Choosing Your Own Funeral Director: A Thoughtful Step Toward Peace of Mind
- Fair Cost Funerals
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
Most of us make plans for the future, wills, savings, retirement, even holidays. But there’s one plan many people avoid talking about: who should take care of their funeral when the time comes.
It may sound like a sombre topic, but choosing your own funeral director in advance is actually one of the most considerate things you can do for your family. It relieves stress, avoids confusion, and ensures your farewell reflects your wishes. And if you live in or near Sheffield, there are trusted local options ready to guide you through the process, gently, and without pressure.
Why Choose Your Own Funeral Director in Advance?
Grief can make even the simplest decisions feel difficult. At a time when loved ones are already coping with loss, they may also be faced with urgent questions:
Which funeral director should we call?
What would Mum have wanted?
How do we know if we’re making the right choice?
By deciding these things in advance, you're giving your family one less burden to carry.
Here’s how choosing your own funeral director ahead of time can make a real difference:
Clarity for Your Family
Leaving behind a clear instruction—“Please contact Fair Cost Funerals in Sheffield”—saves your loved ones from the stress of searching online or asking around in a rush.
Confidence in the Quality of Care
When you choose your own funeral director, you get the chance to speak to them, ask questions, and ensure they align with your values. It’s your way of making sure you’ll be cared for in the way you’d want.
Personal Touches Are Easier to Honour
If you have specific wishes—a certain style of service, music, or even which route you'd like the hearse to take—a pre-selected director will already have your preferences in hand.
Whether you're in central Sheffield or a surrounding suburb like Hillsborough, Handsworth, or Woodseats, there are a few things to consider when choosing a funeral director:
Local knowledge: Are they familiar with Sheffield’s crematoriums, cemeteries, churches, and venues?
Transparent pricing: Can they explain their costs clearly, with no hidden surprises?
Warm, personal service: Do they treat you like a person, not just a customer?
Reputation: Have other local families had good experiences with them?
It’s okay to shop around a bit. In fact, we encourage it. Visit, call, or email a few different funeral directors and trust your instincts. You’ll know when you’ve found the right one.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred funeral director, it’s important to record that decision clearly—and in the right places.
Here’s how to make sure your family knows exactly who to call:
You don’t have to go into detail, but include a line such as:“I would like my funeral to be handled by Fair Cost Funerals, Sheffield.”
Have an open chat with close family or friends. Let them know who you’ve chosen, and why. It might feel like an awkward topic, but you’d be surprised how many people feel relieved that the decision’s already been made.
Keep a simple document with your will or personal paperwork titled “My Funeral Wishes.” Include your chosen funeral director, along with any preferences for the service, music, flowers, or readings.
Some local funeral directors—like us at Fair Cost Funerals—will happily keep a note of your preferences on file. That way, when the time comes, we’ll already know what matters to you.
What If You Change Your Mind Later?
That’s absolutely fine. Nothing is set in stone unless you’ve signed a prepaid funeral contract—and even then, there are ways to transfer or adjust it.
Your funeral is yours to shape. You can change your mind about the details—or the funeral director—at any time.
A Quiet Act of Kindness
Choosing your own funeral director is a quiet, practical act of love. It’s a way of saying to your family: “I’ve taken care of this, so you don’t have to worry.”
Here at Fair Cost Funerals, we’ve had the honour of supporting many Sheffield families through their most difficult moments. When someone has made their wishes known, we see the relief it brings—time and time again.
It’s not about control. It’s about care.
Thinking About It?
You don’t have to plan every detail. Even just noting down the name of your preferred funeral director can make a world of difference later.
If you’d like to talk about your options—without any pressure—our Sheffield team is always here. Whether you're considering a prepaid plan or simply want us to keep your name on file, we're happy to help.
Want to pop in for a chat?You’ll find us right here in Sheffield — open, honest, and always ready to help.
We hope this guide has been helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our friendly team here
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