The Church of England is supporting the Dying Matters Awareness Week.The Church is a member of the Dying Matters coalition working to change public attitudes and behaviours towards death and bereavement.
The Bishop of Rochester, the Right Reverend James Langstaff said it was important that people do not feel afraid to talk about death and funerals.
Bishop Langstaff, who chairs the Churches Funeral Group, said this week was an opportunity to "think about how we approach the prospect of our own death and that of those closest to us".
"People often prefer not to think or talk about death, but it is something that we all have to face and that is best done honestly and openly," he said.
"It is good and healthy to talk about these things together."
Recent statistics from the Church of England revealed its clergy are performing more than 3,000 funerals each week.
The bishop said parish clergy across the country were "ready to share this journey" with local people, Christian and non-Christian alike.
He said: "We believe that our Christian faith helps people both to live well and to die well – it offers a message of hope as we face the realities of our mortality. A Christian funeral service - whether in church or at a crematorium - is an opportunity to give thanks for a person's life and commend them to God with hope and prayer. Thinking ahead about such a service for yourself or a loved one is a good and positive thing to do."
The Reverend Dr Sandra Millar, the Archbishops' Council's head of projects and developments also suggested people think ahead of time about the kind of send off they would like for themselves and their loved ones.
She encouraged people to talk to their local vicar.
"It's really strange that although death is the one certainty for all of us, we are so wary of talking about it. But Dying Matters Awareness Week reminds us that talking about it is helpful, and leaving ideas about how you want your funeral service to be is a great gift to those left behind," she said.
"The Church of England has been talking to people about death and funerals as part of its work on the Funerals Project, and discovered that for many people knowing that the service really reflects their loved one's life is a great comfort.
"Vicars are used to talking about the big questions and the small details, so don't hesitate to ask your local vicar for advice."