How Long After Death is a Funeral?

When a loved one passes away, it can be overwhelming to even think about planning the funeral date. If you’re wondering ‘how long after death is a funeral?’, it might help to know that it can vary depending on your circumstances.

In this post, we’ll outline the general guidelines about when funerals are held, so you can make the right choice for you.

Usually, the funeral is held between one to two weeks after death. However, in certain cases, it can be longer due to delays. Funerals can be delayed if there are availability issues with your preferred funeral director, place of worship or crematorium – or if there is an inquest into the death. These delays are typically resolved within a matter of weeks.

Family members may also decide to delay the funeral themselves, for example, to ensure family and friends have enough notice to plan their travel or book a day off work to attend the funeral.

Can you hold a funeral on a Saturday or Sunday?

Generally speaking, funerals are held on weekdays in the morning or afternoon. However, in most cases, you do have the option to arrange a funeral on a Saturday or Sunday, if required. Depending on the policy of your funeral director or crematorium, there may be an extra charge and less availability for a weekend funeral.

Planning a funeral date

As well as considering how long after death a funeral is typically held, you should also think about your own requirements before choosing a date. These include:

The travelling distance and work schedules of any family members or friends who want to attend
The religious beliefs of the deceased and their family, as some religions require burial within a few days or hours after death
Upcoming events, holidays or special occasions that may conflict with the funeral date

Choosing the right funeral date

At Jamieson Funerals, we understand that arranging times and dates for a loved one’s funeral can be a stressful experience. If you have any questions about how long the funeral process will take, how much it will cost, or want to discuss your requirements, our caring and responsive team are on hand to support you.

If you’d like to learn more about our funeral services in Bristol, don’t hesitate to contact us on 0117 956 4796.

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