The timing of a funeral after a person’s death depends on a number of factors, including their culture and religious beliefs, as well as the circumstances around how they died. However, in the UK, funerals tend to be around two weeks after a death, but the exact timing depends on several circumstances.
Here, we explore in more detail how long after death a funeral usually is and what the next steps are after someone dies.
What happens when someone dies?
When somebody dies, one of the first steps is to register the death. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this must be done within five days unless a coroner is involved.
You can’t officially record a death or arrange a funeral until the necessary paperwork is completed.
After registering the death, the family can start planning a funeral service – or celebration of life, depending on the wishes of that person. If there is no reason why a funeral shouldn’t be held, it wouldn’t be uncommon for a funeral to then take place in the next two weeks.
Can the time of year impact how long after death a funeral is?
It’s no secret that in the UK, if a person dies around the time of a public holiday, it can delay the time of a funeral. Dates like Christmas and Easter, as well as bank holidays, can influence how long after death a funeral is held, as crematoriums and cemeteries might have limited opening hours or even be closed entirely.
What happens if there is a post-mortem or inquest?
A post-mortem – sometimes known as an autopsy – is a medical examination of a body after death. It is conducted to determine the cause of death. They usually happen within a few days after death and take place if the cause of death is unclear or suspicious.
You can start arranging a funeral before a post-mortem examination. However, the funeral cannot take place until the body has been released and the necessary paperwork has been completed. With that in mind, a post-mortem might delay the time it takes for a funeral to happen after death.
An inquest is a public judicial inquiry, led by a coroner, which determines the circumstances surrounding a death. They are held when the cause of death is unknown or if there is a reason to suspect the death was violent or unnatural.
If an inquest is taking place, it might cause a delay. However, the coroner will usually issue an interim death certificate so the funeral can proceed despite an ongoing inquest.
Cemeteries and crematorium waiting time
In some areas, especially busier cities or towns, crematoriums and cemeteries can have longer waiting times due to a higher demand.
It’s also worth noting that due to a shift in more people wanting to be cremated or loved ones choosing cremations, the number of cremations is at an all-time high. In fact, according to the latest figures, 80% of registered deaths in the British Isles were cremated.
Although crematoriums want to accommodate families quickly, some may have longer waiting times, particularly if a specific date or time is preferred. Additionally, delays may occur if the family wishes to hold the funeral at a church or another specific venue.
Do religious circumstances have an impact?
Religion can have a significant impact on how quickly a funeral can take place. For example, in Jewish and Muslim communities, traditionally, people are buried as soon as possible after they die (ideally within 24 hours). With that in mind, these funerals will be arranged quickly.
On the other hand, Christian funerals are generally more flexible and so can take place several days – or weeks – after death.
If I plan my own funeral, could it speed up the process?
It’s becoming common for people to lean towards planning their own funeral. Not only would planning your funeral simplify the process for your loved ones, but it could also speed it up.
People want to plan their own funerals for many reasons, including:
- Peace of mind
- Reducing stress for loved ones
- The ability to personalise their funeral service
- To relieve loved ones of the financial burden that often comes with planning a funeral
Funeral planning with Fiesta Farewell
Ultimately, the timing of a funeral in the UK depends on multiple factors, and while most funeral services occur within two weeks after death, there’s no one rule.
These days, it’s becoming more popular for families to plan a unique funeral service or celebration of life to reflect the person who has died. At Fiesta Farewell, we seamlessly connect people with a range of trusted funeral service providers, allowing them to plan a meaningful goodbye to their loved one.
Additionally, if you are wanting to plan your own funeral, then why not create a ‘wish list’ with Fiesta Farewell? This way, your loved ones will know exactly what you want your funeral – or celebration of life – to look like. This will not only help to speed up the funeral-planning process after death, but it will relieve a lot of the stress for your loved ones during what can be an extremely emotional and challenging time.
Explore Fiesta Farewell and find out how we can help you plan a personalised funeral service.
