Funeral Costs UK: What Could You End Up Paying?

What Costs Should You Expect When Arranging a Funeral?

Attending a funeral is hard enough, but planning a funeral whilst also grieving for a loved one is one of the hardest things that many of us will have to do. 

Beyond the emotional side of things, the stress of planning the actual service and dealing with the admin that surrounds both the service and the death - one of the biggest challenges is the associated financial worries.

Sometimes, these costs can be covered in the will and taken as part of the sum of the estate or in a pre-paid funeral plan. But sometimes a person’s passing may be unexpected and there may be additional costs that you weren’t expecting.

To help alleviate some stress that you may be experiencing or expect to experience in the future, we’ve put together a rough guide of costs associated with a death and funeral. 

This breakdown of what to expect should hopefully help give you more understanding and preparation. There are a few rough price estimates listed but do keep in mind that costs can vary depending on location and change over time.

Administrative Fees Before and After the Funeral

First, it’s useful to remember that admin fees will appear from time to time for certain different services.

This can start long before death. There are associated costs with having a will legally and professionally written, as well as fees for dealing with the will. The cost of a will varies from under £100 to a few hundred, depending on its complexity.

After a death occurs, it needs to be registered. Registering the death itself is free, but certified copies of the death certificate currently cost £12.50 each in England and Wales. You may need copies when dealing with banks, insurance companies, property matters and other parts of the estate.

There will also be fees to expect after the funeral, when dealing with the estate. This includes applying for probate, which gives a person the legal right to deal with someone’s estate (property, money, possessions) after they die. The person who can apply for probate will usually be named as an executor in the will.

The current probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 if the estate is valued at more than £5,000. There is no application fee if the estate is worth £5,000 or less. Extra copies of the probate document cost £2 each if ordered at the same time as the application, or £16 each if requested later.

Prepaid Funeral

Your loved one may have purchased a prepaid funeral plan before they died. These plans can cover some or all of the funeral services specified when the plan was taken out, although exactly what is included depends on the provider and the individual plan.

Prepaid funeral plans have been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority since the 29th of July 2022. If you are considering buying a plan yourself, check that the provider is FCA-authorised and read carefully which costs are guaranteed and which expenses may still need to be paid separately.

Help to Pay 

You may also be able to get help towards funeral costs through the government’s Funeral Expenses Payment. It is available to some people receiving qualifying benefits, but eligibility also depends on your relationship with the person who died and where the funeral takes place.

The payment does not necessarily cover the full funeral bill, so check what support you may receive before committing to costs. Claims can currently be made before the funeral or within 6 months afterwards.

Burial, Cremation Costs and Unattended Funerals

Costs will vary depending on whether a burial or cremation is chosen. Generally, cremations are less expensive, but each has its own uniquely associated costs.

There is also an unattended funeral, which, as the name suggests, involves no service or attendees. This can be done for both burials and cremations, though unattended cremations, also known as direct cremations, still involve the lowest costs. 

Why do people choose unattended ceremonies? The costs are a big factor, but people also choose these options to celebrate life and pay tribute to their lost one in their own way. 

Some people have mixed views on this; they may see an unattended service as disrespectful.

However, as traditions and attitudes change, more people are choosing this option rather than a big service. The most notable example is David Bowie, who had a direct cremation when he died in 2016 because he “wanted to go without a fuss”. 

It’s still entirely understandable that people want a traditional service for family, religious, or personal reasons.

Cremation Costs

A direct cremation is generally one of the lower-cost funeral options because there is no attended service at the crematorium. Prices vary between providers and locations, so compare what is actually included rather than relying only on the advertised headline price.

An attended cremation usually costs more because the total can include the funeral director, coffin, crematorium fee, transport, celebrant and other services. Ask for an itemised quotation so you can see which costs are essential and which are optional.

Burial Costs

For burials you will need to factor in the cost of the burial plot, the coffin, and fees to cover the grave digging. There will also be the costs of the headstone.

For burials you will need to factor in the cost of the burial plot, the coffin, and fees to cover the grave digging. There will also be the costs of the headstone.Choosing a lasting tribute is a deeply personal decision that requires careful thought. Many families prefer to work with experienced professionals who understand the local regulations and installation requirements.

For instance, a trusted provider like Tegeler Monument can help guide you through the selection process, from choosing the right materials to customizing the design. They make sure the final product meets the specific guidelines of the cemetery. This support helps ease the burden during a difficult time and ensures the memorial is installed correctly. The burial plot can vary depending on location and whether the plot is a single or double interment.

Family, usually a married couple, may be buried together in a double plot, sharing a headstone. In a popular cemetery such as somewhere in London, expect costs to be higher. 

Burial plot charges vary considerably between cemeteries and local authorities, and non-residents may sometimes pay higher fees than local residents. Check the cemetery’s current price list before setting a budget.

The cost of a coffin also varies widely depending on the type and design. A simple wooden coffin can cost several hundred, whilst a more elaborate coffin such as a metal casket can cost thousands.

Grave-digging and interment fees are normally charged separately from the burial plot itself, although the way charges are presented varies between cemeteries.

Headstone prices vary considerably depending on the stone, size, lettering, design and installation requirements, as well as the cemetery’s own rules and permit charges.

Additional Costs

Other funeral-associated costs worth mentioning include:

• Flowers – vary on complexity, amount, and florist

• Hearse and additional cars, with prices depending on the funeral director, vehicle type and number of vehicles required.

• Funeral Directors Fees 

• The Service and Celebrant’s Fees

• Venue Hire

These are some of the most common costs you may encounter when arranging a funeral, although every funeral and estate will be different. Prices can vary by location, provider and the choices made by the family, so ask for itemised quotations and check exactly what is included before agreeing to a service.

Understanding the likely costs in advance can make an already difficult process a little easier to manage financially.