Under 20% of people make plans before death, study finds

Just one in five people (18%) have put a plan in place for their own funeral and ‘end of life’ celebration, according to Everest’s Dealing with Death report.

Based on a survey of 1,000 people in the UK who played a “significant role” in organising a funeral for a family member or close friend in the last eight – 24 months, Everest found almost two in five (39%) had to use their own money to cover the costs of a funeral as the deceased had not made provisions while alive.

More than a quarter (26%) of those who said the deceased had prepared some funding for their own funeral, were not able to access this money when they needed to settle bills and had to cover the costs out of their own pocket until money was released.

Meanwhile, more than a third (36%) of respondents found the cost of the funeral to be “greater than anticipated”. Everest’s data found that those who pre-arrange their own funeral through a provider (around 15%) reduce the financial impact on their loved ones.

In the UK, the average cost of a basic funeral is around £4,180. For a third (35%) of those polled by Everest, funeral director/ministerial fees were the most expensive element of planning a final farewell.

It also found for people who have had to recently organise the funeral arrangements and associated paperwork, there is a determination not to put their loved ones through the same experience as a result of their death.

Some two in three (66%) said they don’t want their funeral to be a burden for their loved ones and nearly three in five (57%) don’t want them to deal with financial challenges due to their funeral.

Mark Wood, chairman of Everest UK, said: “For most of us, organising a funeral will be a source of financial and emotional stress, with planning becoming a full-time job in the weeks between someone’s death and the funeral. People deserve more support.

“We know that providing price transparency, assistance with funeral service provider selection, and help to organise the whole service is hugely valued and something we are here in the UK to assist with. The practicalities of dealing with death cannot be allowed to crowd out the time to grieve.”

He added: “There is also a broader societal issue at play which prevents better preparation for when the inevitable happens. The reluctance to discuss death and funeral arrangements speaks to the ultimate taboo topic – our mortality. However, we know that those who make provisions and discuss their funeral wishes relieve the burden on the loved ones they leave behind. It’s time to scrap the euphemisms, look death squarely in the face and plan ahead, for the benefit of next of kin.”