Katie Elliott warns about the rising cost of funerals across the country (Image: Getty)
I know this might seem a bit morbid, so I apologise in advance. But it turns out there’s a third certainty in life after death and taxes – the cost of dealing with the former. The price of a traditional attended funeral jumped 5.3% to average £4,510 last year, SunLife’s latest Cost of Dying Report says. This marks the largest annual increase in a decade.
That alone could be enough to startle you, but the sting really is how wildly prices vary depending on where you live – it’s a postcode lottery, even in death. Brace yourself if you’re in London. Pure Cremation’s research analysing data by country and region showed a traditional funeral in the capital averages £5,710. This works out almost £1,500 more than in Wales, the cheapest place to die at £4,136.
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The gap becomes even more stark when it comes to burials. The average burial funeral in London costs £9,050, compared with £5,092 in the North East. That’s nearly £4,000 more for essentially the same send-off, driven largely by sky-high burial plot prices.
Cremations are cheaper, but not by much. The average cremation funeral comes in at £4,232. Funeral director fees alone can account for up to 60% of the total bill, and even those fees vary dramatically. The most expensive funeral director in Great Britain is located in Devon and charges £4,485 for their services. The cheapest in the country, also located in Devon, charges £812. Same county, same job, but a staggering £3,600 price difference.
What makes this process more difficult is that, despite rules requiring clear price lists, families still struggle to work out the true upfront costs. Pure Cremation’s Ian Atkinson said: “Funeral directors will put a price range next to some items, some will put ‘price on request’, and there will often be a list of extras – such as ‘additional miles’ charges that it is impossible for families to work out in advance. It leaves grieving families vulnerable to hidden costs at the worst possible time.”
What’s terribly sad is the methods people are now using to pay these huge prices. SunLife’s survey showed bereaved families are now turning to crowdfunding (12%) and loan sharks (8%). The savings tip this week is to talk about it early. It’s not a cheery subject by any stretch, but it could save your loved ones thousands of pounds.
Let them know your wishes, compare prices and perhaps consider alternatives, such as direct cremations. These strip out many of the traditional costs and avoid regional price hikes. With prices averaging £1,628, direct cremations are now chosen for 21% of funerals, with the majority of cases involving the deceased having planned the arrangements.
Other options are also available, such as pre-paid funeral plans, to spread costs in advance.
If you receive means-tested benefits, the government will help cover some costs through the Funeral Expenses Payment (or Funeral Support Payment in Scotland). Visit the ‘arranging a funeral’ page on citizensadvice.org.uk for more information.
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DEAL OF THE WEEK
The Great British Rail Sale is a hard deal to beat this week. Until January 12, millions of discounted tickets are available across nearly all operators on the National Rail website. Some tickets have been slashed by as much as 76%, such as routes from Exeter to London, priced at just £10, down from £41.70. The reduced fares are valid for travel between Tuesday (January 13) and March 25.
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Millions of pounds worth of support is being offered up by local councils, and you’ve only got a few months left to claim if you haven’t already. The support is provided through the Government’s Household Support Fund and runs until March 2026.
The scheme is for low-income and vulnerable households struggling with everyday bills. Councils in England receive a share of the fund and decide how to use it locally – some offer food or supermarket vouchers, while others give direct support with energy and water bills. For example, Kent County Council is offering an energy or supermarket voucher worth £90 from 12pm on January 8.
Nottingham City Council is offering 1,000 energy vouchers worth £98 each until Sunday, while Portsmouth City Council is offering up to £200 towards energy or water bills, and supermarket vouchers worth £30 for children under the age of 11.
Some councils automatically distribute the money to eligible households, whereas in other areas, people have to claim it. The problem is that many people either don’t know this support exists or mistakenly believe they won’t qualify. Check your local council’s website or get in touch to see what’s on offer.
The eligibility criteria can differ depending on where you live, and you don’t always need to be on benefits to qualify. The scheme typically operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply as soon as possible.
