EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COST OF A UK FUNERAL
You may be wondering how much a funeral in the UK costs the ways you can keep costs under control especially if you are on a tight budget. Worry not—in this article, we’ll provide you with a breakdown of all the fees that go into the total costs of a funeral. Additionally, we’ll offer some money-saving tips, information on pricey areas, and a useful local funeral cost calculator to compute your expected payment.
The Average Cost of a UK Funeral
In the UK, the average cost of a funeral is £3,946 for cremation and £4,893 for burial. This already includes the burial or cremation fees, funeral director's fees, medical fees, and the fees of a minister. However, that's not the whole story: everything from where you live in the country to who your funeral director is can have a significant impact on the cost of a funeral.
Cremation
The cremation or cemetery fee will account for a significant portion of the overall cost of a funeral, typically accounting for one-third to one-half of the total. This fee is set by the cemetery or crematorium's owner.
The average cost of a cremation in the United Kingdom is £787, while the average cost of a burial is £1,857. Cremation is approximately 42% less expensive than burial, with the total average cost of a funeral with cremation coming in at £3,946.
Aside from the standard crematorium fees, there are a few other cremation costs to consider:
The cost of a cremation urn ranges between £50 and £300, depending on the urn selected.
Doctors' fees for cremation forms are £164, or £0 in Scotland. If you wish to rest your loved one's ashes in a cemetery, the cost ranges between £100 and £1,700.
Saving on Cremation Fees
● Opt for direct cremation. Because of the rising funeral expenses, many crematoria are now offering a less expensive option known as "direct cremation." This simple cremation is performed without a service.
● Choose a less popular time. You can also save money if the cremation is performed early in the morning or on a weekday.
● Check to see if there is a fee for scattering ashes in a cemetery or memorial garden. Many cemeteries let visitors scatter ashes for free, while others charge a fee.
Burial
The final cost of a burial is composed of the interment, or 'digging' fee, and the Exclusive Right of Burial fee, which is paid to the cemetery's owner to lease the land. In the United Kingdom, the average cost of a burial is £1,857, which is significantly higher than the cremation cost.
Aside from cemetery fees, you may want to think about:
● The cost of a headstone, which ranges between £800 and £5,000
● Grave upkeep costs, which are around £40 for lawn mowing and general tidying, and £150+ for professional headstone cleaning
Saving on Burial Fees
● Make a green choice. Natural or woodland burials can be less expensive, with the Woodland Burial Trust citing a burial fee of £800 (not including the digging fee).
● Keep it close to home. Cemeteries typically charge non-parishioners higher burial fees.
● Choose a less popular time. Burial costs are often lower on weekdays in the UK, as they are with cremation.
● Select a private burial. It is perfectly legal to skip the burial fees entirely and bury someone on private land as long as you secure the owner’s permission. It's also a good idea to consult with the local government, though opinions differ on whether this is strictly necessary.
Conclusion
With the simple guide above, it will now become easier for you to compute your expected costs and manage your finances.
If you need direct funeral services, turn to Holmes Funerals. Located in Fleet, we are a family-owned and run business that carries out funerals in Sandhurst, Camberley, Farnborough, Aldershot, Staines, Ashford, and Sunbury-on-Thames. Give us a call today.