How to Choose a Funeral Director
Choosing a funeral director is a personal decision, and the right choice can make a big difference to your experience of arranging a funeral. It isn’t just about the services that are available, but about the way those services are provided and the values that guide the care.
Taking a little time to ask a few questions can help you feel confident that the support you receive reflects what matters most to you.
1. How would you describe your approach, and how might you help me?
Every funeral director has their own way of working. Some may focus on tradition and formality, while others place more emphasis on flexibility and personalisation. Asking about their approach will give you a sense of whether the way they work feels right for you and your person.
2. Is the funeral director independent or part of a larger corporate group?
Funeral directors can be independent, family-led services or part of a larger national company. Both may offer a similar range of services, but the way they work can feel very different.
Independent funeral directors are usually rooted in their local communities, with smaller teams who take time to build personal relationships. Decisions are made locally rather than by a head office, which often allows for more flexibility and responsiveness to individual wishes.
If having continuity, flexibility and a personal connection is important to you, choosing an independent funeral director may feel more supportive and reassuring.
3. Who will be supporting me, and will it be the same person throughout?
When arranging a funeral, it can help to know who will be there to guide you. Some funeral directors work as part of a larger team, while others will support you personally from the first call through to the day of the funeral service.
Having one person alongside you throughout can bring a sense of reassurance and continuity, which many people find especially valuable at such a difficult time.
4. Where will the person who has died be cared for?
Different funeral directors have different facilities and approaches to care. Some use a central hub alongside smaller local premises, while others provide all care in one place. Because funeral care is not regulated, there can be a lot of variation.
If this is important to you, it is worth asking where your person will be cared for and how that care is provided. A thoughtful funeral director will be open about their facilities and will not mind showing you their care spaces or explaining their approach in detail.
5. How will the person be cared for?
Funeral directors take different approaches to caring for the person who has died. Some routinely embalm, while others only do so when specifically requested.
We believe gentle, respectful care is most important, and embalming is not always necessary. As such, we do not recommend it as a routine step. If a family feels it may be right for their person, we can arrange this with a professional embalmer and make sure the decision is an informed one.
Asking a funeral director about their approach to care will help you understand what will happen and make sure it reflects your wishes.
6. Can we spend time with our person while they are in your care?
For many people, having the chance to spend time with the person who has died is very important. Funeral directors differ in how they arrange this. Some set limits on visiting hours, while others aim to be more flexible.
It is worth asking how visits are organised, whether they can be arranged outside of normal hours, and if there are any charges. We believe these visits should fit around the needs of families, so we offer evening and weekend options wherever possible, and we do not charge for this.
7. How much will the funeral cost?
Funerals can feel daunting when it comes to costs, especially if you are unsure how prices are broken down. A good funeral director will make their pricing transparent and easy to understand, with no hidden charges.
It is also worth remembering that the meaning of a funeral comes from what is said, shared, and experienced, not from how much money is spent. Asking to see clear price information up front can help you feel confident that you are making decisions based on what matters most to you.
8. Will you be able to accommodate a specific funeral date?
Sometimes it is important for the funeral to take place on a particular date, or to avoid certain days. This might be for family reasons, cultural traditions, or simply what feels right.
Funeral directors vary in how flexible they can be, so it is worth asking about their availability. A supportive funeral director will also be willing to check with crematoria, cemeteries, or other venues on your behalf to help you arrange the funeral service on a date that works for you.
Final thoughts
Choosing a funeral director is about more than practical arrangements. It is about finding someone whose approach feels right for you and your person. Asking a few thoughtful questions can help you understand how they work, what values guide their care, and whether you feel comfortable placing your trust in them.
A good funeral director will always welcome your questions and support you in making the choices that are best for your family.
If you would like to talk to us, or ask any of these questions directly, we are here to help:
jeremy@circlefunerals.co.uk
0161 928 6080
Taking a little time to ask a few questions can help you feel confident that the support you receive reflects what matters most to you.
1. How would you describe your approach, and how might you help me?
Every funeral director has their own way of working. Some may focus on tradition and formality, while others place more emphasis on flexibility and personalisation. Asking about their approach will give you a sense of whether the way they work feels right for you and your person.
2. Is the funeral director independent or part of a larger corporate group?
Funeral directors can be independent, family-led services or part of a larger national company. Both may offer a similar range of services, but the way they work can feel very different.
Independent funeral directors are usually rooted in their local communities, with smaller teams who take time to build personal relationships. Decisions are made locally rather than by a head office, which often allows for more flexibility and responsiveness to individual wishes.
If having continuity, flexibility and a personal connection is important to you, choosing an independent funeral director may feel more supportive and reassuring.
3. Who will be supporting me, and will it be the same person throughout?
When arranging a funeral, it can help to know who will be there to guide you. Some funeral directors work as part of a larger team, while others will support you personally from the first call through to the day of the funeral service.
Having one person alongside you throughout can bring a sense of reassurance and continuity, which many people find especially valuable at such a difficult time.
4. Where will the person who has died be cared for?
Different funeral directors have different facilities and approaches to care. Some use a central hub alongside smaller local premises, while others provide all care in one place. Because funeral care is not regulated, there can be a lot of variation.
If this is important to you, it is worth asking where your person will be cared for and how that care is provided. A thoughtful funeral director will be open about their facilities and will not mind showing you their care spaces or explaining their approach in detail.
5. How will the person be cared for?
Funeral directors take different approaches to caring for the person who has died. Some routinely embalm, while others only do so when specifically requested.
We believe gentle, respectful care is most important, and embalming is not always necessary. As such, we do not recommend it as a routine step. If a family feels it may be right for their person, we can arrange this with a professional embalmer and make sure the decision is an informed one.
Asking a funeral director about their approach to care will help you understand what will happen and make sure it reflects your wishes.
6. Can we spend time with our person while they are in your care?
For many people, having the chance to spend time with the person who has died is very important. Funeral directors differ in how they arrange this. Some set limits on visiting hours, while others aim to be more flexible.
It is worth asking how visits are organised, whether they can be arranged outside of normal hours, and if there are any charges. We believe these visits should fit around the needs of families, so we offer evening and weekend options wherever possible, and we do not charge for this.
7. How much will the funeral cost?
Funerals can feel daunting when it comes to costs, especially if you are unsure how prices are broken down. A good funeral director will make their pricing transparent and easy to understand, with no hidden charges.
It is also worth remembering that the meaning of a funeral comes from what is said, shared, and experienced, not from how much money is spent. Asking to see clear price information up front can help you feel confident that you are making decisions based on what matters most to you.
8. Will you be able to accommodate a specific funeral date?
Sometimes it is important for the funeral to take place on a particular date, or to avoid certain days. This might be for family reasons, cultural traditions, or simply what feels right.
Funeral directors vary in how flexible they can be, so it is worth asking about their availability. A supportive funeral director will also be willing to check with crematoria, cemeteries, or other venues on your behalf to help you arrange the funeral service on a date that works for you.
Final thoughts
Choosing a funeral director is about more than practical arrangements. It is about finding someone whose approach feels right for you and your person. Asking a few thoughtful questions can help you understand how they work, what values guide their care, and whether you feel comfortable placing your trust in them.
A good funeral director will always welcome your questions and support you in making the choices that are best for your family.
If you would like to talk to us, or ask any of these questions directly, we are here to help:
jeremy@circlefunerals.co.uk
0161 928 6080
