Types of Funerals and Their Costs

Planning for a funeral can often feel intense, overwhelming, and confusing; there can be a lot of moving parts that feel that little bit more difficult to navigate during a time of grief. If you’ve found us here, you might be looking into different types of funerals and their costs in order to take this pressure off your own family by making arrangements in advance. Or you may be dealing with the immediate need to give a loved one a respectful send-off. At Aura, we understand the importance of clarity and support during such moments. 

If you do find yourself wanting to plan ahead or are in immediate need, we can help. Aura is a trusted provider of prepaid funeral plans, and direct cremations, empowering you and your family to plan your funeral on your own terms. Our direct cremation options and prepaid funeral plans are a simple, low-cost alternative to a traditional funeral.

Alongside our funeral services, we offer resources to help you explore your options and explain funeral costs. This article will guide you through your options, and provide insight into what each type of service entails.

Overview of funeral types and their costs

Funerals intend to honour and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died, and acknowledge the loss felt by their death. They can range from highly personal, reflecting cultural beliefs, religious practices, and individual preferences, or relatively utilitarian, depending on your loved one’s wishes and availability of funds.

If you’ve wondered how much a funeral costs and have a tricky time finding a straightforward answer, you aren’t alone. Your funeral options are vast and varied, and costs can range widely depending on the type of service, location, and level of customisation. 

In the UK, the funeral costs can sit between £1,000 and £10,000, with SunLife putting the average British traditional funeral cost at £4,141. From traditional ceremonies to eco-friendly alternatives, families have a wide variety of choices to meet their unique needs.

Traditional funeral services

Traditional funerals involve established practices like a ceremony, burial, or cremation, often accompanied by memorial services.

A ‘traditional’ funeral refers to a service that follows long-established customs and practices, often involving a structured ceremony and formal rituals. These typically include a visitation or wake, a funeral service held at a place of worship or a funeral home, and a committal ceremony at the burial site or crematorium. Traditional funerals are intended to provide a sense of closure, respect, and community support for the grieving family, often reflecting cultural or religious traditions. They tend to involve formal attire, prayers, hymns, or eulogies in a structured format.

Burials

Burials are the most formal and often the most costly type of funeral. They include a funeral service, a coffin or a casket, and burial plot. Additional expenses such as headstones and cemetery maintenance fees can significantly increase the total cost. However, burial costs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the type of burial plot, and the cemetery. For instance, a standard plot in a rural area might cost a few hundred pounds, whereas a plot in a major city could run into thousands. Burials still remain the preferred choice for those with specific religious or cultural traditions, and personal preferences.

• Average cost: £5,077 as cited by SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024
• Potential additional costs: 
  • Headstones
  • Memorial services
  • Maintenance fees

Cremation funerals

The cost of cremation vs burial is something to consider when looking into funeral options. Cremation is a more affordable alternative to burial, and allows for more flexibility in terms of ceremony and memorialisation. Families can choose traditional cremation services, which include a ceremony, or a direct cremation for a simpler, more cost-effective option. 

In the UK, cremations are now more common than burials. Over 75% of funerals in the UK involve cremation, while burials make up the remaining percentage. This trend is largely due to the higher costs associated with burials, such as purchasing a burial plot, headstones, and ongoing maintenance fees. Families also value the flexibility cremation allows, providing the option for them to keep or scatter ashes in meaningful locations. The ashes can also be interred in a burial plot, an urn garden, or placed in a special burial vault, a niche in a columbarium, or even on private land.

• Average cost: £3,795 as cited by SunLife
• Key distinction: Traditional cremation involves a full service at a crematorium, while a direct cremation takes place without a service or any guests in attendance.

Direct funerals

Direct funerals focus on simplicity and affordability, catering to families looking for no-frills services.

Direct cremation

Direct cremation prices tend to cost much less than more traditional funerals, making this option one that is most often chosen for its affordability. It is a simple, no-frills service that takes place without a preceding funeral ceremony or attendees at the crematorium.

Aura is proud to offer this low-cost funeral option to those who are opting for a less complicated service. You can still include meaningful services that keep costs manageable while ensuring a respectful and heartfelt goodbye. We provide a unique service that allows for a middle ground between a traditional funeral and simple cremation.

