The average price of funerals fell slightly in 2021 and 2022 according to insurer SunLife. However, its 2024 Cost of Dying report shows a return to the long-term rise in funeral costs, with the average price of a basic funeral increasing to £4,141 in 2023.
SunLife’s annual report, first published in 2004, has tracked a 126% increase in average funeral costs over the last 20 years.
The total cost of dying
SunLife calculates the average total cost of dying at £9,658 for 2023, up 5% from 2022. This figure includes funeral fees, the cost of a send-off (such as a wake or optional extras like flowers or catering) and professional fees relating to estate administration.
Funeral fees represent the biggest portion of this expense, accounting for more than 40% of the total. The average cost for a basic funeral is calculated based on a burial or cremation, funeral director fees, a mid-range coffin, one limousine, and fees for a doctor and minister or celebrant.
Burial and cremation costs
The actual cost of a funeral depends on the type of funeral chosen. Average burial costs are the highest at £5,077 in 2023. An average standard cremation was £3,795, while an average direct cremation was £1,498.
For the first time, SunLife has reported the average cost of direct burial. Similar to direct cremations, direct burials do not include a service. With an average cost of £1,657 these are significantly less expensive than a standard burial, but direct cremation remains the cheapest funeral option.
Regional variations
Funeral costs continue to vary greatly across the UK. London remains the most costly place for a funeral in the country with an average cost of £5,171. Northern Ireland is the least expensive area, with an average price of £3,356.
Send-off costs
SunLife defines send-off costs as ‘the optional extras that can make a funeral more personal to the deceased and their loved ones’. These optional extras - such as transport, catering, wake, and flowers - averaged £2,768 in 2023. This total includes:
Death notice £81 Funeral notice £93 Order of service £111 Flowers £220 Venue hire £347 Limousine hire £402 Catering £467 Memorial £1,037
Where can I save money on funeral costs?
Cutting back on send-off costs is a common way to reduce overall funeral expenses. Only 42% of people choose to spend on a memorial, by far the most expensive item included in SunLife’s send-off list. By comparison, 72% spend on funeral flowers*.
Opting for a direct cremation or direct burial is one of the biggest ways to save on the cost of a funeral. The average cost of a direct cremation was £2,297 cheaper than a standard cremation in 2023. The average cost of a direct burial was £3,420 cheaper than a standard burial.
At Golden Charter, we have five funeral plans to choose from so whatever type of service or send-off you’d like, you’ll be able to pick the plan that best suits your needs and budget. Our plans include options for a variety of coffins from a basic coffin to a superior. Selected plans can also include up to two limousines for transporting family to and from the service. This may be another area where you may choose to opt-out to save a bit more.
What can I do to prepare for the cost of a funeral?
Despite the average cost of a funeral falling slightly in 2021 and 2022, funeral costs are rising again. SunLife predicts the average cost of a basic funeral will reach £5,126 by 2028.
Starting from just £25.19 per month*, a funeral plan with Golden Charter locks in the cost of the funeral director services included in the plan at today’s prices. Our plans also include an allowance towards third party costs. These are for other essential services such as cremation or burial fees, and the minister or officiant’s fee to perform the service. These are outside of the funeral director’s control but will need to be paid for at the time of the funeral. The value of any allowance in your plan for third party costs may grow over time. However, there may be more to pay for third party costs if they exceed the allowance in your plan at the time of the funeral.
When the time comes, just one call to your funeral director is all that’s needed to activate your plan and everything will be carried out according to your wishes.
