My funeral wishes: Should I leave them in a Will?

At some stage, most of us will start thinking about our funeral wishes. Asking key questions such as

• Where will the funeral take place?

• Who will attend?

• What music will be played?

• Will my family cope?

• Who will cover the cost of a funeral

Choosing how and where to share funeral wishes can be difficult.

Candid conversations with loved ones are never easy and some people may even refuse to talk about death, preferring to focus on the present.

This means funeral wishes may need to be written down and stored somewhere where they will be read once funeral preparations begin.

Are funeral wishes in a Will legally binding?

In short, no. Under current law, funeral wishes in a Will are not legally binding.

The executors appointed in a Will have ownership of the body and are technically considered the decision-makers with regards to funeral arrangements.

However, in practice, it will be your family members and close friends, who are not necessarily appointed as executor in the Will, who will make your funeral arrangements.

Your last Will and Testament is a legal written document that specifies where and to who you wish your property and possessions - known as your ‘estate’ - to be distributed.

There is no reason not to include your funeral wishes in your Will, but along with the fact they are not legally binding, bear in mind that your family may have begun making funeral arrangements before your Will has been retrieved.

Therefore, leaving final wishes solely in your will isn’t the best option. So, what are the alternatives for sharing your funeral wishes?

How to make your final wishes known

Whether you have specific wishes as to the funeral you want, or you just want to provide reassurance for your loved ones that the funeral they are arranging is actually what you wanted, there are a few ways you can make your final wishes known:

1. Get a funeral plan

Funeral plans are a great way arranging the funeral in advance and possibly the best way to ensure your funeral wishes are followed.

Whilst your family will likely have the ability to make changes to the plan (such as upgrading it), there is more chance your wishes will be followed if you have already put arrangements in place.

Taking out a funeral plan gives you the ability to pay for the funeral in advance either upfront or in instalments. This means your family won’t be facing a large bill when the time comes.

If you’d like the peace of mind of knowing that everything is arranged and paid for, then talk to us about arranging a low-cost prepaid funeral plan.

Our team will take you through all of the options and explain exactly how funeral plans work, as well as making all costs and possibilities clear. 

Our direct cremation funeral plans start from just £1,799, with an option to pay in instalments over 24 months (£79.12).

If you choose a funeral plan, you should share details of the plan with your executor/s and family, so they do not go to the expense of arranging a funeral without any knowledge of provisions you have already made.

2. Use our free share your funeral wishes template

Possibly the easiest option is to write down a list of specific instructions that is separate from your Will, with our free share your wishes form. You may also choose to do this after you have had an initial conversation with your family.

Whether it’s a few basic instructions such as the funeral music you’d like to be played or the people you’d like to do a reading, writing it down can be the best way of conveying exactly what you want.

Not only will sharing your wishes with your loved ones relieve some of the uncertainty and stress often associated with arranging a funeral, but it may also provide reassurance to your family that they are celebrating your life in the way you would have wanted.

3. Talk to your family

As your expression of funeral wishes are not legally binding and can be overturned by family, it's best to talk to them beforehand, along with leaving your wishes in a written document or purchasing a funeral plan.

Speaking about your funeral provides a chance to clear the air if required, or allows you to explain to others why your funeral wishes are so important to you.

It’s important to remember that some people may find talking about death and your funeral a difficult subject.

This conversation could be as simple as advising them of your preference between cremation or burial. A simple conversation will go a long way to ease stress during a difficult time.

Simplicity can help with your funeral wishes

If you have any further questions regarding funeral wishes or any general funeral queries, then don’t forget you can always get in touch by phone or completing our enquiry form.

Our dedicated Simplicity Cremations contact centre are here to help - Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Saturdays, 9am until noon.