How to talk about death and funeral planning

Last updated 5^th March 2024

9 min read

You might struggle to talk about death and dying. But it's important to discuss funeral planning with your loved ones.

Perhaps you're unsure of where to start or what to say, or you're looking for help with planning. If so, this article covers everything you need to know.

Why is it important to talk about death and funerals?

Our recent report on funeral costs found that just 1% of people know all their loved one's funeral wishes.

Only 1 in 3 knew if their loved one wanted a religious or non-religious ceremony. And less than half knew if they'd wanted a burial or cremation.

We all think we know those closest to us. But in reality, most of us are unsure about the send-off our loved ones would like. In fact, many of us haven't thought about what we'd like ourselves, unless we've had to plan a funeral for someone else.

Talking about what sort of funeral you'd like is the only way to be sure your family and friends know what to plan. Whatever your age, it's never too early to start the conversation about death and funerals.

It might not be a comfortable topic of conversation. But it really will help to chat about what you or your loved ones want.

You might know exactly what kind of funeral you'd like. Or maybe you don't mind what happens. Either way, your loved ones will want to do right by you.

But, if you're not ready to talk about it, why not write down your thoughts somewhere instead? Then when the time's right, our simple tips could help you start the conversation.

What can happen if you don't talk about death with loved ones?

Talking about death with your loved ones can feel awkward, especially if it feels too early. But avoiding these conversations can lead to rushed discussions during times of grief and distress.

When the time does come, if there's no will (known as dying intestate) or power of attorney authorised, it could cause more stress for loved ones at an already difficult time.

Talking about death can also open up meaningful conversations that may otherwise go unsaid.

Not talking about funeral arrangements and death can make things harder for loved ones in the future. So it's worth talking openly and honestly to help them prepare.

Tips for starting the difficult conversation

The thought of talking about your funeral (or a family member's funeral) can be scary and easy to avoid. Still, it's an important discussion you need to have with your family.

As it can be difficult to find the right moment, here are some suggestions to help you:

Talk it through over a cup of tea

Talking about your funeral in a relaxed setting can make things more comfortable. It can also make your family more open to asking questions.

Gather your adult children together

Gather all your adult children so you can have the conversation with everyone's support. This also means you'll only need to start the conversation once. This will make things easier for everyone.

Begin with your basic wishes

Start the conversation off with some simple preferences. For example, say whether you'd like a cremation or burial. Rather than giving your loved ones too much at once, ease into the talk and a discussion will follow.

Talking about your own death or funeral wishes

Now we've given you some tips to start the conversation, let's explore what you might want to talk about.

What you might want to talk about

When talking about or documenting your wishes, make it easier by deciding what kind of funeral you'd like. This is important and gives your loved ones a starting point to work from.

Would you like a burial, standard cremation, or direct cremation (no ceremony)?
Do you want a religious or non-religious funeral?
How do you feel about having a wake?

Once the most important aspects of your funeral are decided, it's up to you what happens next.

If you have no strong feelings, make it clear the rest of the ceremony is up to those planning. Let them know they're free to do what they feel is right at the time.

However, if you'd like to plan a funeral that reflects your character, consider:

Do any funeral songs or hymns have special meaning to you? If not, you could draw inspiration from our funeral song generator.
Are there any nice or funny stories or life events you'd like mentioning in your eulogy?
Would you rather have a traditional funeral or a celebration of your life?
Are there any words or funeral poems that you hold dear?
Do you want to be remembered with a memorial?
Where would you like your funeral to take place?
Where would you like your ashes to be scattered?

How to approach the chat

There's no right or wrong way to talk about death and funeral plans. Starting the conversation is probably the hardest part. Once it's been raised, your family may begin to feel comfortable talking about it.

You should approach it in the way that's most comfortable for you and those around you. So find a moment free of stress or tension.

To ease your family into the conversation, try talking about the funeral of someone you know. Or you could talk about a funeral you've been to, or one you've seen on TV or the news. Or, if you prefer a simpler approach, sit everyone down and explain the situation.

If you've been ill, your family may have been expecting the chat. They might even have wanted to bring it up themselves. If you're healthy, reassure your loved ones that planning your funeral now will make things easier for them down the line.

How to document your funeral requests

You might have decided on the kind of funeral you'd like and even discussed some plans with your family. But it's important to document your thinking. This will make it easier for everyone when the time comes.

