The funeral does not have to take place in the area that the person died. The body does not have to be buried in a Cemetery, it is possible, where circumstances allow, that the person can be buried within their own land, although certain criteria needs to be addressed before this can take place.

Occasionally arguments develop amongst families when arranging funerals and the first answer to this situation is that legally no one can claim ownership of a deceased person, you cannot 'own' a dead body.
Historically the immediate next of kin are the ones who take responsibility.

Have you considered having a non religious service? Today, there are many people who do not hold belief in any particular faith it may be considered hypocritical to some if the deceased were an athiest but received the blessings of a church at their funeral.

You may decide to make all the arrangements and carry out the funeral yourself without the involvement of a funeral director. This is perfectly acceptable and has been done with success. You will save money but, you will have to spend more of your own time ensuring all areas and legalities are dealt with.
If you need assistance with this you can email me via the email address on my home page.

All that remains is to make the arrangements personal to you and your family.

Other main things to consider are:
YOUR choice of coffin.
Do not be tempted to go for the more expensive ones just to impress people.
Whether anyone will wish to visit the deceased at the chapel of rest.
If the deceased will be dressed in their own clothes or one of the many choices of robe/shroud the funeral director can supply?
Would you want the decesed to be brought into your house overnight the day before the funeral perhaps?
The day and time YOU would prefer the funeral to take place.
Where the hearse and limousines (cortege) will leave from.
Would you like the funeral director to walk a short distance in front of the hearse?
Who is going to take the funeral service, a member of the clergy or someone else?
Would you wish for an order of service (service sheets) to be printed?
Would you or a family member want to pay a personal tribute at the funeral service by means of a reading?
What music would you wish to be played at the service?
Do you want to sing hymns? Would you prefer some modern music? A friend of mine, Frank, is more than happy to suggest appropriate music for funerals and can be contacted at frankridley@nasuwt.net
Do you, or anybody else wish to act as pall bearer to carry the deceased coffin?
If the deceased was ex-military personnel, would you like a tribute paid by a bugler or pipe band?
Where will you want to go after the funeral service?
Will you employ the services of a caterer in your home or at some other venue such as a hotel or public house?
Will you want an obituary notice placed in a local newspaper?
Would you like an acknowledgement placed in the same publication after the funeral?

It is highly possible that many of the above questions would never occur to you until they were asked. We could spend many hours discussing individual choice but inevitably, choices have to be made and if you don't decide someone else will meaning you may be disappointed on the day.

Please feel free to address any questions to the my email address on the home page.