Funeral costs in the UK

Many households have been feeling the pinch, and the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measurement for August 2023 showed that consumer prices were 6.7% higher than a year before.

But while households may have less disposable income, that doesn’t mean funeral costs will be any cheaper. In response to the cost of living crisis, some local authorities, such as Hyndburn in East Lancashire, have opted to freeze funeral costs for local residents. As we’ll explore, there are significant regional variations in UK funeral costs.

Breakdown of funeral costs

Whilst knowing how much a funeral costs in 2023 is helpful, there are other factors that may determine how much a funeral might actually cost to arrange. That’s because the costs can depend on the type of funeral, and the level of service you require. But from the research we commissioned, here’s a breakdown of funeral costs and a summary of what exactly you get for your money.

Even the most modest funeral is likely to cost a tidy sum, no matter where you live in the UK. Funeral prices might seem high at first, but it’s a great feeling knowing you can provide financial support for your family after you’re gone. By planning your funeral now, you could make life a little easier for your loved ones. Below, we explore some of the ways you can help meet your funeral costs - from prepaid funeral plans to Over 50s Life Insurance.

The costs of a funeral normally come from the money left by the deceased (their 'estate'). However, a family member could bear the cost if they pay for a funeral and they cannot later reclaim the money from the deceased's estate. There isn't a law in the UK which states that the next of kin are responsible. 

If the deceased had an Over 50s Fixed Life Insurance plan the payout could be used to contribute towards funeral costs. If the deceased had a prepaid funeral plan, in some cases the plan will cover certain aspects, but not all of the funeral. Make sure to check that everything you want is covered on any plan you take out.

Let's look in closer detail at some of these options for paying funeral costs.

Funeral costs are high largely due to the expense of appointing a funeral director, who carries out extensive professional work to conduct a funeral, as well as the third party costs for the burial or cremation; this includes the cost of the service, plus the minister or officiant. More specifically, think about the costs incurred for each element of the funeral, such as selecting a coffin, the hearse, transportation, and the hygiene methods used to embalm the deceased, all of which contributes to the overall cost.

To give you an idiea of how much your funeral might cost, the research looked at funeral costs region-by-region across the UK. As you'll see, funeral costs can vary depending on where you are in the country.

In addition to the cost of appointing a funeral director and the cremation or burial costs, there will be other funeral costs that depend on what kind of funeral you and your loved ones choose to arrange. Here are some optional extras:

• Floral tributes
• Memorial headstones and plaques
• Order of service sheets (if you arrange a service)
• An urn (for a cremation)
• Newspaper / online tributes or announcements
• Hiring an organist
• A dove release or other unique tributes.

Additionally, some of the more expensive optional funeral costs include purchasing a burial plot and/or opening an existing grave, or choosing a casket instead of a coffin.

Your funeral director has an important role to play and their duties can go on far longer than you’d expect. They act as a guide in both planning and delivering the funeral, and together with their staff, will ensure all family members are cared for to make a difficult day as easy as possible.

While not all funeral directors will cover the following tasks, you can generally divide the funeral director's role into three stages:

Before the funeral

A funeral director helps with all aspects of arranging a funeral, which typically involves:       

• Providing support and advice
• Collecting and preparing the deceased
• Helping to plan the service
• Arranging visits to the chapel
• Offering a choice of coffins
• Producing orders of service
• Co-ordinating floral tributes
• Completing the necessary paperwork
• Advising on a minister or officiant
• Masonry services
• Newspaper notices
• Liaising with all third parties such as the crematorium or church, minister or officiant and paying these fees on behalf of the family as well as managing all documentation.

On the day of the funeral

On the day, a funeral director ensures everything runs smoothly; for example, they will check that vehicles and pallbearers are in place, that if a funeral procession has been requested, it takes the right route and arrives precisely on time, and that a difficult day is as stress-free as possible. They’ll also be in constant contact with the crematorium and burial site staff so that those third parties know what they’re doing.

After the funeral

Once the funeral is over, they will keep in touch, often advising on the next steps regarding ashes, the collection and payment of charitable donations and the arrangement for any memorials. Also, many funeral directors provide support with probate matters.

If you’re bereaved and you’re planning a funeral following the death of a loved one, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive specific benefits, such as Income Support or Child Tax Credit. You will need to meet certain rules on your relationship with the deceased – for example, being a partner, close friend or relative. Find out more on GOV.UK.

While there is no cheap ‘government funeral’ as such, you may be able to apply for a public health funeral through your local authority. This is because local councils are legally responsible for funeral arrangements in cases where there isn’t enough money in the estate to pay for it, or there are no relatives or friends who can arrange the funeral. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that these funerals are primarily designed to protect public health – as per the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. The law does not dictate how councils should carry out these duties, so the decisions made by local authorities – such as whether to appoint a funeral director – will differ across the UK.

Some people opt for a direct cremation, where the deceased is taken straight to the crematorium with no family or friends present at the time. This approach is one way to reduce cremation costs, as there is no funeral service, embalming or viewing in a chapel of rest. You also won’t have to think about transportation costs, such as the hearse and limousine, which wouldn’t be required. As well as helping you to save money on funeral costs, a direct cremation is suitable for those who wish to avoid the emotionally difficult build-up to a traditional funeral, keep things simple, and put the emphasis on remembering the departed in their own way and their own time. It’s also the case that many direct cremation providers will give you the option to pay for time in the crematorium where a small family-led service can take place.