Paying for a funeral

A funeral can cost thousands of pounds, so it's important to know how much things cost and how you will pay for it. Try not to feel pressured into paying for a funeral you cannot afford. It's important you do not arrange a funeral that will be hard to pay for later.

How much does a funeral cost?

The average cost of a basic funeral in the UK is £3,953*. This includes the cremation or burial, funeral director, doctor, and minister or celebrant. Burials are usually more expensive than cremations, although you do not have to arrange and pay for a headstone immediately. People normally wait at least six months after the burial to allow time for the ground to settle.

Total funeral costs

Funeral costs vary depending on where you live in the UK . The amounts below are approximate, average costs across the UK. They are based on a 2023 report and actual costs may vary*.

Breakdown of some cremation and burial costs 

Funeral director fees will often include a coffin, hearse, collection and care of the deceased, and professional guidance.

Send-off costs

Send-off costs include:

• memorial service
• catering for the wake (the reception after the funeral)
• venue hire for the wake
• flowers
• order of service sheets
• death notice or obituary
• notice announcing the time and place of the funeral
• limousines or vehicles.

The most expensive item is usually the memorial service. Depending on the venue and whether you use a catering company, the next most expensive item is likely to be the wake.

Read more about organising a funeral and arranging a ceremony.

Pre-paid funeral plans

The person who died may have had a pre-paid funeral plan, insurance or other money set aside. You can check in the funeral plan, or on the insurance schedule, what it covers. Some plans do not cover certain items such as flowers, catering for the wake (the reception after the service) or a headstone.

Budget funerals

There are good reasons why you might decide to have a budget funeral.

It could be because you're worried about being able to pay for the funeral. But it could also be because you think there are more important ways of spending the money. Or you think that some aspects of a funeral are more expensive than they should be. So, you want to avoid paying more for some things (like flowers, for example) because they're priced as funeral flowers.

Choosing to have a budget funeral is not a reflection of the person who died or of how important they were to you.

Read our blog How to organise a budget funeral.

Paying from the person's bank account

Most large banks and building societies will release funds from the person's account to pay the funeral bill, if you show or send them a certified copy of the death certificate. Some banks and building societies will have bereavement staff to support you with this.

It's important to make sure that the person had enough money to pay for it. This is because funeral costs usually come out of the person's estate and need to be paid after some debts and bequests (gifts) are sorted out. The person's estate is any property, money or possessions. If there is not enough money to cover the costs, the organiser of the funeral must meet the difference.

Read about what to do if there is not enough money to pay for the funeral.

Unless a person's estate is quite small, you cannot access the funds from it until probate (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or confirmation of the estate (Scotland) is granted. This can take several months.

Funeral Expenses Payment from the government

If you're organising a funeral and you're on benefits, you may be entitled to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment (or Funeral Support Payment in Scotland) from the government towards the funeral costs. You must apply within six months of the funeral.

Find out about claiming the Funeral Expenses Payment (Funeral Support Payment in Scotland).

Funeral Expenses Payments are different to Bereavement Support Payments which can also be used to help with funeral costs.

Read about Bereavement Support Payments.

When do funeral costs need to be paid?

Some funeral directors ask for a deposit to cover third-party costs payable in advance of the funeral (disbursements). The final bill is usually sent soon after the funeral. A funeral director may agree to accept payment by instalments, but you should check with them first.

If there is not enough money to pay for a funeral

If it’s not possible to pay for the funeral from the estate of the person who died, family and friends are usually expected to pay for it.

Read more about the different ways that you may be able to get help with funeral costs.

And Quaker Social Action   has a funeral costs helpline as well as more information.

Other things to consider include:

• A funeral director may agree to accept payment by instalments.
• There are a few charities that will help with funeral expenses, such as the Child Funeral Charity   and Friends of the Elderly  .

If you're struggling to pay for the funeral or your only source of money is a Funeral Expenses Payment, tell the funeral director before you commit to any arrangements. They can advise you.

Public health funerals 

If someone dies without enough money for a funeral and there is no one to take responsibility who is able to pay for it, the local authority must bury or cremate them. It's called a 'public health funeral' and includes a coffin and a funeral director to transport them to the crematorium or cemetery.

Getting support 

You may want to read our pages about grief and getting support for grief.

If you would like to speak to someone about your feelings, or about any practical worries you have after someone has died, you can contact the Marie Curie Support Line for free on 0800 090 2309.

* Some of the costs on this page are based on the 2023 Cost of Dying report from Sunlife, an insurance and funeral plan company. Marie Curie has no affiliation with Sunlife.

back to top

Useful websites 

GOV.UK   (Funeral Expenses Payment)

mygov.scot  (Funeral Support Payment)

The Good Funeral Guide  

Quaker Social Action