How a funeral works, step by step

There is no need to hurry. This is not a situation anyone masters the way they master everyday things, and nobody expects you to either.

What happens first?

Two things, and we take care of the second one.

What can we think about before the meeting?

Nothing has to be decided. But if you have talked about these things within the family, the meeting will be calmer:

• When and where would you like the funeral to be held?
• Did the person who has died want to be cremated or buried, and were there other wishes?
• Is there a grave in the family, or would you like a new one?
• Should there be a death notice, and how should it look?
• Should the funeral be for close family and friends only, or should the time and place appear in the notice?
• Should there be a memorial reception afterwards, and how would you like it to be?

How long does the whole process take?

From the death to the burial it usually takes two to four weeks. It depends on the availability of the venue, the priest or officiant, the transport, and whether relatives have to travel far.

Under Swedish law cremation or burial must normally take place within one month of the death. We keep track of the dates, so that you do not have to watch the deadlines.

Source: the Swedish Tax Agency. Last checked 2026-08-13.

Can we prepare at home?

Yes, if you want to. You can go through the choices calmly and see what they cost before we meet, on the page about planning the funeral online. Nothing there is binding.

There is also a booklet from Sveriges Begravningsbyråers Förbund, the Swedish Funeral Directors Association, that answers the first questions. You can download it, order it free of charge from the association or pick it up from us.