects of life that she and I were always ready to talk about was dying, particularly our own. On the day after her shocking and unexpected diagnosis, she said to me ‘I want to have a good death’. We had witnessed a close family member having the worst possible death – both the way of her dying suddenly, and the aftermath for the rest of the family – and so she was talking from painful experience.

In a nutshell, Full Circle, (along with St Gemma’s, other professionals, and Harriet herself) were a crucial part of making sure that she had the best death possible.

It was wonderful serendipity that I already knew Ruth, having spoken to her at the Leeds Bereavement Forum on several occasions. She was warm, open and empathic, and I was clear that Full Circle would be my ‘go to’ Funeral Service when needed, although I didn’t expect to be a customer quite so soon.

When I met Ruth again at the Forum earlier this year, and mentioned that sadly, my sister had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given six months to live, she suggested that she and Harriet and I could meet up, if that appealed to Harriet. I mentioned this to Harriet, who jumped at the offer. The afternoon we spent together at Guiseley was a very special time for all three of us. The meeting put Harriet at her ease, and at the centre of the funeral plans, in charge of her own dying wishes. She had already found the coffin she wanted, and we talked about other details and possibilities. It also gave Ruth and I a head start when Harriet later died. Never reluctant to speak her mind, it was a massive advantage to know of Harriet’s wishes and not to find ourselves asking, ‘What would she have wanted’?

Fulfilling wishes

A gift to Harriet and those who love her

There are so many decisions to be made around a funeral, including flowers, music, eulogies, dress code, coffin attire, ashes and any religious involvement. – aspects that Harriet had left us in no doubt about. In my own funeral wishes, I have said that most of the decisions don’t matter – let my closest family do whatever they would find most comfortable. Now I realise that is not necessarily the most helpful guidance for loved ones at a time of great sadness and possibly shock. Having some ideas is SO useful, even if you don’t follow the suggestions.

When Ruth realised that she would not be available on the day of the funeral, she gave us a choice: stick with her and Nic would take over on the day, or move to Nic immediately. Giving the family choices, and putting them at the centre of all decisions, so that the funeral is a truly personal one, is characteristic of everything Full Circle does. And so we had the benefit of two funeral directors, very different in personality, but both wonderfully sensitive to our needs, and both women that I would trust with my life (and my death!).

I think it is easy to forget how important the celebrant is in setting the tone of the service, and I have been to funerals where it is obvious – and disconcerting – that the celebrant / minister doesn’t know the person. Harriet’s celebrant was her first husband. They have always stayed in touch and maintained a real fondness for each other. He and Nic worked closely together and on the day he was pitch perfect. Him knowing Harriet well made a huge difference to the event.

There were two other unforgettable aspects to the funeral. One was the cardboard coffin with a beach scene printed on it – sandy beach and horizon around the sides of the coffin, and seagulls flying, wings spread, on the lid. It was absolutely beautiful and very Harriet. (The only thing on her bucket list was to see the sea once again). My niece had cheekily suggested that we might place a bag of chips on the lid of the coffin (Harriet wanted no flowers and flowers would not have gone well with seagulls soaring). Nic’s response, which was typical of everything that we spoke about, was to reply solemnly,, ‘If that is what you would like, we can do that’. And we did! As the hearse pulled into Lawnswood Crematorium, and 160 mourners watched the coffin being lifted out and placed on a dais for everyone to see, a bag of chips was unwrapped on the lid, to a round of applause. It set the tone for a moving and very individual event

Carboard coffin with sky and flying bird design

Carboard coffin with blue sky and flying seabirds

Harriet’s own words

“A beautiful occasion”

The other heart-stopping moment was Harriet speaking her own words at the funeral. Ruth had mentioned that some people like to make an audio recording to be played after their death, an idea that would never have occurred to us, but which appealed to the drama queen in my sister. On hearing her voice, there was not a dry eye in that crematorium.

We also opted to have a video recording made of the entire event, which has since been sent to everyone who attended and those who couldn’t. I hadn’t realised just how much it would mean to me to be able re-watch that occasion in a quiet moment of my choosing.

In singing the praises of the heart-warming emotional support we received from everyone at Full Circle, it would be easy to under-estimate the value of their unstinting professionalism in making sure that everything ran smoothly, and that the all-important legal requirements were met on time. It was reassuring to have Nic’s knowledge and guidance whenever we needed it, checking in with the Registrar and alerting us to an error made by the GP in registering the death.

