The typical cost of a funeral is now £4,417, up 3.4% in the last year. The average cost of a basic funeral has risen more than 9% in some regions.
The biggest increases were seen in Wales (up 9.4%), the Midlands (9.6%), and the South East and East of England (9.2%).
Overall the cost of dying, including professional fees and flowers now stands at £9,493.
Basic funeral costs included the funeral directors’ fees (£2,687), doctors’ fees (£164), clergy and officiate fees (£169) and the burial or cremation fees.
The average cost of a burial has risen by 65% in the last decade which has led, in part, to burials now accounting for less than a quarter of all funerals.
Cheaper Options?
The costs of a funeral can add up when you include the hire of limousines, the cost of flowers, venue hire and catering. The funeral service itself is one of the main costs with burial the most expensive option.
Some people are choosing direct cremation which is a cremation with no funeral service. The ashes are returned to loved ones to be kept or scattered. Families then arrange a farewell get together seperately.
Direct cremation costs fell by 5% last year to an average £1,626.
