How much does a funeral cost? Everything you need to know

Organising a funeral can be more expensive than you realise.

Whether you’re looking to arrange a funeral yourself or are getting the help of a funeral director, it’s important to understand what the common costs of arranging funerals are.

How much does a funeral cost? 

Arranging a funeral can be expensive. The average cost of a burial is £5,077, and cremation is, on average, £3,795, but this can fluctuate based on location and service providers.

The added financial strains of arranging funerals can cause difficulties for those arranging them.

But whether you’re letting a funeral director handle some or all of the responsibilities or arranging the funeral yourself, there are a few ways to cut the costs. 

How much does a funeral director cost? 

Funeral directors’ fees usually make up the bulk of any outgoings. They arrange almost all aspects of a funeral, from the logistics to the ceremony and even some of the administration.

Because you’ll be delegating responsibility to a director to arrange the funeral, you’ll sometimes need to spend as much as 50%-66% of the total costs on fees.

While this option can take the stress away, it isn’t always the most cost-effective way of organising a funeral, as organising it yourself will almost always be cheaper.  

You should always get quotes from more than two funeral directors before deciding. Remember, local or more independent funeral directors may be able to provide the service at a more affordable rate.

How much does a burial cost?  

To arrange a burial, you will need to consider the costs of buying coffins, finding a burial plot and any additional fees that come with it.

The costs of a coffin will vary greatly depending on the material and decoration you want to come with it, while burial fees cover the cost of securing a burial plot and digging and filling the plot.

You should also keep in the mind the cost of headstones. Depending on the style and material of the headstone, costs can vary.

While upright headstones are the most traditional design and cost between £800 and £1,200, opting for a kerbed headstone will set you back more, with these often in excess of £2,000. According to SunLife, the average headstone price in 2024 is £1,037.

The smallest and most affordable option is a flat headstone, which costs around £400.

How much does a cremation cost? 

Cremations are normally slightly less expensive, but there are still fees to bear in mind.

On average, direct cremations can cost as little as £1,498. This cost covers cremation fees but not always the costs associated with additional paperwork and administration, such as medical referee certificates and death certification, that may be required.

If you’ll be keeping a loved one’s ashes, you will also need an urn, which will vary in cost depending on what you’re looking for.

There is also the additional flexibility of having a direct funeral without a ceremony at all. While these are usually unattended, a small family group can be present.

Different direct cremations will include different elements as part of the service, so prices can differ.  

How much does arranging a funeral ceremony cost? 

Funeral ceremonies are usually hoped to reflect the person, so a ceremony can vary in price depending on the number of attendees and individual preferences.

For example, you will need to find a suitable venue if the burial plot or crematorium doesn’t have suitable facilities.

For a smaller affair, a venue could be more affordable, whereas a larger gathering will cost more.  

It’s also traditional for catering to be offered at a ceremony.

Whether you look to offer a meal, some simple sandwiches or even head to a local restaurant for some food, you will need to consider the costs associated with hiring caterers, providing your own food or hiring a venue.  

Transportation of a loved one is traditionally done by a hearse, so depending on your preferences, you could hire a motor car to transport the loved one.

If you decide to lay on additional cars, these will also cost extra.  

How to pay for a funeral 

Regardless of how much your chosen funeral costs, it can sometimes put added strain on a person to try and arrange a funeral on their own.

There are a few different ways to reduce costs while still having a personal funeral.  

Funeral plans and funeral insurance 

Funeral plans help loved ones prepare for their funerals in advance and can ease the financial strain of arranging a ceremony.

An individual agrees upon a pre-paid funeral plan and can cover everything from funeral wishes to burial location to even decoration.

The level of coverage is entirely up to the individual and their closest relatives. Once an individual has passed away, the funeral plan is arranged and put into place, aiming to alleviate some of the stress for loved ones.

However, funeral plans aren’t cheap and in 2024, the average price for a funeral plan now ranges between £2,250 and £6,619.. 

Life insurance is different in that while it does make a contribution towards an individual’s funeral plans, it won’t necessarily cover everything.

Often called over-50s plans, life insurance involves an individual paying out regular payments to an insurer who, in turn, pays a lump sum on the individual’s death.

However, as these monthly payments are made until your passing, you could end up paying in more than you get back.   

Will provisions 

Some people may set aside a lump sum in their will to their loved ones to help cover the costs of a person’s desired funeral.

This may cover a part or the whole sum of a funeral, but legally, you don’t have to follow through with an individual’s funeral wishes.  

Transferring savings to a loved one 

If an individual has a savings account but has not made provisions in their will to nominate someone to inherit this money, a loved one or relative can still be given these funds.

An administrator can appoint a loved one to inherit the funds, which could then be used to cover the funeral costs.  

How to save money on a funeral 

There are ways to keep costs down when organising a funeral.

As the process involves many smaller expenses, there are ways to keep costs low. Whether an individual helps cover the cost of a funeral through insurance or a funeral plan, or the organisers plan it without a funeral director, there are ways to save money.  

Get expert financial advice

The cost of a basic funeral in the UK has risen 4.7% over 2023 to £4,141 in 2024. There are many associated expenses to take into account, from burial and cremation costs to headstone costs, burial plot fees, and even the purchase of a suitable urn.

While paying the cost of organising a funeral can be a significant financial undertaking, options such as funeral plans, funeral insurance, will provisions and savings transfers can help ensure your loved one receives the send-off they deserve.

Let Unbiased connect you with an expert financial adviser who can provide guidance on funeral expenses, how to keep costs down, and which measures to take to help your loved ones financially in the event of your own passing.

If you found this article informative, you might also find our article on DIY funerals useful, too.