Grieving families across the UK are being pushed towards crowdfunding platforms and unregulated lenders as the price of saying a final goodbye reaches a new, painful high. The latest annual Cost of Dying Report from SunLife reveals that the expense of a traditional funeral service has recorded its most significant annual increase in nearly a decade.
The Rising Price of Farewells
According to the report, the cost of a traditional funeral service surged by 5.3 per cent over the last year. This jump, the largest seen since 2016, pushed the average price to £4,510. When additional elements like a memorial, catering, and flowers are included, total spending on the average funeral rose to £5,140.
The report identifies a shift in consumer behaviour, with the simple attended funeral now the most common choice in Britain. This option, which includes core elements but fewer extras, costs an average of £3,828. The steep price rises are being driven by increased cremation and burial fees, higher costs for coffins, and broader increases in the cost of living.
Financial Hardship and Desperate Measures
The financial impact on families is severe. 15 per cent of families reported facing financial hardship when paying for a funeral, needing to find an extra £2,365 on average. To bridge this gap, many are resorting to measures that add further stress.
More than one in ten (12 per cent) of those in difficulty turned to crowdfunding to cover the costs. Alarmingly, 8 per cent reported borrowing money from an unregulated lender or loan shark, risking exploitative interest rates and further debt.
London remains the most expensive place in the UK to organise a funeral, with a simple attended service averaging £4,897. The charity Down to Earth, which runs a funeral costs support service, reported a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in people contacting its helpline in 2024/25.
The Importance of Planning and Alternatives
The research highlights a clear benefit to planning and communication. Those who knew some of the deceased’s funeral preferences saved an average of £335 compared to those who did not. Furthermore, 70 per cent of people make some form of provision for their funeral, such as savings, funeral plans, or life insurance. However, only 42 per cent save enough to cover the full cost.
There is also a growing trend towards more affordable options. Direct cremations, which cost an average of £1,628, are now chosen for 21 per cent of funerals. Notably, 86 per cent of those who opt for a direct cremation still hold a separate memorial or celebration of life, bringing their total average spending to £2,949.
Mark Screeton, chief executive of SunLife, urged people to have conversations about funeral wishes and finances. "Planning ahead means families can create a meaningful farewell without unnecessary stress or cost at an already difficult time," he said.
Lindesay Mace, co-manager of Down to Earth, emphasised the human cost: "The distress caused by struggling to pay for a funeral should not be underestimated. We see the devastating effects on people’s health and their ability to grieve daily." She called for government action to support bereaved people facing unaffordable costs.
