12/11/2025
Katie is passionate about death education. What she doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing. And what she does know is worth sharing 👇
There are so many myths about death, dying, and funerals and so many things we simply don’t know. These six things below are just some of the topics I often cover but that I have also covered in the last few days alone, and it’s only Wednesday!
🫶🏼 You can keep someone at home after they’ve died.
If a person dies at home, you don’t have to rush to call a funeral director. You can take your time, sit with them, wash or dress them if you wish, and say goodbye in your own way.
⚰️ You don’t have to use a coffin - a shroud is absolutely legal too and often more eco friendly. If you do want a coffin, it can be made from all sorts; cardboard, willow, wool, bamboo, or reclaimed wood.
🥂 You don’t have to have a traditional, formal funeral.
Some people choose a direct cremation, a home farewell, or a quiet moment with loved ones instead. There’s no law saying you must have a service. But it’s worth thinking about that fact that ritual and ceremony are very important to our grief.
🎩 You don’t have to use a funeral director. Families can handle everything themselves - from paperwork to transport - though many choose to have professional support. And also in the UK, we often have to wait weeks so another reason a Funeral Director can be helpful.
🌳 You can be buried in your back garden/private land. With the land owners permission, it’s absolutely possible.
🕉️ You can mix faith, culture, and creativity. Saying goodbye can look and feel however you want. You can have a blend of traditions, rituals, faith, food, laughter, and music if you wanted. You could have a priest and a Celebrant if that’s appropriate for your person.
The more we understand, the more choice we have and the more personal, fitting, respectful and appropriate our goodbyes can be ❤️
