Planning a funeral

Confused by funeral costs?

Trying to find out how much a funeral costs, especially at what is often an emotional time, can be difficult.

Costs can vary depending on what you’d like and funeral

directors often present their costs publicly in different ways,

if at all, making it difficult to compare like-for-like costs. This

article aims to give an understanding of how to work out the rough cost, and what options are available when it comes to

paying for a funeral.

Funeral costs

According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2022* the

average cost of a funeral in 2021 was £4,056. A funeral is

usually split into two areas: 1) Costs payable to the funeral director, known as professional

services 2) Disbursements – payments to third parties such as

officiants and doctors etc on your behalf

There is a funeral that is growing in popularity, due to its

low cost; the unattended funeral or “direct cremation”. This

is a funeral without a service utilising an early slot at a local

crematorium or in some cases a private crematorium.

Every funeral is unique and the cost of an attended funeral

will depend on the options chosen for the service including: J Whether you’re considering burial or cremation

J The coffin

J Floral tributes J Limousines J Funeral notice/obituary

J A funeral tea/wake

Some funeral directors offer set prices and options, however,

these don’t always include everything you’d expect resulting

in hidden charges. We’d suggest contacting local, trusted

funeral directors for a quote. Getting like-for-like quotes

ensures you don’t receive prices for very different services.

Paying for a Funeral

You may be asked for a deposit or the whole funeral to be paid

upfront or, like us, they may pay for everything on your behalf.

A final bill is issued within 14 days of the funeral taking place.

It may be an option to pay by instalments if you discuss with

your funeral director.

Most banks and building societies will, upon receipt of the bill

and copy of the Death Certificate, pay the bill directly from the

deceased’s account rather than waiting for it to be paid from

the estate.

You may be entitled to Government support (a Funeral Expenses Payment) if you meet certain criteria. However the

payment won’t cover all costs, and how much you receive will

depend on your circumstances.

Some grants are available for certain professions, if the

deceased person worked in a trade or industry for two years

or more. Speak to the HR department for more information. n

* www.sunlife.co.uk/siteassets/documents/cost-of-dying/cost-of-dying-report.pdf/

Kelly Bowsher is the the first female funeral director, and soon to be family member, at Tom Owen and Son – an award-winning, family run, independent community Funeral Director situated in the beautiful setting of Llandudno. As Funeral Directors based in Llandudno for over 90 years, they have a wealth of experience and have been serving the local and neighbouring communities for many years. For more information, please get in touch with one of the team by calling 01492 860 280 or visit www.tomowenandson.com/ help-advice/financial-advice