The Average Cost of a Funeral in the UK
The average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,141 according to SunLife's Cost of Dying Report 2024. This makes arranging a funeral one of the most significant unexpected expenses a family can face. Understanding exactly what you are paying for — and what choices you have — is essential to ensuring a dignified farewell without unnecessary financial hardship.
According to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), which represents funeral directing businesses conducting over 80% of all UK funerals, the sector is committed to transparent pricing. Since 2021, funeral directors are required to publish their price lists publicly, making it easier than ever to compare costs before making a decision.
Breaking Down Funeral Costs: What You Are Actually Paying For
A funeral bill is typically divided into two distinct categories: funeral director fees and disbursements. Understanding the difference helps you identify where savings can be made and what costs are largely fixed.
Funeral Director Fees
These are the charges levied directly by the funeral director for their professional services. They generally include:
- Collection and transfer of the deceased – bringing your loved one into their care, typically from a hospital, care home, or private address
- Care of the deceased – hygienic preparation, embalming if requested, and respectful storage
- Coffin – the cost of the coffin varies enormously; a simple wood-effect coffin may cost £300–£600, while a solid oak coffin can cost £1,500 or more
- Use of chapel of rest – allowing family members to visit and pay their respects before the funeral
- Hearse and bearers – transport to the service venue and pallbearers to carry the coffin
- Funeral director's professional fees – co-ordinating all arrangements, registrations, and third-party communications
The average funeral director fee in the UK is approximately £2,100–£2,600, though this varies considerably between providers and regions.
Disbursements: Third-Party Costs
Disbursements are costs that the funeral director pays on your behalf to third parties. These are largely non-negotiable and represent a significant portion of the total bill:
- Cremation fee – cremation costs an average of £950–£1,100 at a local authority crematorium. Private crematoria can charge more.
- Burial fee – a new grave in a local authority cemetery typically costs £1,200–£4,000 depending on location. In London, new grave plots can exceed £10,000 in some boroughs.
- Minister or celebrant fee – a Church of England minister charges a set fee (currently around £235 for a funeral and committal). An independent celebrant typically charges £200–£400.
- Death certificates – you will need multiple certified copies; each costs £11 in England and Wales (from April 2024), and you typically need 5–10 copies for financial and legal purposes.
- Doctor's fees (cremation paperwork) – if opting for cremation, two doctors must complete statutory forms. This fee was abolished in 2024 following government reform, saving families approximately £170.
The Full Cost of a Funeral: A Typical Breakdown
The table below shows a typical breakdown for both a cremation and a burial funeral in the UK in 2024:
| Cost Component | Cremation Funeral | Burial Funeral |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral director fees | £2,200 | £2,200 |
| Cremation / burial fee | £1,000 | £2,000 |
| Minister / celebrant | £250 | £250 |
| Death certificates (x5) | £55 | £55 |
| Flowers | £150 | £150 |
| Order of service printing | £80 | £80 |
| Estimated Total | £3,735 | £4,735 |
These figures exclude wake catering, memorial headstones, and obituary notices. A gravestone or memorial can add a further £700–£3,000 to the overall cost of a burial.
Regional Variations in Funeral Costs
Where you live has a significant impact on what you will pay. According to SunLife's research, funeral costs in London are on average 25–35% higher than the national average, reflecting higher property costs, staff wages, and cemetery fees in the capital.
By contrast, funerals in Yorkshire and the Humber, Northern Ireland, and parts of Wales tend to be the most affordable in the UK. In some rural areas, local authority burial plots remain available at costs well below the national average.
Regional averages for a basic funeral (funeral director fees plus cremation):
- London: £5,200–£6,500
- South East: £4,500–£5,500
- Midlands: £3,500–£4,500
- North of England: £3,200–£4,000
- Scotland: £3,400–£4,200
- Wales: £3,000–£3,800
Optional Extras: What Can Push the Cost Up
The figures above represent a standard funeral. Many families choose additional services that can significantly increase the final bill:
- Limousine hire – a family limousine typically costs £250–£400
- Floral tributes – a coffin spray can cost £100–£350; additional arrangements vary widely
- Wake catering – a buffet reception for 50 guests at a local venue can cost £500–£1,500
- Live music or organist – typically £150–£350
- Funeral notice in a newspaper – £80–£250 depending on the publication
- Embalming – typically £80–£150 if requested; it is not compulsory in the UK
- Upgraded coffin – moving from a standard coffin to solid wood or an eco-coffin can add £300–£1,500
- Live streaming the service – increasingly popular; costs £100–£350
Direct Cremation: The Most Affordable Option
The fastest growing option in the UK funeral market is direct cremation, which typically costs between £895 and £1,500. In a direct cremation, the deceased is collected, cremated without a formal service, and the ashes returned to the family. There is no attendance at the crematorium; instead, families hold their own memorial at a time and place of their choosing.
According to Cremation Society data, direct cremation now accounts for approximately 15–20% of all UK cremations, a figure that has risen sharply since 2020. See our guide to direct cremation for a full explanation of the process, costs, and how to arrange one.
How to Get an Accurate Funeral Quote
Since 2021, all NAFD member funeral directors are required to publish a clear and itemised price list, including a simple funeral package. You can request quotes from multiple funeral directors to compare costs. When requesting a quote, always ask for:
- An itemised breakdown distinguishing funeral director fees from disbursements
- The cost of different coffin options
- Whether embalming is included or optional
- All transport costs (collection, hearse, family limousine)
- The cost of the cremation or burial fee for your preferred venue
The NAFD's Code of Practice requires member funeral directors to provide a written estimate before proceeding and a clear itemised account after the funeral. If you have concerns about pricing or service quality, the NAFD operates a formal complaints procedure.
Financial Help: Can You Get Assistance Paying for a Funeral?
Several sources of financial help are available for families who cannot afford a funeral:
Funeral Expenses Payment (DWP)
The government's Funeral Expenses Payment (also known as the Funeral Payment) is available to those on qualifying benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, and several others. It covers the full cost of burial or cremation fees, up to £1,000 for other expenses, and the costs of one return journey within the UK to help arrange the funeral. Apply through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) within six months of the funeral.
Budgeting Loans
If you are on qualifying benefits, you may be able to claim a Budgeting Loan from the government to help cover funeral costs. These are interest-free and repaid through deductions from your ongoing benefit payments.
The Deceased's Estate
Funeral costs are typically the first charge on a deceased person's estate and can be paid directly from their bank account before probate is granted. Contact the deceased's bank with a copy of the death certificate and the funeral director's invoice.
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
If the deceased had taken out a pre-paid funeral plan, the cost of the funeral may already be covered. These plans are now regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). See our guide to pre-paid funeral plans for full details.
Tips for Managing Funeral Costs
- Compare at least three quotes – funeral costs vary significantly between providers even in the same town.
- Consider direct cremation – a growing number of families choose a direct cremation and hold a separate memorial, dramatically reducing costs.
- Be clear about what is essential – not every tradition is compulsory. You are under no obligation to purchase embalming, limousines, or specific flowers.
- Ask about eco-friendly coffins – wicker, cardboard, and shroud options are often cheaper than traditional wooden coffins and have a lower environmental impact.
- Check for a council funeral – if there is no money in the estate and no one can pay, the local council has a duty to arrange a simple funeral (known as a Public Health Funeral or pauper's funeral).
- Use the deceased's bank account – most banks will release funds to pay funeral costs before probate, avoiding the need to fund the funeral yourself initially.
This guide is provided by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), which represents funeral directing businesses conducting over 80% of all UK funerals. Find a trusted NAFD funeral director near you.
