Planning a funeral
Whether you’re here as a result of bereavement or because you’re considering planning your own funeral, you probably have many questions. This page answers questions relating to a death that has already occurred.
There are several things you must do in the first few days after someone dies. For a basic list of where to start when someone dies try the Government website. Otherwise the two main things to do are:
1) Get a medical certificate from a GP or hospital doctor. You’ll need this to register the death.
2) Register the death within 5 days. You’ll then get the documents you need for the funeral.
We can’t register a death for you, but we can help arrange an appointment at the registry office for you and even come with you if you would like us to. You’ll need to have decided beforehand whether a burial or cremation will be taking place so that the correct paperwork can be issued. We can help you think through all your options.
Appointing an Undertaker
At the same time you will need to consider the extent to which you need help to plan and carry out a funeral. For most people the practicalities and emotional strain of carrying out a funeral without support is too much, and so an undertaker is appointed.
Before you appoint someone though, think through what you do and don’t want to happen – do you want a package or do you want more say in what happens and how much you get involved? Does the funeral director you’re talking to have the flexibility to enable you to get involved in the ways you need to? Do you need the person who has died to be embalmed? (it’s not a legal requirement) Do you need to pay for extra cars? Have you sought a few quotes and are you clear on the prices you would be paying before committing?
For more things to consider do take a look at our FAQ page
Do you have to have a funeral?
When it comes to the question of funerals, there is no law that says you have to have one, but it does state that you must:
dispose of the body of the person who has died by burial, cremation or any other means (Births and Deaths Registration)
Usually the options are as follows
The majority of people in the UK opt for cremation. With urban cemetery spaces becoming more sparse, and our changing cultural attitudes the rate has grown from around 30% to over 70% of deaths in the last fifty years.
Depending on whether you choose cremation or burial, there are a few legal requirements which need to be adhered to. Other than that the procedures for arranging these funerals are quite straightforward.
Some people opt for the ceremony to take place on the same day at the same location. Others feel that restrictions such as the size or feel of the venue, or the tightly allocated time slots, can feel like a barrier to creating a truly unique funeral. If you have these concerns then it might be worth considering splitting the ceremony from the cremation. It is possible to hold a service in another location. You can then arrange the cremation later either as an attended, family only service, or as an unattended cremation.
We have connections already with a number of crematoria and cemeteries in the West Midlands but are happy to work with others that we may not already be familiar with.
Direct cremation (also called an unattended cremation) essentially separates the cremation from the ceremony, allowing you more space and time to plan your memorial.
In this instance we would take the person who has died, at an appropriate time to the crematorium without family or friends in attendance, and we would return the ashes to the family as appropriate.
A ceremony may have taken place in advance at a different location or, as is often the case, the family will arrange for a ceremony at a later date in relation to the scattering or burial of the ashes.
This is an option that is becoming more popular around the country for two main reasons. The first being that more and more people are finding that the time restriction and environment of the crematorium does not fit with their needs and wishes. Secondly, with the rising cost of funerals a direct cremation costs less.
Whatever your reason, a direct cremation will allow you to focus on a ceremony that can take place at a time and location that is both meaningful and memorable. Just let us know if you would like us to help you plan and co-ordinate that ceremony.
Arguably the most beautiful option, is a Natural or Woodland Burial.
A natural burial ground might be an existing flower meadow, a site where woodland is being established or more mature parkland. More information and lists of burial grounds near you can be found on the Natural Death Centre’s website
A natural or woodland burial site can provide a peaceful location for a funeral ceremony and is a place where family and friends can feel at peace on subsequent visits as they sit or stroll amongst the trees, flowers and wildlife.
Natural Burials don’t have the same time restrictions as the alternatives, and since they have never been considered a traditional type of funeral there is no expectation about how a ceremony should be conducted. Here you really do have the freedom to celebrate a life in your own way and in your own time.
The only point you may need to think about is that some sites are more ecologically concerned than others. This means that you would need to consider how you want the grave to be marked. Some grounds allow slate plaques; others only allow trees to be planted in commemoration.
At A Natural Undertaking we mostly work with Westall Park , Sun Rising and Temple Fields which are private burial grounds closest to Birmingham. For a more local option there are woodland burial grounds provided by the Local Council, in this case we typically we work with Primrose Meadow which is close to Kings Norton.
For Independent Advice

