How much does a funeral cost?
What makes up the cost of a funeral?
The cost of a funeral is made up of the fee for the funeral director’s services, as well as your choice of burial or cremation and the optional extras you choose.
The funeral director’s services
The majority of the cost of a funeral is usually for the funeral director’s services, averaging out at £2,687*. All Golden Charter plans are inclusive of the funeral director’s services and include advice on guidance for your loved ones, the coffin and an allowance towards third-party costs to help cover costs at the time of need.
Burial or cremation?
The second largest cost involved with funerals is usually the price for burial or cremation. Whilst this is a personal decision, your choice may be influenced by the cost.
The average cost of a funeral with a cremation is £3,858, whilst the cost of a funeral with a burial is £4,975*. The cost of both burial and cremation has increased 3-4% in the last year, and as cremations are often the most affordable option, it’s no surprise that they’re on the rise, whilst we see the number of burials falling.
Growing in popularity is the direct cremation option - basically a cremation with no funeral service or attendees - the cost of which has reduced by 5% to £1,626 in the last year*.
Additional funeral costs
The total cost of your funeral is also dependent on any additional extras you choose such as flowers, limousines, headstones, memorials or catering for the wake. Research tells us that these extras can cost on average £2,306*.
We all want to give our loved ones the perfect send off, but bear in mind that these added extras are completely optional, and their costs may be higher or lower dependent on a number of factors, such as where you live in the UK*:
Flowers
£184
Catering
£408
Order of Service
£88
Venue Hire
£245
Funeral Notice
£82
Limousines
£313
Memorial
£910
Regional variations in funeral costs
Just like the cost of living, the cost of dying can vary greatly depending on where you live in the UK.
The people of Northern Ireland benefit from the lowest average funeral cost at £3,489, 21% lower than the national average*. At £3,871, funeral costs in Wales are also below the national average *.
You won't be surprised to hear that London is the most expensive place in the UK to organise a funeral, at £5,693 it's more than 35% above the national average.
Average funeral costs in the UK regions *:
| UK Region | Average funeral cost |
|---|---|
| London | £5,963 |
| South East / East of England | £4,881 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | £4,656 |
| East / West Midlands | £4,582 |
| South West England | £4,522 |
| Scotland | £4,277 |
| North East England | £4,154 |
| Wales | £3,871 |
| North West England | £3,815 |
| Northern Ireland | £3,489 |
We offer a range of Funeral Plans that can fix the cost of the funeral director's services at today's prices, helping to save your family worry and expense at what can be a very difficult and stressful time. Many of our customers have told us that this can be a big weight off the mind.
