None of us like to think about dying, but the reality is that it’s an inevitable part of life. While you may not want to confront your own mortality, it’s important to take the time to consider what you would like to happen when you pass away.

This will ensure that not only do your wishes get enacted, but also that your family has a clear blueprint to guide them during what is likely to be a challenging time. 

By planning for your funeral, you can give them peace of mind that they’re following your wishes and take some of the stress out of the funeral planning process. 

So, if you’re ready to start planning your funeral in 2026, here is our guide to what you need to consider.

1. Paying for your funeral

It’s easy to forget that funerals cost money and, in fact, how much money you have set aside can have an impact on the type of funeral you have. 

According to figures from Money Helper, a basic cremation costs an average of £1,597 in the UK, while a burial carried out through a funeral director comes in at over £5,000. Thinking about this and setting aside some cash ahead of time can be very helpful for your family. 

One option is to choose a pre-paid funeral plan, or to give you a bit more control and alleviate some of the organisational burden from your family, you could pre-purchase a plot in a green burial park and even pay for the associated service. 

This not only means that you can be sure your wishes will be followed, but also that your family won’t be left facing any unexpected costs. 

2. Discussing your wishes

Planning your funeral isn’t a task that you should carry out in isolation. It can be highly beneficial to talk about your wishes with your loved ones, so that they can ask questions and better understand what you want to happen when you pass away and why. 

One survey found that just under half (49 per cent) of Brits had considered what their funeral would look like. As you might expect, this percentage increases as people get older. 

However, imagining what your funeral will look like is very different to communicating that with the people you love. 

If you’ve chosen burial in a funeral park and you’ve picked a plot that you are pre-paying for, you may even want to consider visiting it with those closest to you, so that you can explain its significance for you. 

3. Thinking about the funeral service

When people think of expressing their wishes for a funeral, their first thought may well be whether they would prefer to be buried or cremated. But this is only one decision to make surrounding your funeral. 

For instance, if you would like to be cremated, have you also considered where you’d like your ashes to be scattered? 

When it comes to the service itself, would you like it to be religious? Are there any readings or songs you would like to include? Perhaps you’d prefer it if all of your friends and family dressed in your favourite colour rather than the more traditional black?

All of these are elements you can pre-plan. You could write out a plan for your funeral that your family can refer to when you’re gone. You may even want to include some of your loved ones in the process of putting this together. 

4. Putting your affairs in order

The bureaucracy around death can feel challenging and one simple way to ease the burden is to ensure you have an up-to-date will that expresses your wishes. 

According to the Money & Pensions Service, over half (56 per cent) of Brits over the age of 18 do not have a will in place. 

Perhaps more surprisingly, 53 per cent of those aged 50 to 64 do not have a will. But if you die without a will in place, it can make the process of sorting out your estate and tying up your affairs more complicated for those you leave behind. 

In addition to a will, you may also want to look into lasting powers of attorney. These documents allow an individual or individuals you trust to make decisions about your finances, health and wellbeing if you lack the capacity to do so yourself. 

While not the lightest topic of conversation, it is important. If you decide that 2026 will be the year you start pre-planning your funeral, you could incorporate the legal aspects into your discussions with your family.