Funeral photography is not something every family considers — and it is not right for everyone. But for many families, having a photographer present becomes one of the most treasured records of a day spent honouring someone deeply loved.
A growing practice in the UK
Photographing the dead has a longer history in Britain than many people realise. Victorian post-mortem photography — formal portraits taken after death, often as the only photograph a family would ever have of the person — was common in the nineteenth century. The practice fell away as photography became affordable and ubiquitous, but a quieter tradition has re-emerged: photographers present not in the mortuary, but at the funeral itself, capturing the gathering, the flowers, the faces of those who came.
Funeral photography is now more openly discussed in the UK, particularly among families who have used it and found it valuable. It is not yet standard — but it is no longer unusual.
Is it right for you?
For some people, the funeral is something to move through as gently as possible. For others, having the day recorded is part of the grieving process — a way of holding onto the final goodbye and revisiting it in quieter times. Neither response is wrong. It is a decision for the family to make together, and one worth thinking about calmly before the day arrives rather than in the immediate aftermath of a death.
Finding the right photographer
If you decide that photography feels right, the most important quality to look for is discretion. You need someone who understands the weight of the occasion and can be present without being intrusive. Your funeral director will likely have contacts who specialise in this area. Before the day, take time to meet with the photographer, discuss what the family is hoping for, and be clear about any moments that matter — and any that should not be captured.
Ask the photographer to follow the dress code of the mourners. Request that they avoid using flash during the ceremony — most venues have sufficient light, and flash is disruptive. They should dress in keeping with the rest of those attending and keep their presence as unobtrusive as possible. A good funeral photographer is barely noticed.
Letting guests know
It is considerate to let guests know in advance that a photographer will be present. A brief note in the order of service or the funeral notification is sufficient — something simple such as “Photography will be taken on behalf of the family.” This allows anyone with concerns to speak to you before the day, rather than being caught off guard.
What to photograph
The scope is entirely your decision. Some families ask for coverage of the whole day — the arrival of the hearse, the service, the graveside or crematorium, and the wake. Others want only a few quiet images: the flowers, the order of service on the pew, the faces of the people who came. There is no standard approach. Tell the photographer what matters to you, and let them work within those boundaries.
Reviewing the images
After the service, arrange a session with the photographer to go through the images before any decisions are made about what to keep or share. What feels difficult to look at immediately may feel quite different in time. The photographer works for you and will respect your wishes entirely. Many families find that, months later, they are grateful for images they were initially uncertain about.
How the photographs can be used
Photographs taken at the funeral — alongside those gathered from earlier in the person’s life — can be incorporated into a bespoke order of service or memorial card, creating a lasting printed keepsake for family and friends. Some families also create a private digital gallery to share with those who could not attend. Others frame a single image from the day as a quiet memorial at home.
Whatever you decide to do with them, photographs of the funeral are a record of the love that was present in the room — and that is not nothing.
Preserving older family photographs
Even if you decide against having a photographer at the funeral itself, gathering and preserving existing family photographs is one of the most worthwhile things you can do in the weeks before and after a death. Old prints fade, curl and become brittle; negatives deteriorate. Scanning them — even with a phone, held flat in good light against a plain surface — creates a digital copy that can be reproduced indefinitely.
A high-street print shop can scan loose photographs and slides to a high standard if you do not have a scanner at home, and the cost is modest. It is worth doing this sooner rather than later. The longer old prints are left, particularly in boxes or albums in warm lofts, the further the image can degrade.
Photographs gathered for a slideshow or a memorial tribute can also be used in printed stationery — on the cover of an order of service, inside a memorial card, or as part of a small printed booklet produced after the service. Having a clean digital copy of the photographs that matter makes all of this considerably easier.
To talk about incorporating photographs into an order of service or memorial stationery, call us free on 0800 612 6484 or send us a message.
