As you can imagine, the cost of a funeral will differ from person to person, as the price will be determined by the location of the funeral, personal preferences and wishes, as well as whether your loved one is having a cremation or burial.
According to financial protection and future planning company SunLife, the total cost of dying in the UK in 2021 is an average of £9,263, which is an increase of 0.8% since 2019. This price includes the cost of a basic funeral, which is an average of £4,184.
Of course, there are lots of costs involved and many things to consider when preparing for a funeral. In this guide, we break it all down simply so that you know what to expect.
In the UK, the average cost of a funeral largely depends on the type of funeral you require for your loved one as well as where in the country it’s going to take place.
There are 3 main types of funerals to choose from:
The average prices have been provided by SunLife and they have used these prices to work out an average cost of £4,184 for a basic funeral in the UK.
There are several factors to consider when planning a funeral; let’s take a look at a breakdown of the total cost.
*A direct cremation is the cheapest and most basic type of cremation available. It does not involve having a formal funeral service and usually, no one attends a direct cremation, unless the family of the deceased have arranged it, in which case, they should be able to attend. There is no minister, procession, vehicle or pallbearer. While it is a very basic option, the utmost care will still be taken with your loved one - it is simply the cheapest option depending on finances and the deceased’s wishes.
Pure Cremation suggests breaking down the cost of a funeral into three categories:
The funeral company will charge other fees on top of the cost of having a funeral director, and they will usually put it all together in one final bill.
Here are the services involved in the cost of a burial and cremation:
These are extra costs (on average) that might be incurred should the family wish to include these in the funeral:
These are average costs provided by SunLife, so bear in mind that these may differ significantly depending on where you are in the UK.
You will also have to pay for the following services should you require them:
There are many ways in which you can lower the cost of your loved one’s funeral, but of course, it all depends on your personal preferences and budget.
Generally, people tend to spend more money than they feel they needed to, so it’s good to think carefully about what you and your loved ones really want and need.
According to SunLife’s study, here are several ways you can cut the costs (where possible):
If the deceased person left a Will behind, it should hopefully state how the funeral is to be paid for, whether that’s from their savings, a life insurance policy, etc.
If they didn’t leave a Will with instructions regarding their funeral, you will need to choose the best way to pay for it.
These are the most common options:
If you need help with paying for your loved one’s funeral, you may be able to apply for a Funeral Support Payment with the Government.