It’s no surprise that in the era of the “JAMs” (a phrase coined by Teresa May in her opening speech as Prime Minister for those “just about managing”), increased debt levels and frightening statistics about rising funeral costs, we’ve seen the terms ‘cheapest funeral’ and ‘cheapest cremation’ become some of the most popular search terms used by the newly bereaved. It’s typical for funerals to be expensive, and while cheap isn’t a term you’d choose for such an emotional event, there are ways to organise a low cost funeral in the UK, without compromising on care, respect and expressing what made your loved one special. According to SunLife, thecost of dyingfor 2024 is around £4,141. This is a 4.7% increase compared to the previous year. A considerable number of people think that the cost of a funeral is the responsibility of the deceased. However, not everyone puts aside sufficient funds to cover their funeral. This can mean those left behind face anxiety, stress and debt when faced with the prospect ofpaying for the send-off.For many families, such a financial responsibility can be very challenging. They may be forced to borrow money from friends and family, take out a loan, pay for it using a credit card, or sell possessions to cover the cost. The other option is to look for cheap funeral packages. Funeral costs can vary considerably, depending on the type of service you choose and whether there are any extras.Funeral costs can be broken downinto basic and additional funeral costs. Basic funeral costs include: On top of this, there can be additional costs such as: While it’s easy to blame the funeral director for the ever-increasing cost of a send-off, we must remember that their professional fees are only part of the picture. Thecost of the cremationitself is beyond the funeral director’s control and can vary greatly depending on where you live and die. The cremation costs for Belfast are just £300, rising to more than £1000 at some of the venues owned by Dignity plc. And not every crematorium operator recognises the need for a “no funeral” option at a lower price, which makes it difficult for many local funeral directors to match the cheapest online offers. Direct cremationis not a “cheap funeral”, it is a distinctive alternative to having a funeral, but it is true that this alternative can be 60% cheaper. A direct cremation also offers greater financial control and flexibility over how you say goodbye, as opposed to the familiar formula offered by most local funeral homes. A provider must offer more than a super-low price. That’s why the Pure Cremation team has drafted the UK’s firstDirect Cremation Code of Practiceand made it easy to find all the information you need. If you’re worried about the future cost of your funeral, cheap funeral plans will protect you against the rising costs. In addition, it allows you to document your final wishes,plan ahead, and pay for your funeral in advance. Some people worry thatfuneral plans aren’t safe, but those offered by members of the Funeral Planning Authority have been scrutinised thoroughly. If you want a cheap funeral plan there are many on the market, and it pays to shop around, but they all have certain benefits in common. The most obvious is that you pay today’s prices for a service you might not need for 20 years or possibly longer. You can also detail your wishes for the service itself, for example, any special readings, flowers, or music you’d like, without involving the family to make such decisions for you. With a low-cost funeral plan, you have full control of your funeral and the type of event you want it to be. Include as much detail as you like, and feel safe knowing that you can change some of your wishes, free of charge, as long as they are within the plan that is. The majority of cheapfuneral plansin the UK provide the option for you to pay for your funeral plan monthly. When you pay for your funeral plan over 12 months, there are usually no additional charges. However, if you pay over a longer-term, an instalment charge might apply. Sold in large numbers between the 1920s and 1960s, though dating back to the 19th century,penny policieswere a type of insurance policy that people took out to specifically cover the cost of their funeral. Penny policies are no longer around, but there are still low-cost options for funeral insurance. Low cost funeral insurance is more accurately described as a whole of life policy and these are more commonly known as Over 50s plans. Your monthly payments depend on the size of the fixed lump sum you've chosen, and on your age. This means everyone should be able to find a plan that fits their budget. Your beneficiary can use the lump sum for any purpose from your funeral expenses to settling bills and debts. There are some significant disadvantages to these plans - the fixed lump sum rarely keeps up with inflation, if you live a long time you can end up paying more than is paid out and as these aren't specific funeral plans, your family will still need to make all those decisions about the funeral arrangements. There are many differenttypes of funeral services. But, an increasing number of people are looking for a more affordable, no-frills approach that they get with simple funeral services. What is a simple funeral? It has the same structure as a traditional funeral, but simple funeral costs are lower. There will, however, have to be a few compromises. Most crematorium operators offer some lower cost bookings. The least expensive cremation times are typically first thing in the morning and may only be available on certain weekdays. Funeral directors may limit what they offer in their lowest-cost packages - for example they won't include dressing and preparing the deceased, viewing the deceased in their chapel of rest or limousines for mourners. The coffin will typically be a very simple, wood-effect design without any decoration. The cost of things like flowers depends on a family's budget and preferences - garden flowers and single roses are good options and there are even companies offering to hire silk arrangements that can be personalised with printed ribbon. Holding the wake at home or in your garden is another way to control costs, and better still you can invite everyone to feel part of the event by bringing food and drink to share. It’s perfectly obvious that a very simple cremation held separately from the farewell party shouldn’t cost the earth, but it’s interesting to note that when families feel listened to and charged fairly, the exact ‘number’ in the price becomes far less important. If there are no family members or friends and no funds in the estate then there are safety net options which will achieve a simple, respectful send-off that you can attend. There will be restrictions around the time of day and the level of service provided but these farewells should not be referred to aspaupers' funeralsbecause the arrangements will be handled by the same staff, facilities and vehicles as the contracted funeral director would offer any family. Where to turn: In both cases it can take a number of weeks to process any application for this kind of assistance and some local authorities will not allow the family to have the ashes afterwards. If you needhelp with funeral costs, you may be able to get financial assistance from the government, charities, and other options. Funeral costs can easily stack up. It is possible to reduce them by opting for cheap funeral services, but you might still need help to pay for a funeral. If you’re looking for financial assistance, there are a few options that may be available. The Department of Work and Pensions has two schemes that offer financial help to the bereaved. The Funeral Expenses Payment and the Bereavement Support Payment may not cover everything, but they can soften the financial blow. TheFuneral Expenses Paymentis a one-off means-tested payment intended to support people on certain benefits. TheBereavement Support Paymentis a one-off payment that is available to a spouse or civil partner of the person who has died. You might also be eligible for a budgeting loan if you are on qualifying benefits such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment, and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit. There are lots of different charities that can offer some financial assistance and emotional support. The Armed Forces support veterans and their families, some employers operate benevolent funds for existing staff, their families and even former employees. Here are some other examples: There are many ways you can make your funeral more affordable. One excellent way is to arrange alow cost funeral plan. Lock the cost in at today’s prices and make arrangements that suit you. You can choose the payment option that suits your budget - one lump sum, a fixed number of instalments or on-going monthly payments, based on your age, that won't change over time. If you’re ready to start making arrangements for a low-cost funeral, we’d love to hear from you today.How much does a cheap funeral cost?
