Can you have a funeral without a body?

A funeral is a ceremony held for someone that has died. This ceremony typically includes the burial or cremation of someone’s body, but a body doesn’t have to be present for a funeral to happen. So, in short, yes, you can have a funeral without a body.

A funeral is a way of getting people together to celebrate or commemorate someone’s life. Without a body, certain aspects of the funeral will be different. For example, there won’t be a coffin for family or pallbearers to carry into the church or crematorium, but alternative arrangements can be made to plan around this.

Reasons for having a funeral without a body

There are many reasons why there may not be a body to bury or cremate at your loved one’s funeral.

Someone is presumed dead but there is no body to formally identify

There are unfortunate scenarios where your loved one is presumed dead, but their body cannot be retrieved. For example, if they are a serving soldier in a warzone, they were last seen at sea or at the sight of a natural disaster, or they didn’t come back from a planned expedition.

In these circumstances, you’ll be issued with a death certificate, and you’ll be free to start planning a funeral with your chosen funeral director. In absence of their body, you may decide to choose a photograph or a personal item to represent them at the funeral.

Someone who is missing

In the UK, a person isn’t declared dead just because they are missing. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a Declaration of Presumed Death. To support your application, you may need to provide certain documentation, such as a missing person report. This usually isn’t granted until 7 years have passed since they were last seen alive, contacted or there is digital proof of life, like accessing a bank account.

If there is clear evidence that someone has died, like a verified suicide note, you can apply for a Declaration of Presumed Death before 7 years have passed.

Someone cannot be repatriated

The cost of a body repatriation to the UK can cost anywhere between £2,500 to £20,000. The cost varies on a case-by-case basis, but factors such as embassy requirements and the length and total number of flights required can affect the cost.

If repatriation isn’t chosen under travel insurance cover, then the costs can quickly add up. Some families may not have the money needed to repatriate their loved one and will instead choose to repatriate their ashes, as this can be a cheaper and much simpler process. In this case, it would be natural for the family to hold a funeral without a body.

Someone has chosen a direct burial or cremation

Not every funeral includes a service that people can attend. If your loved one has chosen a direct burial or cremation, this means their body will be taken into the care of the funeral director and then buried or cremated without any mourners present. This allows family and friends the freedom to remember loved ones in their own way, in their own time.

Someone has donated their body to science

It’s important note the difference between someone donating their body to science and someone being a registered organ donor. If your loved one is a registered organ donor, their vital organs will be removed soon after death and their body will be returned to their family within a few days. Whereas if they have donated their body to science, their body will be kept at a medical facility for many years and may be cremated afterwards, depending on the option they have chosen.

If your loved one has decided to leave their body to science, there’s a good chance you’ll know about it advance. The process requires explicit written and witnessed permission before someone has died.

Ideas for holding funerals without a body

Funerals honour the memory of the dead but are held for the living. Saying goodbye to a loved one, whether their body is there or not, is never easy but it’s an essential part of the grieving process.

The idea of having a funeral without a body may be strange to some people. It redefines what we consider to be ‘normal’ when discussing funerals. What’s important is that your family chooses the option that is right for them, and not to be influenced what other people may think.

• Replace the coffin with a photograph or personal item: if an empty coffin feels strange, replace it with a photograph of a loved one or a personal item that embodies their spirit. For example, if they were a keen hiker, a pair of walking boots.
• Hold a memorial, not a funeral: changing the name of the ceremony will help to redefine expectations of those who are going to attend.
• Hold a service where they were last seen: holding a service where they were last seen alive may help bring people closer to your loved one. If this is too upsetting or not feasible geographically, why not hold a memorial service in their favourite place.
• Explain your choice: funeral invitations are a way of managing expectations for the day – from dress code to what time the service starts. You could take this chance to explain to people why it’s important to you and your family that you have a funeral even though there isn’t a body.
• Explain your loved one’s choice: if your loved one chose to have a direct burial or cremation, help people understand by explaining the reasons why they did this.
• Treat the service like a traditional funeral: you can still have the traditional elements of a funeral without a body. Things like a eulogy, readings, poems, music and a wake can all still form an important part of the day.

If you have more questions about holding a funeral or memorial service without a body, speak to your local funeral director.