Arrange a funeral

Use our bereavement support service if you have questions about a funeral, or need help arranging one.

A funeral can usually only take place after registering a death. But you can begin planning one before registration happens.

Hiring a funeral director

If you don’t want to arrange a funeral yourself, you can use a local funeral director. They will provide you with a breakdown of costs at your initial meeting. All costs will be in their final bill, usually sent to you after the funeral.

The funeral director will make all the arrangements, including:

• completing the necessary forms
• obtaining medical certificates
• discussing funeral arrangements
• transferring the deceased
• advising on registering the death

Final a local funeral director:

• National Association of Funeral Directors or call 0845 230 1343
• Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors or call 0345 230 6777

Arranging a funeral yourself

You may prefer to plan the funeral and burial yourself. This is called an 'independent funeral’, rather than using a funeral director.

Making your own arrangements may let you say goodbye to your loved one in a personal way. But, it will involve more organising.

Contact us at 0207 525 5600 to arrange an appointment and discuss holding an independent funeral.

You can start to arrange an independent funeral before the death is registered.

Contact us

You can:

• email bereavementservice@southwark.gov.uk
• phone 020 7525 7270

You can also write to us at:

Southwark Register Office

34 Peckham Road

London 

SE5 8QA