Funeral Costs: Explained!

Arranging the funeral of a loved one can be daunting. The following post will help you to understand both the logistics and costs from a funeral, avoiding poor choices and unneeded stress.

Arranging of the Funeral

Funerals are usually arranged by the next of kin, a close family member or a friend. The arrangement can be done through a funeral director or by yourself.

• Arranging a funeral through a Funeral Director:

The average cost for a funeral director is £2,411. It is the most expensive part of the funeral, yet they can save you time and unnecessary stress. The Funeral Director takes responsibility of the logistics and the legal procedures.

All funeral directors must be part of a trade association, such as the NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors), the NFFD (National Federation of Funeral Directors), or the SAIF (Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors). This information is key when deciding on a funeral director, as trade associations ensure your protection if something goes wrong.   

Once you have chosen a funeral director and before paying a deposit, it is essential to ask for a written breakdown of the services and costs with an overall estimate price. As well as helping you to understand the funeral costs, this will serve as prove if something goes wrong.

• Arranging a Funeral by Yourself:

An alternative to using a Funeral Director is to arrange the funeral by yourself, you can find more details on how to do it here. However, this could suppose a higher cost for you, as Funeral Directors get supplier deals.

Paying of the Funeral

The average cost of a traditional burial in the UK is £4,257, while a funeral with cremation is approximately £3,311; the exact cost of both alternatives vary depending on the funeral location and requirements (Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report, 2017).

If the deceased did not have a pre-paid funeral plan or a funeral insurance in place, you will have to pay for the funeral either in advance or through a flexible pay scheme.  You might be able to pay the funeral director through a flexible pay scheme, but you’ll still have to pay for all the services provided by external companies (cemeteries/crematorium, headstone, florist, catering and any other extras).

If you’re on Low Income Benefits you might be eligible for Social Fund benefits; the amount of money depends on your circumstances.