Reviews on Google
Carrie and the team were absolutely wonderful from start to finish in every way!!
Exceeded our expectations of a beautiful funeral for our Mum done the way we wanted. 🌷
The experience of the loss of my father was a difficult time but regardless of whomever I spoke to, I felt like we were all in safe hands. I had never done anything like this before and the team managed everything for me with regular check ins for my input to make sure that the day ran as smoothly as it could.
A special shout out to Carrie, Fran and Suzi who made me feel as though they cared about me and my family as well as making sure my late father was cared for.
In a time where I had no idea how to put one foot in front of another, Carrie and team were guiding me through it every step of the way. I would, without a seconds hesitation reccomend A Natural Undertaking.
In a time where the world feels dark, these guys provide the light to help you through.
Thank you to all involved.
Fran, Carrie and Suzi are so special. It’s like we were dealing with close friends who had all the time to answer questions and find solutions. Always at the end of the phone and on one occasion going well out of business hours to sort a problem. . All done with kindness, consideration and patience.
I cannot thank the team at Natural Undertaking enough, everyone on that day made such a special effort and my husband’s funeral will leave in my memory a peaceful, calm event, that although very sad was handled with such dignity and professionalism.
Junis Harvey and family.
I'll be forever grateful to Kerri and her team at A Natural Undertaking for their extraordinary compassion, patience, and understanding during such a difficult time. Their kindness, attention to detail, and gentle handling of the complexities surrounding our loss and his sendoff were truly remarkable.
From the moment I reached out, I felt like I'd encountered angels. They demonstrated unwavering empathy and professionalism, guiding us through a challenging period with thoughtful care. Their dedication to honouring my father's spirit and ensuring a peaceful farewell was deeply moving, and I'll never forget their selfless efforts to make his celebration of life a reflection of who he truly was.
Her warmth, honesty and compassion shone through. She helped us to navigate the early days of our grief and to create a celebration of mum’s life that honored her in a personal way.
What Suzy has given us goes well beyond what any of us expected from an undertaker.
Fiona Adams, Moseley
When I first looked at A Natural Undertaking’s website, I felt instinctively that they would be the right people to support me with this most difficult of tasks. Since then, Fran and her team have proven over and over again that it was the right decision.
I cannot thank Fran enough for her compassion, support, advice, suggestions, recommendations and amazing organisational skills right from my very first contact with her. This continued right up to the day itself, which I would not have been able to get through without Fran’s support. She has been a reliable and reassuring presence during what has been the hardest time in my life.
So many people who attended have commented that they didn’t know that a funeral could be done in such a beautifully non-traditional way, and with such individual and unusual details - from the white car and the beautiful coffin and flowers, even down to Fran’s shoes! Several have even said that it was the best funeral they had ever been to.
The importance of the work that Fran and her team are leading to offer an alternative to the usual grim traditions, and to change the culture and ethos around death and funerals in general, should not be understated.
If you are reading this review because you find yourselves in the unimaginable situation of having to make the final arrangements for someone you love, and you are wondering whether to use A Natural Undertaking: please don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. Fran enabled me to turn my vision for Andy’s perfect send-off into reality and I will be forever grateful.
Her emotional support throughout the whole process was unwavering. My daughter travelled next to her husband on his last journey in the non traditional white Nissan with Fran driving and supporting. It was a beautiful funeral remarked on by all who attended.
A Natural Undertaking is a breath of fresh air in an industry stifled by tradition and convention. Their ethical and environmental credentials are impeccable and I cannot praise them highly enough
Thank you, Carrie.
Callum had a send off he would have himself chosen. What an absolutely wonderful team.
Thank you so much!
From beginning to end, I felt supported and empowered in making the arrangements for my partner. Carrie in particular came up with some beautiful and brilliant suggestions for planning the funeral which made it the very special occasion it finally turned out to be. The whole thing worked wonderfully well and I felt it turned into a pitch perfect tribute to my partner, which I think she would have greatly appreciated.
The feed back I have been getting from many who attended and some who watched remotely has been universally complementary, many saying it's the best funeral they have ever attended! Very highly recommended.
We were so pleased with Dad’s services. Ruth was the celebrant at the crematorium and she told Dad’s story with passion, as if she had known the family her whole life.
I would strongly recommend a Natural Undertaking to any friends and family. Thank you.
The Celebration of Life for my husband, Simon, was as perfect as it could have been. That was down to A Natural Undertaking. They took care of my husband, and they took care of me too.
My thanks to Fran, Kerri, Carrie and the team.
Chris Maciel (wife)
I lost my partner & we have a 3 month old baby together.
Fran knew I wanted his funeral to be very special and different. I had so many questions and requests and she held my hand every step of the way, nothing was too much. She made me feel like part of her family & I will be forever grateful that she helped me through the hardest experience of my life and made such a special send off for my man.
She brought so many ideas to the table, it didn’t feel feel like a funeral, it felt like a magical send off & she lead over 200 motorbikes to the crematorium.
Thank you so much Fran & the team, if I could give more than 5 stars, I’d give you 1000
Suzy was easy to contact and responded very quickly to any queries. We chose a white electric hearse which was obviously quiet and reverential.
We felt fully supported throughout the whole process and could not have asked for anything more. Thank you so much for offering such a vital service with such compassion at a time when people so need your support.
You went above and beyond to make sure it was perfect for mum. I can’t thank you enough for the care you showed for our autistic sister.
I can’t recommend a natural undertaking enough, arranging a service is so emotional but was made easier by all of you.
Mum would have been proud of everything we were able to do for her.
Thank you so much.
The communication between Suzie, Westall Park, the celebrant Jess and the flowers from Carole at the Tuckshop was wonderful and I felt very relaxed about the day.
I cannot thank the team enough 🙏🏻
Sarah Knight
For both occasions they provided a friendly, compassionate service to help create a celebration of a person's life. They help you understand the options and provide the information you need to create the service you wish to make for your loved one. They are always on hand if you need to make changes or ask questions. I thank Carrie, Roxy, Fran and the rest of their team for all they did for my parents. I would not hesitate to recommend them.
In such a difficult time it was lovely to find such professional and caring people.
Carrie & Fran listened to our wishes and did exactly what we wanted. They found us David the lovely vicar, who, also was caring and compassionate.
After, everyone commented on how smooth things went, and how the day was memorable.
This was an indication of how good a natural undertaking are, and, it gave us comfort to know that we made the right decision in choosing them.
Highly recommended. Five Stars
When our mum died, we didn't want a typical funeral. We didn't know what we wanted, but the cliche "celebration of life" was closer to what we wanted than anything else.
Carrie was absolutely amazing. We knew straight away we wanted them after the initial sympathetic conversation.
Carrie is so loving, passionate, caring and helpful. Nothing is too much, she does so much and makes it all look effortless.
She told us we could have whatever we wanted and she helped us give our mum a loving and simple ceremony, with personal touches our mum would have loved, that involved and included all the people she cared about and who cared about her.
Carrie feels more like a friend or a member of the family. She is a beautiful person with a heart of gold, knowledgable and so good at what she does.
Thank you so much Carrie and your fabulous team!
Tania & Helen


