If someone dies a long way from where you live - elsewhere in the UK, or while you're abroad - it can feel impossible to arrange everything. In practice, most of it can now be done by phone, email and video call, with a funeral director doing the work on the ground.
Choose where the funeral will be
The first decision is where the funeral should take place: near where the person lived, near where most of the family lives, or somewhere that meant something to them. Everything else follows from that.
Choose a funeral director
You can use a funeral director near where the person died, or near where the funeral will be. Many funeral directors are used to working with families at a distance and will:
- collect the person and look after them
- move them to another part of the UK if the funeral will be elsewhere
- send you forms and quotes by email
- hold planning meetings by phone or video
Ask for their standard price list and a written quote by email, so you can compare. See questions to ask a funeral director.
Find a funeral director near where the person died
Registering the death
It's quickest to register the death at the register office in the area where the person died. If you can't get there, you can usually go to any register office in England or Wales and make a declaration instead - they'll pass the details on. It takes longer, so allow for that when setting a date for the funeral.
Someone else who's allowed to register - another relative, for example - may be able to do it locally instead. See how to register a death.
Things you can do from home
Tell Us Once
Report the death to most government departments by phone or online
Contact banks, pension providers and insurers
Most have bereavement teams you can deal with by phone and post
Plan the service
With the minister or celebrant by phone or video
Share the details
With family and friends by email or a messaging group
Moving the person to another part of the UK
Your funeral director can arrange this. If the death was reported to a coroner, the coroner's permission may be needed first. The cost depends on the distance, so ask for a quote.
If the person died abroad, see what to do when someone dies abroad.
If family can't travel to the funeral
Many crematoria and churches can livestream the service, and some can record it. Ask the funeral director when you're booking.
Reviewed by the Arranging a Funeral team - September 2026.
Common questions
Can I arrange a funeral if I live a long way away?
Yes. Most of it can be done by phone, email and video call, with a funeral director doing the work on the ground.
Do I have to register the death where the person died?
It's quickest there. If you can't get there, you can usually go to any register office in England or Wales and make a declaration, but it takes longer.
Can the person be moved to another part of the UK for the funeral?
Yes. Your funeral director can arrange it. The cost depends on the distance, and if a coroner was involved their permission may be needed first.
What if family can't travel to the funeral?
Many crematoria and churches can livestream the service, and some can record it. Ask when you book.