That last touch - such a powerful moment. Sometimes, people feel unsure about what’s allowed or what’s appropriate at a funeral. It’s absolutely ok to touch the coffin, to let your hand linger as you say goodbye to your person. #funeralsmatter

The importance of a funeral ceremony - we need these rites of passage. #Funeralsmatter #Ceremoniesmatter

Dogs at funerals - we love to see them! When you’re saying goodbye to someone you love and a dog is part of your family, bringing them to the funeral can help everyone. #funerals #funeralsmatter #dogsarefamily

Direct cremation. Such interesting responses to our questionnaire are coming in, reflecting a wide spectrum of thoughts. Have you had this experience? Tell us about it here: goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-cremati… NAFD UK SAIF Association of Independent Celebrants (AOIC) The Cremation Society ICCM Humanists UK

Children at funerals. We’re big supporters of this. With careful preparation and conversations beforehand, children can definitely be part of the funeral of someone important in their lives. For advice and resources: Winston's Wish Child Bereavement UK The Good Grief Trust #funeralsmatter

Lowering a coffin. If you want to, you can do this. While this last act is often carried out by funeral staff, you have every right to lower the coffin of someone you love into their grave. Most burial authorities will be supportive - a few may not be, but times are changing.

Fully agree with Ways with Weirds from the The Green Funeral Company about the importance of funerals. #funeralsmatter

Traditional’ funerals. Our patron @zenithvirago has a take on this. And we agree. All so called ‘progressive’ funeral directors are the traditional ones, offering gentle, person-led communal services, led by the needs of bereaved people. Industrial funerals are not traditional

Thought for the day - another powerful insight from radical undertaker Ways with Weirds We think the role of a good funeral director is to help people be with the reality of death, to accompany you as you step into the presence of the absence - the great mystery of death.

This is a funeral. It is the funeral of the Amazing Guy, magician Thom Peterson, who died on March 8th 2023, aged just 58. So much love and thanks to Thom’s wife Anna for giving us permission to share these photos of Thom’s amazing and totally befitting funeral ❤️🖤

On today’s blog - some ideas about how to keep costs down when arranging a funeral. goodfuneralguide.co.uk/2025/06/funera…

Direct cremation. (AI generated image because direct cremation = nobody there to take photos) Just a reminder that we are gathering thoughts from people who have experienced someone choosing direct cremation - our questionnaire can be reached here: goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-cremati…

You don’t have to have flowers on a coffin. At a funeral ceremony, the coffin is the focal point, the centre of everyone’s attention. So why not make it unforgettably about the person who has died by decorating it in a way that is all about them? #funerals #funeralsmatter

Congratulations! This is a huge achievement!

Opting for a direct cremation from an online provider takes away the opportunity for your family and friends to be in the presence of your body for a ceremony of goodbye. It’s not the gift you might think it to be. Think carefully - is this really what you want?

Direct cremation. Many people have shared their thoughts with us, the majority explaining how they found this experience to be a difficult one. If someone close to you chose a direct cremation we’d love to hear from you - find the questionnaire here: goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-cremati…

Not wanting a funeral. This is the most common reason for people choosing a direct cremation, according to responses to our questionnaire. 45% say ‘The person specifically did not want a funeral ceremony’, with ‘not wanting a fuss’ second and ‘cost’ third. So interesting!

One thing that most people don’t realise is that, as yet, there is no regulator involved with funeral directing. This means that anybody can set up a funeral directing business. No matter what their background. Just pop ‘Richard Sage funeral director’ into your search engine!

Phase 2 report of the Fuller Inquiry has been published today, exposing the absence of protection given to people who have died. One of the many recommendations is urgent regulation of the funeral sector. Full report here. It will shock you. gov.uk/government/pub…

On today’s blog, a fascinating guest post from Glynis German, a celebrant and end of life doula living and working in Mallorca. goodfuneralguide.co.uk/2025/08/saying…