11 Dec 2024

Paying for your burial or cremation

With the costs of funerals continuing to rise, you may be considering how you can help pay for your funeral in advance to save your loved ones unnecessary worry at what will already be a stressful time. With this in mind, we’ve worked out the average cost of cremation and burials so you can save precious time and understand the potential cost at a glance.

The UK average cost for a cremation in 2024 was £4,431 according to our 2024 funeral costs research. This cost covers the crematorium fee, minister's fee, funeral director's charges, as well as doctor's fees (not applicable in Scotland). Crematorium fees alone were an average cost of £1,106 in 2024 - a £79 increase compared to 2023.

The average cost of a direct cremation, which is a simple, no-frills cremation without a formal service is £1,557.

Cremations could cost less in normal hours on a workday, while evening and weekend cremations are likely to cost more. Cremation prices can vary regionally, too. 

The UK average cost for a burial in 2024 is £5,894 (compared to £4,431 for cremations). This includes the burial charges, such as buying and opening of a plot, the minister's fee and the funeral director's charges. The costs can vary widely depending on the service you require and also by region.

ee table above for increases in average UK burial and cremation costs in 2024

Protect your loved ones with Over 50 Life Insurance

If you are worried that you may not have enough funds to pay for your funeral costs when the time comes. It may be worth considering Over 50 Life Insurance to help towards those final expenses.

This type of life insurance will pay out a cash sum when you pass away for a fixed monthly premium. Premiums range from £5 to £75 a month depending on your age and smoker status.

Depending on your personal circumstances you could take out Over 50 Life Insurance with a cover amount up to £10,000 to help contribute towards your funeral costs.

You can apply if you're a UK resident, aged between 50 and 80. There is no medical required and you're guaranteed to be accepted.

You can get a quote online in two minutes by heading over to our dedicated Over 50s Life Insurance page.

Burial costs

UK burial prices are generally more expensive than cremation, with the main cost, in addition to the funeral director and the service, being the plot. This is actually made up of two costs – the fee for digging the grave and the Exclusive Right of Burial, which is payable to the owner of the cemetery. There may also be additional fees if the departed is not a resident of the local borough.

How to reduce the cost of a burial or cremation

Funeral costs have risen more then 30% in the last ten years. The average weighted funeral cost of £4,706 (for 2024) compares to £3,616 in 2014. If you're thinking about your own funeral, or planning a farewell to a loved one, there are lots of ways you can save on funeral costs. Find out more about how you can save on funeral costs. Take a look below at some some of the ways you can save money when arranging the funeral servce.

Low cost burial

  • You can reduce the costs by choosing a wicker or cardboard coffin rather than a traditional one.
  • You might also look into natural burial grounds, which can be a lot cheaper than a cemetery.

 

Low cost cremation

Some organisations offer what is called direct cremation. Unlike traditional cremations this eliminates much of the funeral director’s role and any memorial service.

The body is simply collected from the mortuary and cremated at the quietest time for the crematorium, with no preparation.

Including the cost of doctor’s certification, collection of ashes and other costs, the average weighted cost of direct cremation in the UK is approximately £1,557 in total. 

You can also save a lot of money by dispensing with the services of a funeral director, and making all the arrangements yourself.

Paying for your funeral

If you don’t have, or want to use money from your estate to pay for your funeral, you could consider alternatives such as funeral plans. Or you may wish to consider specialist insurance products like over 50 life insurance, which could pay out a cash sum on your death that loved ones could use to help contribute towards your funeral costs, unpaid bills or even to enjoy as a small gift when you’re gone. Funeral and burial expenses don’t always come cheap, but by preparing for these costs over the course of many years, you can ensure your loved ones are able to focus on what really matters on a difficult day.

Find out more about Over 50 Life Insurance.

Sources

Legal & General Research, 2024.

Find out more about our Over 50 Life Insurance

Meet our expert
Lisa Redman

Lisa Redman

Senior Propositions Manager, Retail Protection

Lisa works in UK Retail Protection Proposition Development team and is responsible for identifying and assessing new product and proposition enhancements to meet customer needs, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance ensuring all required governance is completed.

More about Lisa

Related articles

Senior couple looking at laptop

Funeral costs in the UK

Planning a funeral takes time and money. So to help you plan a funeral according to your budget, we’ve put together a simple guide to costs.
funeral arrangement FB

How to plan a funeral

Funeral preparation and planning can be a bit daunting as it's such a trying time. To help, we have put together a brief guide to making funeral arrangements.
Older couple reading a tablet together

How to pay for your funeral

Prepaid funeral plans allow you to set aside funds for a funeral in advance. But is it the best way to pay for your own funeral? Read more in our guide.
consumer - over 50s - IMAGES - Direct Cremation 730 x 411

What is a direct cremation?

Direct cremation is a simple, no-frills cremation without a formal service, and often with no mourners present. Read our guide to find out what happens.
Tombstones at Highgate cemetery

Tomb with a view: The best UK cemeteries to visit

Cemeteries are so much more than places for mourning. Discover our ranking of the UK's most loved cemeteries according to TripAdvisor.