By the time the day approached, strange to say, but we started to anticipate a beautiful occasion, full of Harriet’s life, safe in the knowledge that if anything went wrong Full Circle, and all their amazing staff had our backs and would make it ok. They did more than make it ok: they made a day which was full of love and grief, tears and laughter, very special for a lot of people. We will never be able to adequately say thank you for all the professional competence and tender loving support.

We are truly grateful to Charlotte for sharing her experience to help and empower others – please support us to reach as many people as possible by sharing Harriet and Charlotte’s story with anyone who you think will find it helpful.

If you would like to support to understand and express your wishes, or have any questions about funeral choices or how to arrange a funeral then we will try to answer any questions that you have – we are here to help

Award-Winning Service at Full Circle Funerals

At Full Circle Funerals, we are proud to have been recognized for our dedication to compassionate, thoughtful, and innovative funeral care. Our commitment to supporting individuals and families during difficult times has been acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards and nominations over the years, which serve as a testament to our unwavering focus on providing exceptional services.

Full Circle Funerals Yorkshire

We have been honored multiple times at the Good Funeral Awards – the only national funeral awards in the UK. These awards celebrate excellence in funeral services, with decisions based on feedback from families and professionals. Winning these awards has meant a great deal to us, as they reflect the positive impact of our approach.

In 2017, we were delighted to win “Best Modern Funeral Director.”
In 2018, we were nominated for “Funeral Director of the Year.”
Recognition continued in 2019 and 2021 as finalists in the categories “Green Funeral Director of the Year” and “Best Newcomer.”
Most recently, in 2023, we were thrilled to win both “Green Funeral Director of the Year” and “Funeral Director of the Year.” While we haven’t entered the awards since, who knows what 2025 might bring!

Locally, our work has also been celebrated. At the Yorkshire Choice Awards, which honour businesses and individuals making a positive difference in the region, we were finalists in both the “Independent Business of the Year” and “Community Impact” categories. We’ve also been recognized by the Stray Ferret Awards, celebrating excellence in North Yorkshire businesses, where we were proud to be finalists.

In addition to industry accolades, our innovation and commitment to creating a supportive workplace culture have earned international recognition through the Modern Work Awards, highlighting our dedication not only to client care but also to building an empowered and compassionate team. On the national stage, Full Circle represented funeral care as finalists in the prestigious Lloyds Bank Business Excellence Awards 2022.

Our founder, Sarah Jones, has received personal recognition for her leadership and contributions. She was shortlisted in the Stray Ferret Awards as a “Dynamic Leader” for her work as a speaker, campaigner, researcher, author, business leader, and mentor. In 2023, Sarah was also a finalist in the “Mentor of the Year” category at the Connect Yorkshire Awards.

Ultimately, while we strive to ensure that every family we support feels valued, heard, and cared for during their journey with us, this external validation is much appreciated and service to reassure people looking to choose a funeral director.

Full Circle Funerals Partners Altrincham

Our Partners service in Altrincham, owned by Jeremy and Sara Fixter have also been the recipients of local and national awards.

At the 2023 Good Funeral Awards they won the Best Bereavement Awareness Support Award, the judges based their decision on testimonials that were received from people who they have helped and professionals they have supported and signposted to bereavement resources in the past year. They were also finalists for Funeral Director of the year in 2024.

Locally Jez and Sara have won Business of the Year in the Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce Awards 2024

Full Circle Funerals has been supporting Yorkshire lawyer Ian, who’s arranged for his body to be composted, when he dies. Here he shares with us why he chose this natural approach, and how he discussed his choices with his family.

Human composting in the USA — A posed dummy with plant material demonstrates how the decedent’s body is placed in a Recompose cradle during a laying-in ceremony, just before the soil transformation process begins.
Photo Credit: Recompose

Why I Chose Human Composting

Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction (NOR), is an alternative to burial or cremation that’s currently available in some parts of the US. Full Circle Funerals has been supporting Yorkshire lawyer Ian, who’s arranged for his body to be composted, when he dies. Here he shares with us why he chose this natural approach, and how he discussed his choices with his family.

When did you start to think about the type of funeral you wanted?

