How to Arrange a Funeral in Sunderland

Arranging a funeral can feel overwhelming, especially while you are grieving. This guide explains each step in Sunderland, from the first phone call to the day itself, and how our team supports you along the way.

When someone close to you dies, there is a lot to take in and many decisions to face. It is natural to feel unsure where to begin.

You do not need to have everything worked out before you speak to us. At Gavin J. Reynolds Family Funeral Directors, we guide families through each stage, one step at a time.

At a glance

Contact us at any time, day or night. You do not need to wait.
Register the death within 5 days of the medical examiner's confirmation.
Check whether the person who died had a funeral plan or insurance.
Meet your funeral director at one of our branches or at home.
Choose the kind of funeral and the details that matter to you.
Receive a written estimate before you make a decision.
On the day, we are by your side so you can focus on saying goodbye.

Step 1: Contact us whenever you are ready

You can contact us as soon as someone has died. You do not need to wait for the medical examiner, or for the death to be registered, before speaking with us.

We are here for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your call will always be answered by a member of our team, day or night.

If someone has died in hospital or a care home, we work directly with the staff on your behalf.

If someone has died at home, we will guide you through the steps that need to happen first. Either way, we liaise with the relevant professionals and bring your loved one into our care.

If someone has died abroad, our page on repatriation explains how we can help bring them home.

Step 2: Registering the death

Before the funeral can take place, the death needs to be registered. First, a doctor confirms the death and a medical examiner reviews the cause. The medical examiner is a senior doctor who was not involved in the person's care.

The medical examiner's office will contact you to explain the cause of death and answer any questions. Once they confirm you can register the death, you have 5 days to do so. This includes weekends and bank holidays.

Deaths in Sunderland are registered at Sunderland Register Office in City Hall, by appointment. Afterwards, you receive the certificate for burial or cremation, often called the green form.

Where the funeral is taking place in Sunderland, it may be sent directly to the council's Bereavement Service. We will explain what applies to you.

The registrar will also explain Tell Us Once. This service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

Sometimes a death is referred to the coroner. This does not necessarily mean a formal investigation will take place, but the process and timescales may be different. We will keep you informed and explain each step.

Step 3: Check whether any plans were made

It is worth checking whether the person who died made any arrangements for their funeral. This could include a prepaid funeral plan or a life insurance policy. GOV.UK suggests checking this with local funeral directors.

If you are not sure, ask us and we will help you look into it. You can find out more about prepaid funeral plans on our website.

Step 4: The arrangement meeting

The arrangement meeting happens at one of our branches or at your home, whichever suits you. Our branches are at 78 Sea Road, Fulwell and 205 Gleneagles Road, Grindon, and we arrange funerals across Sunderland and the surrounding areas.

One funeral director will guide you through the arrangements and remain your main point of contact throughout. We begin by talking about your loved one, your wishes and the kind of funeral you would like. You can meet the people who will look after you before you visit.

Our offices are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Appointments outside these hours, including weekends, can be arranged to suit your needs.

Where families sit to make the arrangements, at the Grindon branch — Where the arrangement meeting takes place.

Step 5: The choices you will make

There are several decisions to make, and we will talk you through each one. You do not need to decide everything at once.

