5 min read · Updated 27 September 2026
In this guide
- Service and venue decisions
- The coffin or casket
- Personalisation choices
- Media and memories
- Hospitality and travel
- Who does what on the day
Service and venue decisions
Decide whether the service will be held at a church, at the family home, at a hall or at the graveside, and who will lead it. Confirm the date and time with the venue and the officiant before announcing it widely.
Think about numbers. A funeral in Zimbabwe can draw a large crowd, and the venue, seating, tents and catering all depend on a realistic estimate.
The coffin or casket
Choose between a coffin and a casket, and the finish and lining. Your package sets the standard option; you can upgrade or choose a custom-made casket if the family wishes.
Also decide on the lace, the blanket and any personal items to be placed with your loved one.
Personalisation choices
Small details carry a lot of meaning: a memorial banner at the venue, a printed programme with photographs and a short life story, personalised coffin lace, or a grave marker designed for the family.
Agree the wording, the photographs and the spelling of every name early — these are the details that are hardest to change on the day.
Media and memories
Decide whether you want photography, videography or livestreaming, and who should receive the link. A memorial video or an online tribute page gives family and friends somewhere to share memories after the day itself.
Hospitality and travel
Plan how mourners will be fed at the home and after the burial, and whether refreshments are needed at the graveside. List the relatives who are travelling home, when they arrive, and whether they need transport or a travelling pack.
Who does what on the day
Name one family contact for DFS, one person to welcome and seat guests, and people for the eulogy, readings and the programme. Write it down and share it — on the day, nobody should have to guess.