10 things you may not know about funerals

1. A funeral can be held anywhere that will allow it.  Eg, at home, in a favourite venue, outside – no licences are needed.

2. No minister nor official person needs to be present – family and friends, perhaps with the help of a funeral celebrant, can hold the ceremony.

3. A funeral need not be a set religious or humanist ceremony, but can be whatever the family choose.

4. Most crematoria allow wicker, bamboo, banana leaf and cardboard coffins as long as the bottom is a piece of plywood.

5. You can decorate and personalise a coffin with water based paints or photographic transfers.

6. The coffin may be transported by the family to the funeral in their own vehicle or a hired vehicle – no formal hearse is needed.

7. The person who has died may be kept at home for some or all of the time between death and the funeral depending on circumstances – we can advise you on this.

8. Over 70% of funerals are cremations, less than 30% are burials. Woodland burials are around 1% and are growing in popularity.

9. A burial can be made at one of thirteen natural burial sites in Devon or on private land.

10. See behind the scenes – most crematoria will be pleased to let small groups visit and look behind the scenes to dispel the myths that surround them.

For answers to any of your questions about funerals or how we look after people who’ve died, call Paul and Birte at Heart & Soul Funerals on 01803 840779 or 01364 643522.

Find further information here about arranging a funeral.