How much does a funeral cost?

We all know that life can be expensive. Unfortunately, dying isn’t always cheap either. Many of us plan ahead for death, organising our funeral in advance to protect our loved ones from what can be an unexpected and sizable sum. But the first thing we need to know is, how much does a funeral cost?

Although it sounds like a simple question, as with most things to do with money, the answer isn’t always straightforward. So, before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s start with the average overall cost of a funeral which, according to Sun Life’s Cost of Dying Report, currently sits at £4056.

And it doesn’t end there. From the same report, the average spend on extras and the post funeral gathering is noted as £2,484. So, without taking into account the fees charged by those qualified to administer an estate (which currently sits in the region of  £2,325 and therefore should also be kept in mind when planning ahead) the answer to the question, ‘how much does the average funeral cost in the UK?’ is £6,549.

As this eye-watering sum equates to approximately *12% of the average UK salary and, according to a report in Finder, a third of us in the UK have less than £600 in savings to fall back on, it’s definitely time to look at the nitty gritty.

Average funeral cost in the UK

Although prices vary across the UK, Northern Ireland is the least expensive place in the UK to die and London is unsurprisingly the dearest. But, wherever you live, burials arranged through a high street funeral director are the most expensive option, often costing more than £4,900. Traditional attended cremations – again organised on the high street – cost, on average, £3,765.

Traditional extras make up the rest of the funeral costs. The spend on flowers frequently tops £200; printed service sheets £100+, the obituary or Death Notice combined with a notice about funeral arrangements will set you back at least £130 and catering for the post-ceremony gathering will lighten your wallet by a minimum of £410. Limousine hire is also extraordinarily expensive and will set you back more than £300 and if you are thinking about a memorial headstone, you will need to allow more than £1000.

These figures focus on 2021. Prior to the pandemic shaping the way we said goodbye to loved ones, the cost of the average funeral was £4,184 and extras had increased by 9.8% between 2019 and 2020 . A trend, that without the restrictions of lockdown, was bound to continue. As difficult as the pandemic was, especially for those who were forced to say goodbye in agonising circumstances, it has prompted a shift in an industry that was previously set in its expensive ways.

How to reduce funeral costs

From the figures and details noted in the report, the answer is clear. It comes down to the choices we make. In 2018 only 2% of people opted for a direct cremation, and in 2019 only 3% selected for this amazingly cost-effective option. By 2020, this figure had risen to 14%. This increase was, of course, prompted by not one, but two UK-wide lockdowns. However, with restrictions on funerals now thankfully a thing of the past, the figure has continued to increase and at the last count, 18% of all funerals in the UK were direct cremations.

This much-needed offering not only has a significantly lower purchase price, it also negates the need for the costly add-ons that an attended ceremony at a crematorium requires. So, instead of shelling out for the long list of disbursements (flowers, service stationery and limos etc) that appear on all funeral director’s invoices, the celebration of life budget can be tailored to suit your pocket. If you need a few tips or ideas, Aura’s How To Celebrate a Life on a Budget should provide a little inspiration.

Finding support with funeral costs

For some people finding the most economical way to say farewell in a meaningful way will be incredibly important. In 2021, 17% of families surveyed by Sun Life ‘experienced notable financial concerns when paying for a funeral.’ Many had to dip into savings, others had to borrow from a friend or relative, whilst others found themselves loading up credit cards or applying for loans.

For the people who were unable to access savings, arrange credit or reach out to friends and relatives to help with the costs, most found help via the Department of Work and Pensions who run two schemes to help families in need: The Bereavement Support Payment and The Funeral Expenses Payment. Other people contacted their loved one’s bank or building society and via the Grant of Probate scheme were able to pay funeral costs directly from funds held in the account.

So, not only is there help out there if we need it, we also have more choice. A direct cremation allows us to tailor the day that we say ‘farewell’ in a way that not only reflects who we are, this choice can prevent financial stress at one of the most difficult times our families will ever face.

So perhaps, when we’re planning ahead rather than asking ‘How much does a funeral cost?’ The question we should be asking ourselves is ‘How much do I want to spend?’