Would recommend them to anyone that should ever have the misfortune of needing them. They genuinely turn a horrible situation into the event the deceased would want it to be.




I hope that I never need to, but if I need to arrange a funeral again, I won't hesitate to give them a call.



Our family had an idea of what we wanted for Holly's funeral and everyone at A Natural Undertaking helped guide us with her wishes.
Holly wanted a natural burial and it was in her quirky nature to have a creative and diverse farewell which is exactly what she got.
Death and grief is extremely hard especially when a loved one is so young. We felt like we had an opportunity to help others through this process as a result of everything they had to offer us. Our family, our children & friends were all involved (as per our wishes) thanks to the huge effort and organisation of these wonderful people at A Natural Burial.
Thank you so much for everything you did for Holly and family. We will hold you in our hearts forever x


From the start to finish the care, kindness and attention to detail was second to non.
We were given help and support with all the arrangements and we felt that the stress, of loosing a loved one so suddenly, had been taken off our shoulders.
They helped to turn the day into a wonderful tribute to Joan.
We would highly recommend this wonderful service!

Fran and Carrie advised and guided us through both the process and the decisions that we needed to make for my father’s funeral with thought and understanding. They advised us what was possible and made constructive suggestions without pressure. They then calmly undertook the organisation of the service itself with calm efficiency despite late inputs from ourselves. The resulting service was both personal and appropriate to say goodbye to my father from myself, our family and his friends.
I was specifically appreciated that Carrie found time to discuss in general the workings of the undertaking business which one at other times have little time or inclination to investigate. It certainly helped me during this time.
I whole heartedly recommend this company.


Their attention to detail and having everything covered was such a massive weight off the family’s shoulders. We felt completely held. It seems strange to write this but they were a breath of fresh air to what is in essence is a very difficult time. Thank you so much Carrie and Frances - just like Swans gliding through water, you made a very difficult time seem like a heart centred natural undertaking. K Mann