Cremation or burial. Our pages on cremation, burial and green and woodland funerals explain the differences. Our guides to Sunderland Crematorium and South Shields Crematorium explain what to expect there.
The type of funeral. We offer The Simple Funeral and our Traditional Funerals: the Bronze, Silver and Gold Way. Our guide to funeral options shows what each one includes.
Attended or unattended. An attended funeral is one you come to. An Unattended Cremation takes place without a service attended by family or friends. A Family Walkthrough Funeral is a private opportunity to say goodbye at the crematorium, without a formal service.
Where and when. The timing depends on the necessary documents and any involvement from the coroner. We will explain the next steps and keep you informed.
The coffin. We offer a range of coffins, including cardboard, wool, traditional and solid oak options.
The vehicles. The options include our Jaguar hearse and limousines, a horse-drawn hearse, a Motorcycle Hearse and the Three-Wheeler Hearse. You can also discuss a preferred route for the journey.
Flowers or donations. Choose from our floral arrangements, or ask for charitable donations in memory of your loved one.
Music, readings and who leads the service. A minister, celebrant or family member can lead the service, depending on your wishes. If you would like to give a eulogy, our guide to writing a eulogy can help. It also covers what to do if you find it too difficult to read yourself.
The order of service. We can help you prepare, design and print an order of service that reflects your loved one's life.
The funeral notice. A funeral notice can share the funeral details, invite people to attend and give information about flowers or donations.
Children. Our guide to children and funerals can help you decide whether they would like to attend and find ways for them to take part.

For ideas on making the day personal to your family, see our page on personalised funerals.

Visiting your loved one

You are welcome to visit your loved one before the funeral. Visits are arranged by appointment at either branch, giving you private time together.

Some families find visiting the chapel of rest helpful, while others prefer not to. There is no right or wrong choice, and we will support whichever feels right for you.

Step 6: Understanding the cost

Funeral directors are legally required to publish a price list for their standard products and services. You can view our published prices, including our Standardised Price List, before your meeting. Our online estimate builder lets you explore the likely cost of the arrangements you have in mind.

We provide a clear written breakdown of the costs before you make a decision. It separates our professional charges from third-party fees, such as crematorium and cemetery fees, and you receive a copy for your records.

If cost is a worry, please talk to us. We are always happy to discuss costs openly and explain the financial support that may be available, without any pressure. Some families may be able to get help through the government's Funeral Expenses Payment.

Step 7: On the day

We will be by your side throughout the day. We guide you through each stage and make sure everything runs smoothly, so you and your family can focus on saying goodbye.

A funeral director carrying his top hat walks ahead of the Jaguar hearse — A funeral director walks ahead of our hearse as people line the street.

After the funeral

There are still things to think about after the funeral. If there has been a cremation, our guide to what to do with the ashes explains the options.

For a headstone or memorial, we work with Scott Memorials. Our page on memorials and headstones explains how to ask them for a quotation.

Grief affects everyone differently. Our page on coping with grief and bereavement points to support for you and your family.

We are here whenever you need us

Every family's circumstances are different, and we are always here to offer personal advice and support. You are welcome to contact us for advice and guidance, whether or not you have decided to use our services.

You can call either branch at any time, day or night, or send us a message. You can also find out more about us or read what families say about us.

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I contact a funeral director after someone dies?

Straight away. You do not need to wait for the medical examiner or for the death to be registered. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How long do I have to register a death in Sunderland?

You must register the death within 5 days of the medical examiner's office confirming you can, including weekends and bank holidays. If you need more time, you must tell the register office straight away.

Can the funeral take place before the death is registered?

Usually not. GOV.UK explains that the funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered, unless the death has been reported to a coroner.

How much does a funeral cost in Sunderland?

It depends on the type of funeral and the choices you make. Our prices are published on our website, and our estimate builder shows the likely cost before you speak to us. Crematorium or cemetery fees are paid on your behalf as third-party costs and shown separately on your estimate.

Can the arrangement meeting take place at home?

Yes. The meeting can happen at one of our branches in Fulwell or Grindon, or at your home, whichever suits you.

Can I visit my loved one before the funeral?

Yes. Visits to our chapel of rest are arranged by appointment at either branch, giving you private time together.

Do I have to use a funeral director?

No. GOV.UK confirms you can pay for a funeral director to arrange the funeral or arrange it yourself. A funeral director provides advice and support and takes care of the arrangements on your behalf.

The official information in this post was checked against GOV.UK guidance on 9 November 2026.

Fulwell is on 0191 548 7000 and Grindon on 0191 534 8000, any hour, any day of the year.