Planning a funeral can be overwhelming and the cost can add to the stress. Since 2004, funeral costs have more than doubled from £1,835 to £3,953.[1]
It's important to remember though that you don't need to feel pressured to spend more than you can afford. Putting pressure on your finances is unlikely to be what your loved one would have wanted and choosing a small, intimate send off with personal touches to reflect a person's life can be just as meaningful.
There are several ways you can minimise funeral costs for you and your family. Prepaid funeral plans, for example, let you cover funeral costs in advance to either plan and pay for your own funeral or arrange a funeral for someone else.
[1] Basic funeral costs were £1,835 in 2004 and £3,953 in 2022 (Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2023, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)
Funeral costs can differ by thousands of pounds depending on the type of funeral you would like and how elaborate you would like it to be.
If you know you'll be responsible for planning someone's funeral, being aware of the costs involved can help set your mind at rest and allow you to make informed choices about the best way to fulfil your loved one's funeral wishes.
Whether you're arranging a funeral or considering your own funeral wishes, the type of funeral you choose will have the biggest impact on how much the funeral will cost.
The costs of burial, cremation or direct cremation vary significantly.
Funeral type | Average cost[2] |
---|---|
Burial | £4,794 |
Cremation | £3,673 |
Direct cremation | £1,511 |
A Distinct Cremations attended cremation | From £1,545 |
A Distinct Cremations direct cremation | From £995 |
[2] Funeral costs by type taken from the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2023, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
Burial funerals are conventional but burial costs are also the most expensive.
Securing a burial plot in your preferred location and buying a headstone for the grave can be expensive. Fees for digging and filling in the grave can also add to the costs.
Nowadays more people choose to be cremated than to be buried. Cremation costs vary depending on what you’d like to be included.
Following the cremation ashes can be scattered but if you would like them to be buried so your family has a grave to visit in future this will cost extra.
Choosing a direct cremation funeral is the most cost-effective way to give your loved one a respectful and dignified cremation.
The cremation takes place without any mourners present and allows you to celebrate your loved one's life in your own personal way instead.
Burial
Those who choose a burial funeral often like to include other traditional funeral elements like a hearse, a car to transport immediate family, floral arrangements for the coffin and orders of service for the mourners in attendance, all of which contribute to the costs.
Cremation
A cremation funeral is cheaper than a burial and costs like a headstone and burial plot are not required. Aspects of a cremation service that can affect the price include how many mourners are present, the day and time of the service and whether the service is family-led or led by a celebrant.
Direct cremation
Direct cremation is the most affordable funeral option. It is a popular choice for those who either don't have the money for an extravagant funeral service or would rather gift the money to their family. Families may like to spend additional money on a celebration of life or ashes scattering event in remembrance of their loved one.
At Distinct Cremations, we specialise in simple cremations and direct cremation services. Our funeral services can be organised at the time of need, or you can set up a funeral plan to plan and pay for a funeral for yourself or someone else in advance.
If you'd like more information about the costs of our services and what's included, please give us a call to chat with our friendly team.
Call us on 01543 212000Looking for ways to reduce the cost of a funeral is a practical consideration. Your loved one wouldn’t want you to feel stressed over funeral costs or get into debt paying for a funeral that's not affordable for you. Many people prefer to prioritise money for their families over having an extravagant funeral.
There are many ways you can reduce funeral costs and still have a unique and personal funeral that honours a loved one's memory.
Where you live in the country also makes a difference to how much a funeral costs. The South West and North East have the most affordable funeral costs on average, whereas the most expensive area is London.
Region | Average cost[3] |
---|---|
South West England | £3,640 |
North East England | £3,668 |
Yorkshire & the Humber | £3,742 |
North West England | £3,832 |
Scotland | £3,848 |
East & West Midlands | £3,892 |
Wales | £4,012 |
South East & East of England | £4,300 |
London | £5,283 |
If you live in a more expensive area, choosing a nationwide funeral provider could help you save money. Funeral providers that cater to the whole of the UK will have set prices for their services which may well work out cheaper than your local funeral directors.
[3] Funeral costs by region taken from the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2023, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
The funeral provider you choose will also impact the cost of a funeral. To make sure you're getting the best price, you can compare providers that specialise in your preferred type of funeral.
Consider which extras are included and excluded.
A low cost funeral with Distinct Cremations prioritises simplicity. Our cremation services include nothing unnecessary and are delivered at an affordable cost.
Our unattended and simple attended cremations offer pared-back and cost-effective alternatives to traditional funerals.
Find our services below or alternatively you can view our CMA standardised price list.
Our Unattended Cremation is a great choice for those looking for a simple, low-cost Unattended Cremation without a funeral ceremony. Our Unattended Cremation funerals take place with no service or mourners present at our high-quality crematoria where dignified care is guaranteed throughout.
Our attended, Personal Cremation is a perfect option for those looking for a fuss-free farewell and a final chance to say goodbye. With our Personal Cremation funeral you can have up to 20 people attending for a 20 minute service, making this a dignified and affordable option.
Some funeral costs will be necessary regardless of the type of funeral you choose.
There are also some optional extras you may like to consider but you don't have to have if you'd like to keep costs down.
Being aware of the different ways to pay for a funeral allows you to choose the payment option that suits you best.
You can also make sure a funeral you're arranging for someone else hasn't been paid for already or find out how you can cover the costs of your own funeral.
Worried about how you would be able to pay for a funeral? There are a number of organisations that may be able to support you to ease the financial burden.
Government support
If you already receive government benefits, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment (or a Funeral Support Payment in Scotland). Your eligibility depends on the existing benefits you receive and your relationship with the deceased.
Employer support
Some employers offer death-in-service cover which provides a payout of several times an individual's annual salary if they die whilst employed by the company.
Children's funeral support
The Children's Funeral Fund for England is government support that covers the cost of a burial or cremation for someone under 18 so that these costs don't fall on the family. Other costs associated with the funeral may also be covered.
Policies and plans
Always check whether your loved one had a funeral plan to avoid paying for a funeral that's already been paid for. Check for any pre-existing life insurance or over 50s life cover policies too which could help you cover the funeral costs.
Charity support
Some charities also offer support with funeral costs if the individual suffered from a particular condition or was part of a specific group, club or profession.
Local council
If there is not enough money to cover the funeral costs via any of the above means, the local council will arrange a public health funeral. The family of the deceased may not be able to make any choices about the funeral arrangements.
We’re here to help and support you whether you’re arranging a funeral now or planning for the future.
If you’ve had a recent bereavement and you’re looking to arrange a funeral straightaway we can help you arrange a caring and low cost funeral.
Arrange a funeralInterested in funeral plans? Find out how flexible payment options and protection from price rises can help you manage your funeral costs.
Find out about funeral plansBelow are a selection of reviews from those who have arranged a funeral or purchased a funeral plan through Distinct Cremations.