Funeral customs by faith and belief
Every tradition honours the dead differently. Find out what to expect, what to wear and how to arrange a funeral that respects the beliefs of the person who died.
World faiths
Muslim funerals
Burial only · As soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours
Jewish funerals
Burial (cremation accepted in Reform and Liberal communities) · As soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours; not on Shabbat or festivals
Hindu funerals
Cremation (infants and some holy people may be buried) · As soon as possible — traditionally within a day, in the UK often within a week
Sikh funerals
Cremation (burial is accepted where cremation is not possible) · As soon as practical — often within a few days in the UK
Buddhist funerals
Usually cremation; burial is also acceptable · Varies — some traditions leave the body undisturbed for a time after death
Jain funerals
Cremation · As soon as possible
Bahá’í funerals
Burial (cremation is not permitted) · No fixed time; burial within an hour’s journey of the place of death
Zoroastrian (Parsi) funerals
In the UK: burial or cremation · Prompt — rites run over the first four days
Christian traditions
Catholic funerals
Burial preferred; cremation permitted · Usually within one to three weeks in the UK
Church of England funerals
Burial or cremation · Usually two to four weeks in the UK
Church of Scotland & Presbyterian funerals
Burial or cremation · Usually within one to two weeks in Scotland
Methodist funerals
Burial or cremation · Usually two to three weeks in the UK
Baptist funerals
Burial or cremation · Usually two to three weeks in the UK
Orthodox Christian funerals
Burial (cremation is traditionally not permitted) · Usually within a week or two in the UK
Pentecostal, Evangelical & homegoing funerals
Burial usually preferred; cremation accepted · Often two to four weeks or more, allowing family to travel
Quaker funerals
Burial or cremation · Varies
Jehovah’s Witness funerals
Burial or cremation (personal choice) · Varies
Christian funerals
Burial or cremation (Orthodox: burial) · Usually two to three weeks in the UK
Non-religious & other beliefs
Cultural funeral traditions in the UK
Nigerian funerals in the UK
Nigerian funerals in the UK: Yoruba, Igbo and other customs, Christian and Muslim rites, aso ebi, why funerals are held weeks later, and repatriation.
Ghanaian funerals in the UK
Ghanaian funerals in the UK: the one-week celebration, why funerals are held weeks later on a Saturday, red, black and white cloth, costs and repatriation.
Caribbean funerals in the UK
Caribbean funerals in the UK: Nine Night, homegoing services, gospel music, mourners filling the grave, why funerals are weeks later, costs and repatriation.
Irish funerals and wakes
Irish funerals and wakes explained: wakes at home, the rosary, removal and funeral Mass, month's mind, Northern Ireland customs and bringing someone home.
Polish funerals in the UK
Polish funerals in the UK: Catholic funeral Mass, burial and cremation, the stypa meal, candles, All Saints' Day and Zaduszki, and repatriation to Poland.
Chinese funerals in the UK
Chinese funerals in the UK: Buddhist, Taoist and Christian customs, white and black clothing, joss paper, auspicious dates, white envelopes and planning tips.
Greek Cypriot funerals in the UK
Greek Cypriot funerals in the UK: Greek Orthodox rites, the Trisagion, open coffin and final kiss, burial, koliva, the 40-day memorial and mourning customs.
Somali funerals in the UK
Somali funerals in the UK: Islamic washing, shrouding and janazah prayer, fast burial, tacsi condolence visits, mourning, community support and repatriation.
Gypsy and Traveller funerals
Gypsy and Traveller funerals explained: Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller wakes, large gatherings, floral tributes, burial, headstones and cemetery rules.
At a glance: funeral customs compared
| Faith / belief | Burial or cremation | Timing | Key rite | Mourning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim | Burial only | As soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours | Ghusl, kafan and Salat al-Janazah | Three days for family; iddah of 4 months 10 days for a widow |
| Jewish | Burial (cremation accepted in Reform and Liberal communities) | As soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours; not on Shabbat or festivals | Tahara, keriah and the Mourner’s Kaddish | Shiva (7 days), shloshim (30 days), Kaddish for 11 months for a parent |
| Hindu | Cremation (infants and some holy people may be buried) | As soon as possible — traditionally within a day, in the UK often within a week | Antyesti; the chief mourner leads the cremation rites | Around 13 days, ending with shraddha rites; first-year observances |
| Sikh | Cremation (burial is accepted where cremation is not possible) | As soon as practical — often within a few days in the UK | Antam Sanskar with Kirtan Sohila and Ardas | Sahaj Paath over about ten days, ending with Bhog |
| Buddhist | Usually cremation; burial is also acceptable | Varies — some traditions leave the body undisturbed for a time after death | Chanting, reflection and merit-making (dana) | Ceremonies often on the 7th day and up to the 49th day |
| Catholic | Burial preferred; cremation permitted | Usually within one to three weeks in the UK | Vigil, Requiem Mass and rite of committal | Month’s Mind Mass about a month later; anniversary Masses |
| Church of England | Burial or cremation | Usually two to four weeks in the UK | Common Worship funeral service with commendation and committal | No set period; memorial services and All Souls’ commemorations |
| Church of Scotland & Presbyterian | Burial or cremation | Usually within one to two weeks in Scotland | Minister-led service; cord-bearers at the graveside | No fixed period |
| Methodist | Burial or cremation | Usually two to three weeks in the UK | Service of thanksgiving with hymns, readings and commendation | No fixed period |
| Baptist | Burial or cremation | Usually two to three weeks in the UK | Service of thanksgiving with sermon | No fixed period |
| Orthodox Christian | Burial (cremation is traditionally not permitted) | Usually within a week or two in the UK | Funeral service with open coffin; the last kiss | Memorials on the 3rd, 9th and 40th days and after one year |
| Pentecostal & Evangelical | Burial usually preferred; cremation accepted | Often two to four weeks or more, allowing family to travel | Homegoing service with worship, testimonies and preaching | Varies — e.g. nine-night gatherings in Caribbean tradition |
| Quaker | Burial or cremation | Varies | Meeting for worship held largely in silence | No fixed period; a memorial meeting may be held later |
| Jehovah’s Witness | Burial or cremation (personal choice) | Varies | Memorial talk by a congregation elder | No formal rituals |
| Christian | Burial or cremation (Orthodox: burial) | Usually two to three weeks in the UK | Service with readings, prayers, commendation and committal | Varies by denomination and culture |
| Jain | Cremation | As soon as possible | Navkar Mantra and simple cremation rites | Short and restrained |
| Bahá’í | Burial (cremation is not permitted) | No fixed time; burial within an hour’s journey of the place of death | Prayer for the Dead | No fixed period |
| Zoroastrian | In the UK: burial or cremation | Prompt — rites run over the first four days | Geh-sarna prayers; Uthamna on the third day | Four days of rites, then monthly and annual ceremonies |
| Humanist | Burial, cremation or natural burial | Flexible | Celebrant-led celebration of the person’s life | No set period |
| Non-religious & civil | Burial, cremation, natural burial or direct cremation | Flexible | Celebrant- or family-led celebration of life | No set period |
| Pagan | Burial (often natural burial) or cremation | Flexible | Rite of passage marking the return to nature | Often remembered at Samhain |
Practice varies between communities and families. Always ask the family or their faith leader.