While it is most common for funerals to be held during the week, it may be possible to pay your last respects and say goodbye to a loved one on a Saturday or Sunday, as well. Whether or not this will be an option will depend mostly on the type of service required, the availability of your chosen funeral director / parish and the budget you have set aside to pay for the funeral.
When does a funeral normally take place?
It’s most common to hold a funeral between one week and a fortnight after the death of the person in question. Some religious funerals require that the ceremony take place as soon as possible, potentially bringing it forward a few days, while situations which require an inquest from the coroner may be delayed for slightly longer.
Usually, the funeral itself will occur Monday to Friday, either as a morning or midday service. An early morning ceremony is an especially good time if money is a concern, since time slots from 12pm onwards are generally the most in-demand and therefore the most expensive. However, the date and time you choose should be dictated by what’s most convenient for you and your family members (and which coincides with the availability of your funeral director and/or parish), and you shouldn’t feel the need to hold a midweek service just because it’s common practice.
Things to consider for a weekend funeral
While not all parishes or funeral directors will accommodate a weekend funeral, many now do. A Saturday morning service can be especially beneficial if many people need to travel from out of town to make it, as it will minimise the time off work required. Typically, a Saturday (or Bank Holiday) funeral will cost in the region of £500 to £1,000 more than a midweek service, since those involved often charge higher rates for working at the weekend.
There is no explicit Christian scripture which prohibits church funerals from taking place on a Sunday, but you may find that your local parish or funeral director does not offer this option due to the religious connotations attached to the Sabbath. Regarded as a day of rest during which nothing should interrupt worship of God, the sadness of a funeral can seem incongruous to many and as such, it could be that Sunday is not an option.
Of course, the availability of a Saturday (and indeed Sunday) funeral will depend on your own religion, location and unique circumstances. At Your Funeral Choice, we’re happy to dispense free, impartial advice about how to approach arrangements for the departure of your loved one. You can search for funeral directors in your area using our free tool.