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Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with the financial side of things. With so many options to choose from, knowing how to compare funeral costs is an important step to ensure you’re getting the right service at a price that feels manageable to you.
Whether you’re arranging a funeral for a loved one or preparing for the future, understanding the costs involved can help ease the pressure and allow you to focus on what truly matters—honouring the life being remembered. This guide is here to walk you through the process with care, clarity, and compassion.
Key takeaways:
Unfortunately, there’s no one answer to the question: ‘How much does a funeral cost?’ Funeral expenses can differ depending on location, type of service, and provider. By comparing the figures though, you can make informed decisions about your funeral options that balance affordability with meaningful personalisation. This not only avoids unnecessary expenses but also means that the service will honour the person who has died in a way that reflects their wishes.
Different types of funerals carry varying costs:
With any type of funeral, personalised services such as bespoke caskets or unique ceremonies, can increase overall costs.
Funeral expenses can vary greatly between urban and rural areas:
On average, people in London spent £5,145 on a funeral, making it one of the most expensive regions. In contrast, the East Midlands had a lower average cost of £4,359, while Northern Ireland was the least expensive, with funerals averaging £3,823.
Third-party funeral costs, often referred to as ‘disbursements,’ are expenses paid by the funeral director (if using one) on behalf of the family to external providers involved in the funeral process. These costs are typically separate from the funeral director’s fees and can vary depending on the type of service and location.
These include:
Third-party fees can differ based on local providers, and understanding their impact is important for accurate cost comparisons.
Comparing funeral costs effectively is an important step to take to make sure you receive the services you need at a price that fits your budget. Taking a systematic approach can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Reach out to several funeral providers in your area…however many you find necessary, and request detailed, itemised quotes. Transparency in pricing helps you to identify hidden fees and ensures you’re comparing similar services.
Tools such as Fairer Finance provide side-by-side cost comparisons. Do your best to focus on reputable, accredited providers with legitimate testimonials or reviews when using online resources.
Examine what is covered in each funeral plan:
Transportation fees are a basic part of funeral costs, covering the logistics of moving the person who has died and supporting the needs of the family during the service.
While some providers, like Aura, include basic coffins and urns in their pricing, others provide them at an extra cost. Additionally, material, size and style can affect prices.
Common options that can incur extra cost:
Third-party funeral fees, also known as disbursements, are costs charged by external providers involved in the funeral process. These fees typically include expenses such as cremation or burial fees, orders of service and officiant or celebrant fees. While funeral directors may manage these payments on your behalf, they are separate from the funeral director’s service costs. It’s important to ask for a breakdown of these fees to understand what’s included and plan accordingly.
There are some possible additional costs to consider, depending on the services you want. Embalming, viewing and dressing your loved one may incur extra costs.
When it comes to which service is more affordable between cremation vs burial, there are several points to consider. However, in general, cremation remains the more cost effective funeral of the two across the UK. Both services include optional add-ons like flowers, live musicians, and officiants, and each type of funeral carries its own potential for specialised additional costs.
Burials may involve additional expenses such as:
With cremations, these options would involve additional expense:
Low-cost funerals offer a great alternative for families looking for a more affordable way to say goodbye, or for those who want to do things a little differently. Each type has its own benefits:
A simple, cost-effective option with no ceremony at the crematorium. Families can choose to arrange a memorial or celebration of life separately. Direct cremation prices can vary by provider, so it’s wise to consider reputation, service range, and package inclusions.
At Aura, we offer our top-rated direct cremation options with full transparency. Any potential additional fees will always be communicated to you in advance.
An ‘intimate’ funeral is a shorter, smaller, and more private attended direct cremation ceremony, offering a middle-ground alternative to traditional attended funerals.
Designed for close family and friends, it provides a chance to gather, reflect, and celebrate the life of a loved one in a personalised and meaningful way. With fewer attendees, this approach fosters a setting focused on connection and comfort.
With an Aura Intimate Farewell funeral, up to 10 close family and friends can gather for 10 minutes to say their final goodbyes. They can speak, sing, or stand with their loved one’s coffin and talk privately to them. There is no formal structure, no pressure and no formula to follow. This service comes in at £2,095, which includes the cremation fees, a simple coffin, administration and paperwork support and the hand-delivery of your loved one’s ashes to your chosen address for a nominal fee.
A blend between a direct cremation and a traditional funeral, these services cater to larger groups than an intimate ceremony, and do not include elements of a traditional funeral such as funeral vehicles and pallbearers.
A fully attended direct cremation funeral with Aura is priced at £2,695 and can accommodate a larger number of friends and family members (depending on the crematorium) for up to 45 minutes. With these longer ceremonies, families might choose to involve a celebrant or religious leader to officiate the service, which would incur extra cost.
These plans allow individuals to plan for the future and lock in current prices, providing long-term financial benefits and peace of mind.
Aura’s pre-paid funeral plans are all-inclusive and designed to meet your needs and budget. Our family-run service is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and our plans are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). You can rest assured that, when you purchase a prepaid funeral plan from Aura, your money is secure.
Our belief that treating every person that turns to us as if they are our own family is reflected in our 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot, something we take great pride in.
Prepaid funeral plans vary in price and coverage. We welcome you to compare Aura’s prepaid funeral plans with other leading providers, and recommend considering the following when evaluating options:
With Aura, you can amend your plan or cancel for any reason at any time without penalty. You will only incur a cost if you decide to upgrade your plan.
Our brochure includes all the details you need surrounding our prepaid direct cremation funeral plans.
Get your free brochure sent by email or First Class post by clicking on the link below.
Web tools for funeral cost comparisons such as Aviva and SunLife’s Funeral Cost Calculator can simplify decision-making by providing clear pricing in your area.
Seek guidance on everything from legal and administrative questions to information about military funerals from organisations like the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD). Charities specific to funeral payment assistance like Down to Earth may also offer support for families with limited budgets.
Speaking to different funeral providers and requesting brochures from providers you’re interested in exploring allows for in-depth discussions about packages and pricing. Request itemised quotes for clarity if necessary.
Updated 2025 figures indicate that the average funeral cost in the UK is £4,285.
Online comparison websites are helpful but should be used alongside direct communication with providers to ensure accuracy and transparency.
By carefully comparing funeral costs, families and those looking to plan for the future can make financially sound decisions that not only honour wishes, but lessen financial stress. Whether through prepaid plans, direct cremation, or traditional services, understanding your options ensures a meaningful service that aligns with personal and cultural preferences.
At Aura, we are dedicated to serving families across the UK with empathy, compassion and excellent service. Our industry-leading team of professionals include our Aura Angels, who will be there to guide you at every stage with their funeral planning expertise.
If you have any questions, would like a brochure or simply would like a chat through our services, our award-winning team is here to help.
Our brochure includes all the details you need surrounding our prepaid direct cremation funeral plans.
Get your free brochure sent by email or First Class post by clicking on the link below.