Following the death of a neighbour and serious illness in my family, when I turned 70 my own mortality suddenly hit me in the face, and I began to dwell on my death. It made me feel rather depressed, if I’m honest, but it also led me to think about what would happen to my body after I died. I’ve been to a few cremations and was unimpressed, at some, by the fact that they seemed to be no more than a conveyor belt type of service, which was rather impersonal, in my experience, with the Celebrant clearly not knowing the person at all. That said, I’ve attended two, beautiful, cremation services, in Churches, one, in fact, the neighbour’s, arranged by Full Circle, which is why I made contact with them. I also have a bit of a strange phobia of being 6ft under.

What led you to consider human composting as an option?

I read an article about human composting, in the Guardian, a couple of years ago, to which I was immediately attracted, so I was aware of this as an alternative. I’m quite environmentally aware, and like to be forward thinking, and I was an early adopter of the electric car, for example. Despite this, and the fact that I’m known for being a bit of a non-conformist, when I mentioned human composting to my family, they thought I was absolutely bonkers!

Did you consider any other alternatives?

I looked into human composting in more detail and also looked at other processes such as aquamation, which Archbishop Desmond Tutu had, but, although the equipment is made in Leeds, this isn’t available in the UK, just yet. There’s a freeze-drying/shattering process too, I discovered, but I don’t think that’s got off the ground. I was interested in the Sikh tradition of open pyre funerals, which again involves a natural process, above ground. Following a High Court case that permitted them on religious reasons, I understand they’re now available in Northumbria, but apparently only for Sikhs. My wife and I visited two natural burial grounds, in Yorkshire, but these still involve being buried, somewhat deep underground, which I don’t want.

How did you go about researching and planning for natural organic reduction?

I’m using a company called Recompose, in Seattle, WA, USA. My wife did say that she’d prefer my remains to stay in Yorkshire, but we discussed it, and I explained that a traditional funeral service isn’t something I want, as an agnostic. I want to be neither buried, nor cremated, and prefer for my remains to be returned back to nature, as soil, on the surface of the Planet, in a beautiful landscape, and I don’t want anyone to feel any obligation to make a pilgrimage to visit and tend a grave, whatsoever.

The environmental impact is quite important to me too. Cremations use a lot of natural gas, and release a lot of CO₂ etc, and cemeteries use valuable land, that’s in short supply, that could be used for other purposes. I had to confirm that my body could be transported to the US without being embalmed, as that would mean that it couldn’t be composted. I’m pleased to say that this is possible, thanks to David Billington’s researches. The only aspect with a carbon footprint is the flight, but I’ve kind of justified that to myself in the knowledge that the flight would be going anyway, and it won’t be being arranged just for me. By being a relatively early adopter of this process, in due course, I hope that in the future it will be available more widely, particularly in the UK, so that there’s no need to travel overseas.

How does human composting work?

The whole process is very natural and beautiful. My body will be laid in a cradle within a honeycomb structure above ground and be covered with plant material, including alfalfa, wood chips and straw. I’ve chosen some of my favourite music to be played during my “laying in”. Over the next 30 days, microbes that occur naturally in our bodies and the environment will transform my body into nutrient-dense soil. The whole process is very in tune with people and nature. The soil can be returned to relatives if they live in the US, but I’ve chosen for mine to be used in a mountain re-wilding project near Seattle.

How have you found the process of choosing and setting out your funeral wishes?

It’s been an extremely positive process. I don’t have to worry any more about what will happen to my body after I die, so I’ve no fear of dying now, and it’s really helped me to know what is going to happen in the end, and, until then, I intend to live life to the fullest.

David, at Full Circle, was very friendly, understood my concerns and phobias, helpfully listened to my needs, did the necessary research, and liaised with Recompose, who are also great to work with.

I’ve signed up to Recompose’s “Precompose” plan, where I’m locked in at a fixed price, and pay a monthly instalment, by a direct debit, from my credit card. When I die, Full Circle will set the wheels in motion, in the UK, and send me to Recompose, who will take over from there. Of course, there’ll be additional fees to pay Full Circle, and I set aside a monthly sum, in a savings account specifically for that, so my wife won’t have to worry about finding that money when I go.

The NOR process is now legal in Washington State, California, Colorado and New York State (the most recent adopter). Who knows, legislation permitting, Recompose may one day open a Branch here. My Plan is transferrable to any of their locations, but, at present, I’m staying with their HQ in Seattle, a city I’ve visited, many years ago, and my son lives not too far away in Canada.

