Planning a funeral at a difficult time requires clear, practical financial information. This UK funeral cost calculator gives you an estimated total cost breakdown based on your chosen funeral type, service style and additional requirements. UK average funeral costs are £4,141 for a burial and £3,290 for a cremation in 2026.
| Cost Item | Typical UK Range | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL |
Full service with hearse, burial plot, coffin, ceremony. Most traditional option.
Service at crematorium chapel followed by cremation. Ashes returned to family.
Lowest cost option. No ceremony, ashes returned. Family can hold memorial separately.
Eco-friendly burial in woodland or meadow with biodegradable coffin. Growing in popularity.
This is the core fee charged by the funeral director for arranging and managing all aspects of the funeral. It includes collection and care of the deceased, preparation, administration, and use of their facilities. Typical costs range from £1,500 for a basic arranged funeral to £4,000 or more for a comprehensive traditional service from a premium provider.
The cremation fee is paid to the crematorium and covers the use of the crematorium and the cremation itself. In 2026 this typically costs £900 to £1,500, with significant regional variation. London and the South East tend to have higher fees. Some crematoria offer off-peak time slots at reduced rates.
The cost of a burial plot varies enormously by location. In rural England a new grave in a local cemetery might cost £1,000 to £2,000. In London the same plot can cost £5,000 to £10,000 or more in some boroughs. A natural burial plot typically costs £1,000 to £3,000. Churchyard burials for parishioners may be subsidised or free in some cases.
If a church service is held before burial or cremation, the church may charge a fee. Fees typically range from £200 to £600 including the officiant. For a humanist or civil ceremony held at a neutral venue, the venue hire and celebrant together typically cost £300 to £800.
A basic coffin is usually included in the funeral director's package. Upgrading to a premium hand-crafted wooden coffin can add £500 to £2,000. Eco coffins in wicker, bamboo or wool typically cost £400 to £900. A cardboard coffin for direct cremation may cost as little as £100 to £200.
Each certified copy of the death certificate costs £11. You will typically need multiple copies to deal with banks, insurance companies, pension providers, the probate registry and government departments. Most families need 3 to 10 copies depending on the complexity of the estate.
Funeral flowers range from a simple single spray at £100 to extensive floral tributes at £500 or more. Many families request donations to a charity in lieu of flowers, which can both honour the deceased's wishes and significantly reduce this cost element.
A wake or reception after the funeral service can range from a simple gathering at home with home-made refreshments (minimal cost) to a catered reception in a hired venue for 60+ guests (£2,000 to £4,000). A mid-range reception at a pub or function room with buffet food typically costs £500 to £1,500.
A standard headstone typically costs £600 to £1,500 including installation. Premium carved granite or marble headstones can cost £2,000 to £5,000. Cemetery rules vary on permitted headstone styles and sizes. A memorial plaque is a lower-cost alternative at £200 to £600. Natural burial grounds often only permit natural markers such as wooden stakes or native plants.
If you are responsible for paying for a funeral and are receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP. This is a one-off grant that does not need to be repaid from your own assets, though it may be recovered from the deceased's estate.
You may qualify if you or your partner are receiving any of the following: Universal Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element.
You must apply within 6 months of the date of the funeral. Claims are made via the DWP on the gov.uk website. The payment goes towards the funeral costs; if costs exceed the payment, you remain responsible for the remainder.
A pre-paid funeral plan lets you lock in today's prices for your own funeral. You pay a lump sum or in instalments. When the time comes, your chosen funeral director carries out the agreed services at no additional cost to your family. Since July 2022, all UK funeral plan providers must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Look for the FCA authorisation number before buying.
Many over-50s life insurance policies are designed specifically to cover funeral costs. A typical policy paying out £5,000 to £10,000 is usually sufficient for most funeral arrangements. Whole-of-life policies guarantee a payout regardless of when you die. Compare premiums carefully; some policies pay out less than the total premiums paid if you live a long time.
Funeral costs can usually be paid from the deceased's bank accounts before probate is granted. Most banks will release funds specifically for funeral expenses on presentation of the funeral director's invoice. This is often the simplest way to fund a funeral when there are sufficient funds in the estate.
If your spouse or civil partner dies and you are below state pension age, you may be entitled to Bereavement Support Payment: a lump sum of £3,500 (or £2,500 if you do not have children) plus up to 18 monthly payments of £350 (or £100). While not specifically for funerals, this payment can help with costs in the months following bereavement.
| Cost Element | Direct Cremation | Simple Cremation | Traditional Burial | Natural Burial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral director fee | £700–£1,200 | £1,200–£2,000 | £1,500–£4,000 | £1,000–£2,500 |
| Cremation / burial fee | £100–£300 | £900–£1,500 | — | — |
| Burial plot | — | — | £1,000–£5,000+ | £1,000–£3,000 |
| Church / venue / celebrant | — | £0–£400 | £200–£600 | £150–£500 |
| Coffin | Included | Included | £400–£2,000+ | £200–£900 |
| Death certificates (x3) | £33 | £33 | £33 | £33 |
| Flowers (optional) | — | £100–£300 | £150–£500 | £100–£400 |
| Wake (optional) | — | £200–£1,000 | £500–£3,000 | £200–£1,500 |
| Headstone (optional) | — | — | £600–£1,500+ | Natural marker |
| Typical Total | £700–£1,500 | £1,800–£3,000 | £3,500–£8,000+ | £2,000–£5,000 |
The average funeral cost in the UK is £4,141 for a burial and £3,290 for a cremation in 2026 according to SunLife research. A direct cremation (the cheapest option) typically costs £700 to £1,500. Full traditional funerals including wake, flowers and headstone can easily exceed £6,000 to £8,000. Use our calculator above to estimate costs for your specific requirements.
A direct cremation is the simplest and most affordable type of funeral. The deceased is collected and cremated without a formal public service or viewing. There is no hearse parade, no coffin carried into a church and no ceremony at the crematorium. The cost is typically £700 to £1,500. The ashes are returned to the family who can hold a private celebration of life at any time and location of their choosing.
The DWP Funeral Expenses Payment helps towards the cost of a funeral if you are receiving certain means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Income Support. The payment covers the full cost of a burial or cremation fee plus up to £700 for other funeral expenses. You must apply within 6 months of the funeral date. The payment may be recovered from the deceased's estate.
A funeral plan lets you pre-pay for your funeral at today's prices, protecting your family from future cost increases. You pay either a lump sum or in instalments. When you die your nominated funeral director carries out the agreed services at no further charge to your estate. Since July 2022, all UK funeral plan providers must be regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Always check the provider's FCA registration before purchasing.
A burial plot in the UK typically costs £1,000 to £5,000 depending on location. London and the South East have significantly higher prices, with some council cemeteries in London charging over £7,000 for a new grave. Prices in rural England and Scotland tend to be lower. Natural woodland burial plots typically cost £1,000 to £3,000. Churchyard burials may be free or low-cost for regular parishioners at the discretion of the church.
The cheapest UK funeral option is a direct cremation at £700 to £1,500, followed by a simple attended cremation at around £1,500 to £2,500. A natural burial in a woodland site can also be cost-effective at £2,000 to £3,500 all-in. You can further reduce costs by requesting donations to charity in lieu of flowers, holding the wake at home rather than a hired venue, and providing your own catering.
Many over-50s life insurance and whole-of-life policies are specifically designed to cover funeral costs. A policy paying out £5,000 to £10,000 should cover most UK funeral arrangements. Whole-of-life policies guarantee a payout regardless of when death occurs. If you already hold life insurance check whether the payout is sufficient to cover funeral costs before taking out a separate funeral plan, as there may be overlap.