This may be simply discussing with members of your family and recording your preferences or you may wish to put in place more formal arrangements with the help of a funeral director.

You should consider the likely cost of your funeral and think about setting up a pre-paid funeral plan.

We recommend putting in writing your preferences for a funeral and ensuring your relatives or next of kin know. Key decisions to be considered include:

• Whether you wish to be cremated or buried
• What type of coffin and, if cremated, casket
• What style of funeral you would like – traditional or ‘alternative’; religious or not
• Choice of music and hymns, prayers and poems, flowers and candles, charity for any donations
• Would you like a small family funeral and a separate memorial service
• What sort of wake or social get together you think would be appropriate