With Aura, you can select music, and, if attending, loved ones may share memories, readings, or poems if they wish. This balanced approach allows for a heartfelt and personalised tribute that is a more cost-effective funeral option than a full-scale ceremony.

• Average cost: £1,498 as cited by SunLife
• Aura’s price for direct cremation: £1,095
• Why choose this option?: Simple, low-cost and ideal for families planning a separate memorial event elsewhere.

Direct burial

Direct burial follows a similar philosophy to direct cremation but involves burial without a funeral service. They are becoming more popular in the UK, along with direct cremation.

It is a straightforward service in which the person who has died is buried shortly after death without a formal funeral, viewing, or ceremony. It focuses solely on the essentials of burial, making it a more affordable and simplified choice. 

The person who has died is typically placed in a basic coffin and transported directly to the site for immediate burial. Families who opt for direct burial may choose to hold a private or informal memorial service at a later time, enabling them to commemorate their loved one in a way that suits their needs and preferences.

• Average cost: £1,657 as cited by SunLife
• Suitable for: Families seeking privacy and minimal expenses.

Green and eco-friendly funerals

For people who feel passionate about sustainability, eco-friendly funerals provide a way to say goodbye to loved ones while thinking about the environment. Someone might choose an eco-friendly funeral to minimise their environmental impact and align their final arrangements with their values. This type of funeral prioritises sustainability by using biodegradable materials like wicker or cardboard coffins, avoiding embalming chemicals, and opting for natural burial grounds that preserve green spaces. 

Eco-friendly funerals can often provide a sense of connection to nature, creating a peaceful and meaningful way to honour a loved one while having less impact on the planet. Green funerals are generally less expensive than traditional burials because they use more affordable materials, and often don’t use headstones or memorials.

Features of green funerals

• Cost range: Costs depend on a variety of factors including location, plot size, coffin or shroud, and any ceremonial ‘extras’, for example, a celebrant or flowers.
• Environmental benefits: Reduced carbon footprint and natural resource preservation, and use of natural burial grounds that support conservation efforts.

Alternative funerals

Alternative funerals are a great way for families to celebrate their loved one’s life in unique ways, reflecting their individuality and memories. With less of a focus on tradition, people tend to get creative with these types of funerals. There is an emphasis on individuality, and families might take on more DIY approaches. Often, the person who has died has played a role in planning their alternative funeral or has left clear wishes and instructions about how they would like for it to be conducted.

Celebration of life

A celebration of life is an informal approach to a memorial, sharing positive memories through a relaxed gathering. This type of service leans into honouring and remembering the joyful moments and achievements of a person’s life rather than focusing on their death. 

These gatherings are often uplifting and personal, featuring stories, music, photos, and other elements that reflect the person’s one-of-a-kind personality and legacy. Celebrations of life can take place in a variety of settings, such as a family home, garden, or community venue, and are tailored to create a meaningful and memorable tribute. Costs vary depending on the scale of the event, and can be as elaborate or as simple as a family desires.

• Cost range: Can vary widely, as there are many different options for venues and customisation
• Popular elements: Personal tributes, photo displays, and music.

Sea Burial

A sea burial, also known as a water burial, is a funeral practice where the body or ashes of a person are laid to rest in the ocean or another significant body of water. This tradition has been observed in many cultures and religions for centuries, often reflecting spiritual, environmental, or personal values. The ocean often symbolises eternity, freedom, and a connection to the divine, making it a meaningful resting place for many people.

There are two types of sea burials: full body sea burial, and ash scattering. In full body burial, the person who has died is prepared and committed directly to the sea, most often enclosed in a biodegradable, weighted coffin or weighted shroud. For scattering ashes at sea, this can be done by boat or by aircraft. If an urn is used, it must also be biodegradable in nature.

• Cost range: £2,185–£7,890 as cited by Burials at Sea for permits, licenses, boat and aircraft hire, urns, coffins, and extra ceremonial elements such as flowers or celebrants. If a person is cremated prior, that will have also incurred cost.
• Environmental factors: The use of environmentally friendly products is a key feature in sea burials.
• Location: Sea burials often take place at designated offshore areas to avoid disturbing coastal ecosystems.