The average cost of a funeral in the UK
Understanding funeral costs
The cheapest option for a funeral: direct cremation
Discover low cost funeral plans in the UK
See options for cheap funeral insurance
Pros of a low cost funeral insurance
Cons of a cheap funeral insurance
Plan a simple funeral service
Example of a simple funeral program
What if a family can’t afford a funeral at all
Seek extra help with funeral costs
Does the government help with funeral costs?
Charities that may help with funeral expenses
Start your low cost funeral arrangements
FAQs
What is the least expensive way to have a funeral? ›
Cremation is generally cheaper than burial
The cost of cremation is lower for a few reasons including: There's no embalming or dressing of the person who's died, and families do not view the body. Scattering ashes does not cost anything as you do not need a permit (just the landowner's permission).
You don't necessarily need to worry about what happens to your body if you can't afford a funeral. Signing a form at the county coroner can authorize the release of your body to the state or county for burial or cremation. It may be possible to pay a fee to recover your ashes if your family would like them.
What is the cheapest funeral possible? ›So-called direct cremations and direct burials are the cheapest. These are sometimes specified in the funeral plans people have made for themselves before they pass on. With a direct funeral, no mourners will attend because there won't be a formal service.
How do I keep my funeral costs down? ›- Research Funeral Homes.
- Find a Budget-Friendly Casket.
- Decide on a Direct Burial.
- Consider Cremation.
- Use Your Own Urn.
- Have the Funeral at Church.
- Go Green.
- Have a Home Funeral.
Direct cremation is a simple and affordable alternative to a funeral. The crematorium will collect the deceased and conduct a cremation immediately, with no service (note there are waiting periods in some states). Then they'll return the ashes to you, and you can choose how you'd like to memorialize them.
What is the biggest expense of a funeral? ›The most expensive part of a funeral is typically the basic services fee of a funeral home. The median cost of basic services fees is about $2,300.
What happens if nobody wants to pay for a funeral? ›If you cannot afford a burial or cremation, you can sign a form with the county coroner's office and the state will bury or cremate the body for you. This will be at no cost, but you won't have any say in where or how.
Is $10,000 enough for a funeral? ›Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Funerals
The median cost of a funeral is almost $8,000, but can range to over $10,000 depending on the options you choose.
A simple funeral is an affordable, sometimes no frills, alternative to a traditional funeral, often provided without many of the more traditional funeral elements such as pallbearers and limousines. This means a simple funeral will usually cost less than a traditional funeral.
How many people Cannot afford a funeral? ›At a time when 40 percent of Americans can't even afford an unexpected expense of just $400, according to the Federal Reserve, the notion of a proper funeral and burial has become, for many people, an unattainable luxury.
What is the cheapest burial process? ›
Affordable Burial, sometimes known as Immediate or Direct Burial, is the burial of a body without embalming, viewing or services. It includes basic services fee and transportation of the body from the place of death to the cemetery. The average cost of a basic casket is included.
What is cheaper than a funeral? ›In general, cremation tends to be less expensive than burial.
What is the most expensive thing about a funeral? ›A casket often is the single most expensive item you'll buy if you plan a "traditional" full-service funeral. Caskets vary widely in style and price and are sold primarily for their visual appeal.
Why are funerals so expensive now? ›Investing in a funeral service covers more than the day itself. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.), which must be factored into the cost of a funeral.
What is the cheapest alternative to burial? ›Low-cost cremation options in Southern California
For many families, direct cremation is the most cost-effective funeral arrangement available. Direct cremation means your loved one's remains are cremated shortly after death without embalming. The average time between death and cremation is only 10 days.
If you're wondering why cremation is less expensive, one of the main reasons is that traditional burials involve additional costs associated with purchasing a casket and a burial plot, which typically also requires a burial vault and an opening-and-closing ceremony.
Can I be buried without a coffin? ›The short answer is yes, you can be buried in the ground without a casket. This is known as green burial, or sometimes even a natural burial. In fact, these types of burials are becoming increasingly popular as people become more concerned about the environmental impact of traditional burial practices.