How much does a funeral cost in the UK?

A simple attended funeral averages £3,828 and a traditional attended funeral £4,510, according to SunLife's Cost of Dying Report 2026. A direct cremation averages £1,628, a simple attended burial £4,758 and a traditional attended burial £5,440. These are guide prices, not quotes.

What is a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is an unattended cremation with no ceremony at the crematorium. Families can hold a separate memorial later, which keeps costs lower.

What's the difference between burial and cremation?

Burial places the body in a grave, which can be in a churchyard, cemetery or natural burial ground. Cremation reduces the body to ashes, which can be kept, buried or scattered.

Can I pay for a funeral in advance?

Yes. Pre-paid funeral plans let you lock in today's prices, and most regulated providers must follow Financial Conduct Authority rules since July 2022.

Funeral planning

Ceremony & farewell

Compare what different kinds of funeral include and what they may cost.

Average costs at a glance

UK average costs for different service types

What's included in each option

Typical inclusions vary by provider

Direct cremation

£1,628avg

SunLife 2026 UK average

Usually includes

Collection of the deceased
Simple coffin
Cremation fee
Return of ashes

Usually extra

Service or ceremony
Viewings
Hearse
Flowers

Simple attended funeral

£3,828avg

SunLife 2026 UK average (cremation)

Usually includes

Funeral director services
Basic coffin
Hearse
Simple service
Cremation or burial

Usually extra

Additional cars
Elaborate flowers
Catering
Order of service printing

Traditional attended funeral

£4,510avg

SunLife 2026 UK average (cremation)

Usually includes

Full funeral director service
Quality coffin
Hearse and limousine
Chapel service
Cremation or burial
Basic flowers

Usually extra

Wake venue
Catering
Memorial stone
Extra limousines

Simple attended burial

£4,758avg

SunLife 2026 UK average. Traditional attended burial averages £5,440

Usually includes

Funeral director services
Coffin
Hearse
Service
Burial plot (varies by location)
Interment fee

Usually extra

Headstone
Plot maintenance
Wake
Additional transport

Celebration of life

Varies

Cost depends on the venue, guests and arrangements.

Usually includes

Venue hire
Celebrant or speaker
Audio/visual equipment
Refreshments (varies)

Usually extra

Body present (often after cremation)
Traditional religious elements
Formal procession

What to ask for in a quote

Ask each provider for an itemised quote covering these, so you can compare like for like.

Funeral director's professional fee and what it covers
Collection and care of the person, including out-of-hours charges
Coffin type and price
Cremation or burial fee (crematorium or cemetery charge)
Burial plot and interment fee, if burying
Hearse and any extra cars
Celebrant, minister or officiant fee
Venue, music, flowers and printed orders of service
Anything that is optional, and its price, listed separately

UK averages from SunLife's Cost of Dying Report 2026. These are guide prices, not quotes; inclusions and local prices vary. Source

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