Confused by funeral costs?

Trying to find out how much a funeral costs, especially at what is often an emotional time, can be difficult.

Costs for a funeral service can vary depending on what you’d like and funeral directors often present their costs publicly in different ways, if at all, making it difficult to compare like-for-like costs.

This blog aims to give an understanding of how to work out the rough cost and what options are available to pay for a funeral.

What is the cost of a funeral in the UK in 2022?

According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2022 the average cost of a funeral in 2021 was £4,056. A funeral is usually split into two areas:

• costs payable to the funeral director known as professional services;
• disbursements - payments to third parties such as officiants and doctors etc on your behalf.

Is there a cheaper funeral option?

There is a funeral that is growing in popularity, due to its low cost; the unattended funeral or “direct cremation”. The direct cremation or unattended funeral is a funeral without a service utilising an early slot at a local crematorium or in some cases a private crematorium.

Is there a direct cremation service near me?

Tom Owen and Son offer a direct cremation or unattended funeral service near you. As a funeral director covering Llandudno, Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Deganwy, Rhos on Sea and Penrhyn Bay we believe it is important to use a local crematorium for all of our services. Tom Owen and Son Funeral Director use Colwyn Bay Crematorium for our direct cremation funeral service.

You can see more information about our direct cremation funeral service on our Plan a Funeral page.

What costs are included in a funeral bill?

Every funeral is unique and the cost of an attended funeral will largely depend on the options chosen for the service including:

• whether you’re considering burial or cremation;
• the coffin;
• floral tributes;
• limousines;
• funeral notice/obituary;
• a funeral tea/wake.

Some funeral directors offer set prices and packages, however, these don’t always include everything you’d expect resulting in hidden charges. We’d suggest contacting local, trusted funeral directors for a quote. Getting like-for-like quotes ensures you don’t receive prices for very different services.

How do I pay for a Funeral?

You may be asked for a deposit or the whole funeral to be paid upfront or, like us, they may pay for everything on your behalf. A final bill is issued within 14 days of the funeral taking place. It may be an option to pay by instalments if you discuss with your funeral director.

Most banks and building societies will, upon receipt of the bill and copy of the Death Certificate, pay the bill directly from the deceased’s account rather than waiting for it to be paid from the estate.

You may be entitled to Government support (a Funeral Expenses Payment) if you meet certain criteria. The payment won’t cover all costs and how much you receive will depend on your circumstances.

Some grants are available for certain professions, if the deceased person worked in a trade or industry for two years or more. Speak to the HR department for more information.

Our Financial Advice page gives more information and links on the support available.