After a Death in County Durham | Funeral Directors & Support | Funeral Directory

County Durham

Bereavement support & funeral directors

If someone has died in the County Durham area, this page will help you understand what to do next, find a trusted funeral director, and access free support tools.

What to do after a death

1

Register the death

This must be done within 5 days (8 in Scotland). Contact your local register office to book an appointment.

2

Choose a funeral director

Pick from vetted, NAFD-accredited directors in your area. They'll guide you through everything.

3

Arrange the funeral

Your funeral director will help plan the service, handle paperwork, and take care of practical details.

4

Sort out the estate

You may need probate. Use our free checker to find out, or speak to a specialist for advice.

Need more detail? Our step-by-step guides cover everything from costs to what happens on the day.

Funeral directors near County Durham

All NAFD-accredited with verified Google reviews

Co-op Funeralcare logo

1. Co-op Funeralcare

2.0 miles away

5
(4 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“They went above and beyond for my 3 year old daughter, they felt like family. They made her day perfect - we had bubbles from home to the crematorium coming out the hearse. The staff was amazing.” — janine d.

“Amy at Coop Crook took great care of Dad and always made sure we were greeted with a smile, kept up to date with the service and foremost made sure we were ok too. Wayne looked after our daughter when she passed and left a lovely touch on her plaque of bunnies, Wayne also did the same for Dad with a golfer on the plaque.” — David H.

Gibson's Funeral Services logo

2. Gibson's Funeral Services

3.2 miles away

5
(1 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation from £1700
Claire McMahon Claire McMahon Ian Pearth Ian Pearth

Meet Claire, Claire, Ian +21

“Claire on reception was most helpful when I rang to add a few things.” — Ann G.

“Victoria came out to see us and guided us through everything efficiently which was a great help.” — Ann G.

N Alderson Funeral Directors logo

3. N Alderson Funeral Directors

4.0 miles away

4.4
(7 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation
Chris Williams Chris Williams Chris Williams Chris Williams

Meet Chris, Chris, Chris +17

“Wonderful, kind, caring and courteous. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend.” — KLR1801

“You were flexible in terms of the date and very supportive and helpful in getting through the process to get the death certificate and the green form.” — JUDITH C.

4. N Alderson Funeral Directors

4.1 miles away

NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“Excellent service, lovely company to deal with. Thank you all so much for all your help and support — would highly recommend.” — Catherine R.

“Thank you for the care, compassion and understanding throughout.” — Lynsey H.

Gordon Fletcher & Sons Funeral Directors logo

5. Gordon Fletcher & Sons Funeral Directors

4.9 miles away

5
(41 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation from £1700
Adam Trees Adam Trees Adam Trees Andrew Trees

Meet Adam, Adam, Adam +30

“Excellent service from Michael from start to finish. He explained everything very well and listened to what we wanted as a family. He showed great empathy and compassion at a difficult time for us all.” — Chelle D.

“He gave us good guidance throughout and helped to make our Dad's funeral exactly the one we wished for. They were helpful and kind, ensuring that my sister's disabled partner was assisted at all times. I would thoroughly recommend Gordon Fletcher and Sons and in particular Adam.” — Jacqui D.

Co-op Funeralcare logo

6. Co-op Funeralcare

4.9 miles away

5
(6 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“Professional service. Listened carefully to the situation and offered information clearly and at a pace I could comprehend. Information was backed up with an email and helpful leaflets.” — Beverly S.

“Julie helped us from start to finish. The whole day went so smoothly. I think myself and 2 brothers would all recommend Co-Op Funeralcare, Spennymoor.” — Pam J.

Gibson's Funeral Services logo

7. Gibson's Funeral Services

5.6 miles away

5
(73 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation from £1700
Claire McMahon Claire McMahon Claire McMahon Ian Pearth

Meet Claire, Claire, Claire +35

“They gave us confidence that everything was taken care of and carried us along in their capable hands, making sure that our most difficult of days ended up being ones we can look back on with fondness.” — Brigit K.

