Funeral costs are rising fast: here’s where to get help if you’re struggling with costs

The cost of a traditional funeral rose by 5.3% last year, the biggest annual increase since 2016, according to SunLife’s annual Cost of Dying report.

A simple funeral, without extras such as flowers or a memorial, now costs an average of £3,823. This is the most common type of funeral in the UK.

When additional elements like a memorial, venue hire, flowers and catering are included, the average cost rises to £5,140.

Why are funeral costs increasing?

Funeral costs are rising due to:

• higher cremation and burial fees
• increased coffin prices
• rising living and operating costs

Many families are struggling with the cost

According to the report:

• 15% of families struggled financially to pay for a funeral, needing to find an extra £2,365 on average
• 12% turned to crowdfunding to cover the cost
• 8% borrowed money from a loan shark or unregulated lender

Financial help if you’re struggling to pay for a funeral

You may be able to get a funeral expenses payment, also known as a funeral payment, if you’re arranging a funeral and receive certain benefits.

Benefits you must receive

You or your partner must be getting one or more of the following:

• universal credit
• income support
• income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• pension credit
• housing benefit

You may also be eligible if you receive a support for mortgage interest loan.

You can still apply if you’ve claimed these benefits and are waiting for a decision.

Your relationship with the person who died

You may qualify for a funeral expenses payment if you are:

• the partner of the deceased
• the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
• the parent or responsible adult of a child who died under 16, or under 20 if in approved education or training

You may not qualify if a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, is working or not receiving a qualifying benefit.

If you’re a close relative or friend

You might still be eligible if:

• the deceased did not have a partner
• the partner or parent of the deceased cannot apply, for example, they live abroad or are in prison

How to apply

You must apply within six months of the funeral. Applications are made on the government website.

Charities that offer funeral cost advice and support

Several charities offer free funeral cost advice and support:

• Quaker Social Action (Down to Earth) offers free, confidential support for anyone struggling with funeral costs, plus guidance on affordable funerals and government help.
• Turn2us provides support for the bereaved, including benefits advice and access to grants.
• MoneyHelper offers guidance on funeral costs and managing money after a bereavement.
• Child Funeral Charity can help with funeral costs for children under 18, stillborn babies and babies over 24 weeks’ gestation.
• Friends of the Elderly provides grants for low-income older people in England and Wales facing unexpected costs.
• National Bereavement Service (NBS) offers practical support and guidance. 

What happens if you can’t afford a funeral?

If there’s no money available and no one able to arrange the funeral, the local council or hospital can organise a public health funeral.

This usually applies if:

• there isn’t enough money in the estate
• there are no relatives or friends able to make arrangements

A public health funeral is typically a cremation. You can attend, but the council will decide the time and date.

The service is usually brief, and extras such as flowers, cars or newspaper notices are not included.