If you're not sure where to start:

Consider how your funeral might be paid for. Are you going to leave a contribution towards the cost yourself? For example, do you have over 50s life insurance in place?
Record your funeral wishes, whether in your will or as part of a funeral plan. Our perfect send-off planner can help you document your wishes and keep them safe. They'll be ready for your loved ones when they're needed.
Make sure to store your requests somewhere safe and tell someone where they are. Then when it comes to arranging the funeral, your loved ones can find everything they need.

We've discussed talking about your own death and funeral, but how do you talk to someone who's dying? It's not always easy, so we're here to help you start that conversation.

Talking to someone who is dying

It can be difficult, but talking with a dying loved one about their funeral plans and finances is important. It can help to give them peace of mind during their final days. Especially if they're worried about bringing up the conversation themselves.

This can help them enjoy their last moments with loved ones even more. It can also help you to know you're following their final wishes.

How to make your loved one feel comfortable

Once you've sat down with your loved one to start a conversation, you can use these tips to make it easier for both of you:

Use open and gentle body language and don't be afraid to look your loved one in the eye to give them comfort
Ask leading questions to encourage them to open up about uncomfortable topics
Don't be afraid of silences, tears or emotion. Let the conversation flow and pause naturally
Be honest and open about your feelings. They'll appreciate you for it
Reassure your loved one that you're there for them

What to say to someone who is dying?

When talking with an ill or dying loved one, the key is to be compassionate. As sad as it may be, try to approach any conversations openly.

The funeral isn't the only thing you need to consider when someone dies. Here are some other important matters to discuss:

Have you considered any future medical care and where it's going to take place?
Are you going to pay for care or look after your loved one as a family?
Have they set up a will or do they need to make any final changes?

It's also important to sort out any finances and unpaid bills before your loved one passes away. You'll also need to deal with any online accounts. The last thing you need when you're grieving is to sort through a pile of documents and unpaid bills.

Lastly, discuss setting up a lasting power of attorney with your loved one. This gives you authority to make decisions on their behalf. It lets you act in their interest when it comes to financial or welfare matters (if they're not able to make decisions themselves).

Asking about their funeral wishes

Discussing funeral wishes is even more difficult when you know it's in the near future. Be prepared that you may both become emotional and upset, which is normal and expected.

All you can do is try and make the conversation as comfortable as possible for your loved one. Gather their thoughts and gently ask simple questions that might help you do right by them.

Some things you might want to consider discussing are:

Burial or cremation – some people can feel strongly about the type of funeral they'd like
Whether it should be a traditional funeral or a celebration of life
Funeral songs and/or hymns
Any words or funeral poems they like
What type of wake they might prefer
Funeral location – for example, would they like a church service after the funeral?
Location for burying or scattering ashes
Dress code – traditional black, colourful or something else?

There are many ways a funeral can be made more personal to the individual. And it's quite common for someone who is dying to add a personal touch to their funeral.

Talking to children about death

Death and funerals are tricky topics to talk about with children. Explaining why they won't be able to see their loved one anymore can be difficult. Especially if it's someone they were close to.

Many children won't have experienced grief before, so it can be hard for them to understand. Be prepared to comfort their tears and spend time explaining why their loved one won't be coming back.

You may want to avoid using euphemisms or metaphors such as 'they've gone to sleep'. It could confuse them, meaning they may not fully understand or process the death. Instead, use clear, gentle and honest language when explaining death to children.

Should children go to a funeral?

Each situation is different, and a child's relationship with the deceased will vary. So unfortunately there's no right answer.

If you're not sure, it might be useful to talk to other family members to see what they think. You can also reach out to friends who have organised or been to funerals with children there.

When deciding if children should be at the service, consider their age and maturity. Will they understand what's happening? Will you be able to help them if they get upset?

Whatever you decide, spend time explaining to the child what will happen at the funeral. This way, they'll know what to expect.

Where to get help talking about death or funeral planning?

Discussing your funeral wishes may feel daunting. But it's a kind and compassionate thing to do for your loved ones. Discover how you can start saving for your funeral or find out more about the steps to planning a funeral.

For more information and advice:

Child Bereavement UK have advice about talking to a child about death(www.childbereavementuk.org opens in a new tab)
Marie Curie have a confidential online chat(www.mariecurie.org.uk opens in a new tab) if you want to talk about someone who is dying
Independent Age have a guide on planning for end of life(www.independentage.org opens in a new tab)

It's not always easy to know how to talk about dying and funerals. But planning ahead will give you and your family one less thing to worry about.

The thoughts and opinions expressed in the page are those of the authors, intended to be informative, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SunLife. See our Terms of Use for more info.

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