Religious and cultural funerals

Religious and cultural funerals in the UK reflect the diverse traditions and beliefs of its population. Each group typically follows specific rituals and customs to honour the person who has died. Though the UK is experiencing a decline in religion, these types of funerals are still very much happening.

Specific traditions, rituals, and ceremonial items contribute to the cost of religious and cultural funerals. Below is an overview of various religious and cultural funeral types along with the factors that influence their costs:

 Christian funerals

• Overview: Christianity is the most common religion in the UK, and Christian funerals often include a church service, prayers, hymns, and readings from the Bible.
• Traditions: Burial is traditional, though cremation is also widely accepted.
• Cost factors: Church services, burial plots, coffins, urns, and ceremonial extras like flowers, Christian minister, orders of service, and music.

Muslim funerals

• Overview: Islamic funerals, also known as Janazahs, follow strict guidelines outlined in the Quran, focusing on simplicity and respect. 
• Traditions: Burial is mandatory, with the body collectively bathed and wrapped in a white shroud, then buried facing Mecca. Funeral rites include a prayer (Salat al-Janazah) performed at the mosque or cemetery.
• Cost factors: Burial fees and specific preparation rituals, as cremation is prohibited.

Jewish funerals

• Overview: Jewish funerals are centred on respect for the person who has died, with an emphasis on swift burial, usually within 24 hours of death.
• Traditions: Cremation is discouraged in favour of burial, and the use of biodegradable materials is important. They forgo embalming and grave liners, making the burials in alignment with green funerals. Rituals include prayers, the reading of psalms, and the tearing of garments (Keriah) as a sign of mourning.
• Cost factors: Burial plots in Jewish cemeteries and religious-specific requirements.

Hindu funerals

• Overview: Hindu funerals emphasise the cycle of reincarnation and liberation (moksha).
• Traditions: Cremation is the preferred method, as it is believed to release the soul. Ceremonies often include prayers, chanting, and offerings. Ashes are sometimes taken to India for scattering in the Ganges River.
• Cost factors: Cremation, ceremonial items, and travel for the ashes if repatriation is desired.

Sikh funerals

• Overview: Sikh funerals reflect the belief in returning to God.
• Traditions: Cremation is the most common choice. Ceremonies involve prayers and hymns (Kirtan Sohila) recited at the Gurdwara or funeral home.
• Cost Factors: Cremation fees and arrangements for prayers or religious readings.

 Buddhist funerals

• Overview: Buddhist funerals focus on the cycle of rebirth and the soul’s journey.
• Traditions: Cremation is typical, with services that may include meditation, chanting, and offerings. The service’s simplicity varies depending on cultural influences. The person who has died is usually presented in an open casket with their image and the Buddha nearby.
• Cost Factors: Cremation fees, ceremonial items, caskets, and donations to monks or temples.

Other cultural and religious funerals

• African and Caribbean communities: Funerals often include vibrant music, traditional songs, and cultural rituals. Burial is the preferred option for many, though cremation is also chosen in some cases.
• Chinese funerals: Chinese traditions often blend Buddhist or Taoist practices with cultural customs, involving offerings, paper goods, and symbolic rituals.
• Humanist and secular funerals: For those without religious beliefs, humanist funerals focus on celebrating the person’s life without religious content, often featuring personalised tributes and music.

Key considerations

• Venue availability: Religious facilities may have different capacities and scheduling requirements.
• Cultural practices: Following specific guidelines for a person’s faith or culture is crucial to maintaining respect and tradition.
• Costs: These can vary widely depending on the rituals, location, and type of service chosen.

Religious and cultural funerals are an integral part of the UK’s multiculturally diverse society. They reflect the rich tapestry of beliefs and traditions that coexist. Each faith and culture brings unique practices and rituals to funeral ceremonies, offering mourners and communities closure and peace in alignment with their values.

Military funerals

A military funeral is a service held to honour and commemorate a member of the armed forces who has died, and to recognise their service and sacrifice for the country. These funerals often include traditional military honours such as the playing of “The Last Post,” a flag draped over the casket, and a ceremonial gun salute. Additional elements may include a colour guard, the presence of uniformed service members, and the presentation of the flag to the person’s family.

