5 Ways to Save Money on Funeral Costs
Dying is expensive. The cost of a traditional burial in the UK is now at an average of £4,257. A cheaper alternative is opting for a funeral with cremation, which is approximately £3,311. However, the exact cost of both alternatives fluctuates depending on location and requirements for the funeral (Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2017).
Most shoppers over pay as a result of having to shop while grieving. The following tips will help you to avoid overpaying and to ensure the right funeral service:
- Shop around: As a result of grief, people tend to forget to shop around and stick with the same provider as a family member or a friend. You have to shop around to find the best deal that suits you, as you would do with any other purchase. For this reason, industry insiders advise planning ahead for your own funeral and/or your loved ones.
- Get a funeral plan: you can help your loved ones by preplanning your funeral through a pre-paid funeral plan. As its name implies, it enables you to plan each detail for your funeral for today’s costs. Planning ahead makes financial sense because you pay for today’s prices. After all, the price of UK funerals has already more than doubled since 2004.
- Opt for a cremation: nowadays, cremations account for 75% of funerals in the UK according to the Cremation Society of Britain. This preference makes financial sense, as cremations are cheaper on both the short and the long term. The average for a burial plot is between £1,000 and £3,000. However, you never actually own the plot, which means that you only buy the rights of burial for a set period of time. Once this expired, you will have to repay to continue to own the right for the burial plot.
- Opt for a disposal-only cremation: at £1,000, is the cheapest funeral option. However, it does not involve an actual ceremony. Alternatively, you could opt for a wake at a later date.
- Get buried under a tree: a cheaper and non-traditional alternative to being buried in a cemetery. You can either opt to be buried on your back garden or in a woodland burial ground. Depending on your choice, prior to the funeral you will have to either contact the Environment Agency or The Natural Death Centre for guidance.
