Funerals can be expensive so remember to check where the money to pay for the costs will come from before making any arrangements. The deceased may have a pre-paid funeral plan. However, if the deceased does not have sufficient money in their estate to cover the cost of the arrangements, the person who organises the funeral will have to pay. If you are the one paying for the funeral and already getting certain social security benefits, you may also be able to get a payment from the Social Fund to help with the costs (please visit the Gov.uk web site for advice or visit your local jobcentre plus office.)

Friends, family, clergy or your doctor may be able to suggest local funeral directors with a good reputation for you to use. If not, most local firms are listed in the Yellow Pages. Remember, their charges can vary considerably and you may want to contact or visit more than one firm. Most funeral directors choose to join one of two trade associations but funeral directors do not have to be in a trade association to provide a service, so you may wish to check this first.

Both of the following trade associations have codes of practice and funeral directors who are members have to provide you with a price list when you ask, and will not increase any costs quoted to you without your permission.

National Association of Funeral Directors
National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors

If no one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the local council, or in some cases the health authority may do so, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged.

Council cemeteries and crematoriums in Surrey are run by the district and borough councils.

You will need to contact them to make arrangements for a burial or cremation. They may also be able to give you advice on alternative funeral arrangements.

Yell.co.uk provides listings of other cemeteries and crematoria in Surrey.