These funerals can vary based on rank, branch, and service history, and some of the funeral costs can be claimed and covered by veteran programmes or military organisations. Families can choose to add personal touches, such as readings or music, with the intention to create a special tribute that balances military tradition with their loved one’s preferences.

This type of funeral often includes specific honours such as flag presentation and ceremonial salutes. 

Factors affecting funeral costs

Understanding what influences funeral pricing can help you plan effectively. The cost of a funeral varies widely depending on several factors, and shedding light on these can affect the services you choose and how you manage your expenses. 

Service type and scale

Larger, more elaborate services are typically more expensive, unless a family relies heavily on creative ways to keep costs down. Expenses include venue rental, catering, fees, hiring funeral professionals such as celebrants, transportation and more.

Location

Funeral costs can vary significantly by region, with urban areas tending to be more expensive, but not always. While location within the country plays a part, so does the actual site or venue for the funeral. 

With many different types of locations available, from natural burial woodlands to crematorium chapels to the open sea, funeral costs can differ greatly from family to family. 

Personalisation and extras

Adding personal touches like floral arrangements, bespoke coffins and urns or even live musicians can increase costs. In many cases, you can keep prices down by taking care of some of these elements yourself; it’s all about creating a meaningful goodbye for your loved one.

In many cases, a person who has died leaves specific notes or instructions for what they wanted at their funeral, either in their end-of-life paperwork, or in their funeral plan. This is helpful to their family members, who may not always have a good idea of what the person’s wishes were. Having these personalised elements at a funeral brings together a more full picture of a person’s life, and creates a sense of closure for mourners.

How to choose a funeral that fits your budget

For most people and families, selecting an ideal funeral service requires balancing emotional considerations with financial realities. The goal is to create a service that honours the person who has died without placing strain on their family and friends. This is exactly how our founder Paul Jameson had envisioned Aura: the type of service he would want for himself and his family. 

After Paul was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2017, he knew he wanted everything to be carefully planned for his loved ones. He wished to express what needed to be said, and hoped to spare his family from the expenses of a traditional funeral. He wanted them to celebrate his life in a way that truly reflected how he lived it. Since its inception in 2019, Aura has been a source of support for tens of thousands of families, always prioritising authentic compassion and attentive care. 

Assessing financial resources

It’s a good idea to evaluate available savings, life insurance policies, and potential assistance from community or government programmes. Pre-planning is another effective way to lock in current prices and reduce future financial stress. Aura’s prepaid funeral plans do just that, in addition to providing compassionate support along the way. Our all-inclusive plans don’t have any hidden costs, so there’s nothing left for your loved ones to pay when the time comes. Our brilliant and dedicated team of Aura Angels will guide your family through the steps needed to fulfil your wishes, exactly as you had planned. 

Comparing providers

You might think about getting detailed quotes from multiple providers to identify the best value. Make sure that the pricing includes all essential services to avoid hidden costs. As this is an important decision, it’s best to take the time to really understand everything they offer, and read through reviews. Trustpilot is an excellent resource, reflecting how customers truly feel about the products and services they were provided. 

Aura has a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot, showcasing how our clients have felt about the empathetic and tailored care we provide. We welcome you to compare Aura funeral plans with other leading providers, and also compare direct cremation providers and costs to make sure you’re making the right choice for you and your family.

Exploring cost-saving alternatives

Options like direct cremation, eco-friendly funerals, or simplified ceremonies can help families reduce expenses while creating a meaningful goodbye.

Aura Funerals

Funeral planning is deeply personal, and understanding the types of services available can ease the process during a difficult time. By exploring various types of funerals and their associated costs, families or people planning ahead are able to honour a person’s life in a way that aligns with their values and financial capabilities.

At Aura, we want to help simplify this process for you. Our cremation services supply options for everyone. We serve two primary groups: those needing a funeral in the near term, such as for a loved one who has recently died, and those seeking to arrange a funeral plan in advance for their own future needs. We offer fully attended funerals, or simple and completely unattended – whatever is preferred. 

We aim to offer a thoughtful alternative to conventional funeral services, with our unattended services starting at £1,095. Our caring team of Aura Angels is ready to assist you with anything you might need more information about, or might need to plan for. If you have any questions, please get in touch.