There are many ways to be creative when arranging a funeral. If you are arranging a funeral or would like to know more to support others, then read on.

What does creativity mean?

We believe that choice and creativity are two sides of the same coin. While discussing this as a team, there are two metaphors which we have found helpful. In our experience, creativity is often “sparked” or “inspired” by knowing the choices that are available – and then making a little tweak here and there.

Choice is being given a menu of delicious dishes to choose from, whereas creativity is being given a bag of ingredients and empowered to make a new dish which is completely unique to your taste.

To use another FCF team metaphor, choice is being given a list of options on a piece of paper and a pencil, to tick the choices that are best for you.

In the funeral arrangement process this difference might look like browsing a selection of existing options and choosing from these or using this knowledge and your experience to curate something a little different. In our experience, talking about what is possible often leads to creative funeral ideas and results in a more creative funeral.

When does creativity happen?

We know that many people consider funeral choices in the weeks and monthly before someone dies and the arrangements and decisions continue until the funeral service or committal take place. In addition to a creative funeral, there are also choices and space for creativity after the funeral with the creation of post-funeral rituals.

Before someone dies, they may share with their family and friends what they would like for their funeral and these wishes are likely to create a framework for additional choices and opportunities to be creative. They may have their own thoughts about creative funeral flowers or other creative funeral ideas.

From the first moment after someone has died, there are choices and whenever there is a choice, there is an opportunity to be creative within these choices. If you are using the service is a funeral director, then you have choices about when someone is brought into their care and what the person who has died is wearing or has with them. Throughout your meetings with the funeral director, they will share choices and give the opportunity for you to together expand these choices with as much, or as little, creativity as you like. For example, there are many creative funeral poem ideas which we can share with you (or you can find using an internet search).

Making funeral decisions takes some time and deliberation and as the right choices become clearer to you, you may also find opportunity to adapt and “tweak” them a little – so they feel even more appropriate a fitting. You may also find yourself taking inspiration from other events or experience you have had – a wedding or other celebration.

What can help?

Being creative within your funeral arrangements is not for everyone. For some, it is an important way to participate and consolation – for others it would be an added and unwelcome pressure. If you know what is possible – they you can do what is right for you.

The time leading up to a funeral is busy and can be quite daunting. If there is a way to utilize the anyone who has offered their help then you might consider asking for them to support with daily tasks like bringing some food, sweeping the leaves or running some errands for you – people often want to help but don’t know where to start and delegating might mean you have a little more time to mull over your options.

You may be very much in touch with your creative side or (like me) sometimes find it a little elusive. If so, you would reach out to some family or friends who you trust and who’s creative sparks you have appreciated in the past. They could come to the florist with you or help you think about something that would accompany the flowers on the top of te coffin.

Top 5 funeral ideas for creatives

Clothing

What would you like people to wear to the funeral? Is there something specific that the person that had died would appreciate? What about a token item to wear, in addition to clothing? Some people like to wear a specific colour, a pin of something special, or incorporate a theme into the clothing to be worn by attendees.

Food and drink

Are you thinking of including food or drink at the funeral or wake? Is there something special that you would like to serve? Did the person that has died have a favourite snack or tipple? Is there a special dish that is important to you as a family or group of friends?

Sharing memories

Some people find that they would like for memories of the person to be shared during the funeral service or at the wake. This could look like particular people speaking during the service, memories being written on cards or in a book by attendees, or asking individuals to contribute their memories to a memory tree or other structure.

Funeral favours

Would you like to give attendees a little something to remember the service? These small gifts could be anything from the person’s favourite sweet or favourite flower bulbs.

Coffin choice

There are many different types of coffins to choose from, but did you know that many can be personalised? Cardboard coffins can be used as a canvas for drawings, paintings, and collage. Flowers can be attached to coffins and so they can form the base of a floral arrangement.

Everyone is different

There is no right or wrong way to approach arranging a funeral, and the important thing is that you make decisions that are right for you and the people that you care about. This might look like making entirely original choices, or it might look like curating options and choices to create an event that is right for you.

If you have enjoyed this blog, you might be interested in reading more about funeral choices. You can also read our previous blogs How to make a funeral more personal and What to wear to a funeral for further inspiration.