Funeral costs fall for the first time in 18 years, study finds
The cost of living has risen by 4.6%, whilst the cost of dying has fallen by 4.3%.
The price of a funeral has fallen for the first time in 18 years, according to SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report.
For the past few years, direct cremations, which are more affordable, have become more popular. In the last year, the number of funerals that were direct cremations rose by 18%.
However, the average cost of a funeral is now £4k and the total cost (when the professional fees and send-off costs are added to the funeral price) is £9k.
The research also found the cost of living has risen by 4.6%, whilst the cost of dying has fallen by 4.3%.
Despite the first-ever year-on-year decrease in costs, funerals are still a third more expensive than they were a decade ago – and in some regions, this price is still rising.
Mark Screeton, SunLife’s CEO said: “This year’s Cost of Dying figures are quite different from any other year. For the first time we have seen funeral costs fall, with the average costs of basic funerals, amount spent on the send-off and professional fees all coming down.
“However, the picture across the country is more varied than we have ever seen too, with some regions seeing sizable increases in the average cost of a funeral, while others have seen quite significant drops.”
He added: “Funerals are still relatively expensive, and half of people arranging a funeral in the last year looked for ways to keep funeral costs down – including choosing a cheaper coffin, spending less on flowers and having the wake at home.”