“Gibson's is a personal model — they provided me with a single contact point throughout and provided ready solutions to problems. They made a difficult time easier and I cannot recommend them enough.” — Ellie A.

Co-op Funeralcare logo

8. Co-op Funeralcare

6.1 miles away

5
(3 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“Excellent service from start to finish, very professional and caring staff, nothing a problem for them. Very impressed with the service and consideration we received at a very difficult time.” — Frank T.

“From our 1st meeting Gary was patient, compassionate and clear about all the arrangements and cost. On the day of the funeral the team was professional, calm and respectful, ensuring everything ran smoothly. They gave our Dad a beautiful and dignified send-off, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend their services to others.” — Wendy C.

Framwellgate Moor Funeralcare logo

9. Framwellgate Moor Funeralcare

6.2 miles away

5
(5 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“Absolutely brilliant service from Coop Funeral Directors at Framwellgate Moor.” — Michelle C.

“Thank you so much for your care and compassion.” — Ruth B.

Co-op Funeralcare logo

10. Co-op Funeralcare

6.5 miles away

4.6
(13 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“They do a fantastic job. Over and above everything that is needed. They left us not needing to do much at all.” — Rita

“Julie at Bishop Auckland office was very professional and caring, she made a difficult time a little better for me and sorted everything that I wanted for my partner.” — Julie N.

Co-op Funeralcare logo

11. Co-op Funeralcare

6.8 miles away

5
(2 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“Helpful caring friendly staff.” — Jim B.

Read 2 reviews
Co-op Funeralcare logo

12. Co-op Funeralcare

6.8 miles away

5
(11 reviews)
NAFD Verified
Burial Cremation

“An excellent service delivered by the staff at Ferryhill Funeralcare. No problem was an issue and the whole process was tailored to my needs and wishes. I cannot express my gratitude enough, thank you Julie, Claire and Helen.” — Steve K.

“What an amazing team of ladies that work in co op funeralcare in Ferryhill - so much empathy and professionalism, well done ladies thank you for being so kind.” — Haydn K.

Free tools

Work things out at your own pace

No pressure, no sales — just simple tools to help you understand costs and next steps.

Towns and cities in County Durham

What families are saying

Real 5-star reviews from Google, updated regularly

    5

    Brilliant service, nothing was to much trouble from the start, nicola was amazing and very helpful, the 2 women I had with me when dressing my mum were so informative and and supp…

    …
    Toni Adams via Google
    in the last week
    5

    Very grateful for the good service provided by Rosedale, they were friendly and professional to deal with at a difficult time.

    …
    RICHARD WOOLSEY via Google
    5

    At a difficult time for us, we found the meticulous, caring service from all the staff at A W Lymn very comforting. Their advice on all aspects of the funeral was very professiona…

    …
    Roger Aubrook via Google
    5

    Everybody I/we came into contact with was professional , compassionate and understanding. You should be proud of your team!

    …
    Alan Preece via Google
    in the last week
    5

    Thank you so very much, Faye for all your support and compassion. From the beginning to the end, I felt in safe hands through such a very vulnerable and difficult time in my life …

    …
    Julia Simpson via Google
    5

    I would like to thank Ashley Barlow, April Catterall and the team for looking after me and my family after the passing of my dad. You treated us like your own family with the up m…

    …
    John via Google
    5

    Chris and his team were amazing when both my parents passed away in March within 3 weeks of each other. We opted for pure cremations and all our family were so touched with the wa…

    …
    Bob Paton via Google
    5

    The service from the very start to the very end was absolutely fantastic. The level of compassion & care when organising my mothers funeral arrangements was amazing . Nothing was …

    …
    Mark Stuart via Google
    3 weeks ago
    5

    We honestly cannot thank the funeral home enough for the care, kindness and compassion they showed us during such an incredibly difficult time following the loss of our beautiful …

    …
    Charlotte Hepworth via Google
    5

    I want to say that this company is fantastic. Every member of staff, are caring, full of compassion, and kind. Last year we lost Steve. It was hard but they were so supportive, …

    …
    Adam Parsons via Google