Funeral home or self-organisation: which to choose?

The two options: funeral home or personal organisation

In Switzerland, you have a choice between two approaches to organising a funeral: using a professional funeral home or managing the funeral yourself.

The first option entrusts all the procedures to a specialised provider who coordinates all the technical, administrative and logistical aspects. The second consists of taking personal charge of the organisation, which Swiss legislation fully authorises.

Both approaches are legitimate and respond to different needs depending on your family situation, your budget and your emotional capacity at the time. Neither is intrinsically better than the other.

Comparative table: costs, responsibilities and procedures

Here is a summary comparison of the two options:

• Average costs: CHF 5,000-15,000 via funeral home / CHF 2,000-5,000 with self-organisation
• Administrative responsibilities: Delegated to the professional / Entirely your responsibility
• Logistical management: Coordinated by the company / To be organised yourself
• Timescales: Smooth process / May take longer
• Stress level: Reduced / High during bereavement
• Personalisation: Variable depending on the provider / Total control

For more details on costs, consult our guide on funeral prices in Switzerland.

Organising a funeral yourself: advantages and challenges

Personal organisation of funerals represents an alternative increasingly considered by Swiss families. This approach involves directly managing all aspects of the funeral, from the declaration of death to the final ceremony.

This option requires significant involvement but offers total control over the process. Before embarking on this, carefully weigh up the advantages and constraints.

The advantages of personal organisation

Self-organisation presents several significant benefits:

Substantial savings: You can reduce costs by 50 to 70% by avoiding commercial margins and choosing your providers directly.

Total control: Every decision is yours, from the smallest details to the general direction of the ceremony. You create a truly personalised ceremony that reflects the wishes of the deceased.

Cost transparency: You know exactly where every franc spent goes. Family involvement can also have a therapeutic dimension by giving active meaning to grief.

Challenges and constraints to anticipate

Personal organisation also involves significant challenges:

High mental burden: Managing logistics during bereavement represents a considerable emotional weight. You assume full legal responsibility and must master the mandatory administrative procedures.

Complex coordination: Transport of the body, booking the crematorium or cemetery, equipment hire, coordination of participants... The logistics are demanding.

Risk of errors: Without expertise, oversights or mistakes can occur. You must also have significant time availability at a time when time is often short.

Using a funeral home: what you need to know

Using a funeral home means delegating the organisation of the funeral to a professional in the sector. This option remains the most common in Switzerland for practical and emotional reasons.

The services offered by funeral homes cover the entire funeral process. Understanding their advantages and limitations helps you make an informed decision.

The benefits of professional support

Funeral homes offer several decisive advantages:

Complete support: All administrative and logistical procedures are handled by the professional. Their expertise in procedures avoids errors and guarantees compliance with legal deadlines.

Availability and support: Funeral homes are available 24/7 and provide valuable emotional support. Their established network of providers facilitates coordination.

Security: You benefit from professional guarantees and insurance. This time saving allows you to focus on your grief rather than on logistics.

Disadvantages to consider

Using a professional also has limitations:

Higher cost: The commercial margin significantly increases the total budget. You also have less direct control over certain aspects of the organisation.

Possible standardisation: Some companies offer relatively standardised services. Commercial pressure can sometimes be felt, and pricing transparency varies between providers.

Dependency: You depend on the availability and choices of the provider. To avoid disappointment, consult our guide on mistakes to avoid when choosing a funeral home.

In which cases is self-organisation relevant?

Personal organisation of funerals is particularly suitable in certain situations:

Limited budget: Significant financial constraints can justify self-organisation to achieve substantial savings.

Advanced personalisation: If you want a very specific or unconventional ceremony, personal organisation offers total freedom.

Family resources: A large and available family can share tasks effectively. Prior knowledge of the funeral sector greatly facilitates the process.

Simple funerals: A direct cremation or intimate ceremony are easier to organise yourself. Anticipation and advance preparation (funerals planned during one's lifetime) also allow better organisation.

Recommendations according to your situation

The choice between a funeral home and personal organisation depends on your specific context. Here are recommendations according to different profiles to help you identify the option most suited to your situation.

Every family is unique, and there is no universal solution. Honestly assess your capabilities, your resources and your priorities before deciding.

Choose a funeral home if...

Using a professional is recommended in these situations:

• You are alone or in a small family group without available support
• You lack time or energy to manage the logistics
• The death is sudden and unexpected, with no possible preparation
• You do not know the mandatory legal procedures
• You want a traditional ceremony with established protocol
• You prefer to delegate in order to focus on your grief

Consult our guide on how to choose a funeral home or explore our funeral homes directory.

Consider self-organisation if...

Personal organisation may be appropriate if:

• You have a solid family network, available and motivated
• You have significant budget constraints requiring savings
• You want a highly personalised or alternative ceremony
• You or a loved one are familiar with funeral procedures
• You are emotionally capable of managing the logistics
• You have anticipated and planned the funeral in advance

In all cases, ensure you have the necessary support and a clear understanding of legal obligations before embarking on this.

The hybrid solution: partial delegation

A third way exists: combining self-organisation with occasional professional help. This hybrid approach offers an interesting balance between control, savings and professional support.

You can manage certain aspects yourself such as the ceremony, announcements or decoration, whilst delegating complex technical aspects: transport of the body, mandatory administrative procedures, coordination with the crematorium.

Some funeral homes offer à la carte services suited to this approach. You choose only the services you need, without a complete package.

This solution often represents a good compromise for families who wish to control their budget and personalise the ceremony without assuming the entire logistical burden alone.

Wolky's role in your process

Whichever option you choose, Wolky supports you with complementary digital tools.

Accessible obituaries: Publish an online obituary for CHF 180, compared to CHF 800 to 2,000 in the traditional press. A simple and economical way to inform those around you.

Funeral homes directory: If you decide to use a professional, our directory helps you find a funeral home suited to your needs.

Memorial pages: Create a digital memory space to honour the deceased and share photos and anecdotes with your loved ones.

Wolky is not a funeral home but a digital infrastructure that facilitates communication and remembrance. Publish your obituary in a few minutes.

The choice between a funeral home and personal organisation depends above all on your situation, your resources and your emotional state. If you have the time, knowledge and necessary support, self-organisation can represent a significant saving and a deeply personal approach. However, professional support remains essential when the logistical complexity or emotional burden becomes too heavy.

The hybrid solution offers an interesting compromise: delegate the technical aspects whilst retaining control over symbolic choices. Whatever your decision, Wolky supports you in your process by offering you an accessible platform to publish an obituary for CHF 180, create a memorial page and find trusted funeral homes near you. Because honouring the memory of a loved one should never be an ordeal.