How to get help with funeral costs

Laying a wreath on a coffin
| 5 min read Financial Assistance

Grieving the loss of a loved one while worrying about the cost of funeral services can be overwhelming. Often, burial expenses can get in the way of planning a proper ceremony and honouring them properly among family and friends. So how much does a funeral cost exactly?

The cost of a funeral can be substantial. On average, you can expect to pay between £4,000 and £7,000 in funeral expenses. This can include the viewing, burial, service fees, transport, casket, embalming, and other costs.

Today, many families turn to crowdfunding for funerals to cover the cost of funeral services and create a new way for friends and family to support each other emotionally through this difficult time.

Cost of funeral services

Families often contact a funeral home to begin preparations when a loved one passes away. It’s important not to go alone and take an impartial party to help deal with sensitive decisions. The general price list covers tasks, including basic service fees, embalming, and funeral home cost. 

If you’re wondering how much a funeral home service is, here’s an overview of some current prices:

Cemetery and burial costs

For burials, there is usually a procession to the cemetery for the burial of the body after the service at the funeral home. The associated funeral costs of a typical burial are listed on the general price list. These costs can add up quickly, including transportation of the remains, a burial plot, and a casket.

  • The cost of transporting the body from the funeral home to the cemetery in a hearse is between £200 and £300.
  • Securing a plot of land for burial is another funeral expense and can vary in the UK – from £600 to £1,100.
  • The casket can be an important element of the funeral in many traditions, but it can also be one of the priciest. Often, funeral homes offer a selection of basic caskets regulated under the general price list, but you can bypass these options and find a more expensive casket. The average cost of caskets can vary from £150 for a cheap one to £10,000 for the top of the range model, according to Sunlife.

Cremation and memorial service costs

A cremation or  memorial service offers flexibility and is usually less expensive for families looking to avoid both the process and cost of funeral services. A memorial involves a celebration of life but may vary from a funeral according to the family’s traditions, beliefs, and wishes. 

Here’s an overview of the average cost of a funeral typically associated with memorials and cremation:

  • According to the Royal London report, private crematoriums account for 38% of all cremations – they tend to charge higher fees than ones owned by the local authority.
  • On average, private crematoriums charge 15% more than local authority-owned ones.
  • The cost of a cremation fee is on average £814.

Financial assistance for funeral costs

There are a number of ways you can get financial assistance for funeral costs if you find yourself in a difficult situation. 

Funeral Expenses Payment

You may be eligible for a Funeral Expense Payment if you claim certain benefits and need assistance to pay for a funeral you’re arranging. You can check your eligibility on the Government website here.

Children’s Funeral Fund

The Children’s Funeral Fund can help towards paying for the funeral of a child under 18 or a baby that is stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy. It isn’t means tested, but for this the funeral must take place in England. There’s also support in:

  • Wales – you can get £500 towards the cost of the funeral or other related expenses like floral tributes
  • Scotland – an average contribution of £1,000 towards reasonable funeral expenses
  • Northern Ireland – the same as Scotland

Pre-paid funeral plans

Pre-paid funeral plans are where a person pre-plans their wishes before they pass away and pays into a fund so their funeral or cremation is already covered in part or full when they die. 

Charity grants

In some circumstances, you may also be able to apply for charity grants to cover the cost of a funeral. For example, you can apply for a grant to cover a funeral through Friends of the Elderly. There are certain conditions and criteria – for example, you can only apply for one grant per household per year, which you can view here.

Crowdfunding

People crowdfund towards funerals and memorials every day, too. By doing this it means that anyone who wants to contribute who can – and can often help in unexpected circumstances too.

 Get the financial support you need

Funeral services and memorials can be expensive regardless of the option you choose. However, crowdfunding can help alleviate some financial burdens of the cost of funeral services and provide emotion

Start a funeral fundraiser

Written by GoFundMe