Church funeral, reception, burial order

[WyfOfBathe]

My aunt passed away yesterday, very suddenly. My cousin (her only immediate family) has asked me to take the lead with 'admin', planning the funeral, etc as she doesn't feel able to.

I have made an appointment with a funeral director, but would like an idea of what to expect. The last time I went to a funeral I was about 6 years old.

My aunt would want a funeral in the church she attended. My cousin suggested a reception/wake in the church hall afterwards. Obviously my aunt also needs to be buried, probably in a cemetery about 10 mins from the church. What order do these things normally happen in?

Church, burial, wake is the usual order. Your funeral director will guide you though so don't worry.
Sorry for your loss.x

If you're having a church funeral you don't need long at all at the crematorium. You might want to invite everyone there or have the crematorium element family only. Others can go straight from church to reception.

A Church burial starts with a service in the Church, with the deceased present in her coffin, after which the funeral party and the priest or vicar follow the deceased to the graveside. Further prayers and said as the coffin is lowered into the ground.
The funeral is then over as far as the officiating body is concerned.
What happens afterwards is personal preference of either the deceased if he or she had already left instruction or the wishes of the family.
The funeral director will help you with everything.

IME service, burial, (if burial family only, others go to wake and family join afterwards), wake (or reception).

Why is cousin unable to take the lead with the planning?

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Try not to worry too much about the usual order of things. The funeral directors are well experienced at taking the strain and setting it all up and will guide you. Go in with a list of ideas to discuss. They will help.

The church service usually takes place first, followed by the burial out in the cemetery. There would be a short service ( a few prayers) at the graveside before the coffin is lowered.

Once that is over then you can proceed to the venue you have chosen for the wake.

The funeral directors will help you with just about everything, including contacting the church and the vicar.

Because she's grieving?

Is that a serious question?

At a guess, it is because she has just suddenly lost her mother and is grieving / very shocked.

She's still a student and has just lost her only parent.

Of course I will try and make the funeral how she wants it, but she's asked me for help.

Okay, sorry OP I was just curious why immediate family member couldn’t take the lead, I didn’t mean to imply anything!

When my mum died, funeral directors were very helpful and guided us through the whole thing - they will guide you through it all.

Hi previous Funeral arranger here.

They will talk you through everything. Its usually service at the Church or Crematorium then on to the burial. If you dont own a grave one will need to be purchased. If your aunt wished to be burried with a loved one (who is already interred) you will need deeds to the grave to open it up. Happy to answer any more questions x Good luck x