What is the average cost of a funeral?
Unfortunately everyone will sooner or later have to deal with the passing away of a loved one. Besides the personal loss, the costs of a funeral often come as a shock to many. The average cost of a funeral is often a lot higher than what people expect. On average, a funeral costs 7,622 pounds, which is 7.1% higher than last year. When you compare the costs now with those in 2004, it has increased by 80%! Due to this increase a lot of people struggle to afford the costs of a funeral.
What is included in the costs of a funeral?
Below there is a table of factors which make funerals so expensive. The table consists of averages.
| Cost category | Cost in £ |
| Funeral fees (funeral director / service) | 1,200 |
| Casket | 1,400 |
| Display in the funeral centre | 300 |
| Burial costs cemetery | 1,000 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Obituary in the newspaper | 400 |
| Flowers | 90 |
| Thank you cards | 200 |
| Memorial | 800 |
| Doctor's fees (for death certification) | 165 |
These are the most important expenses, often there are smaller expenses added too. The costs for the gravestone and the rent of the grave are not included in the list above.
What is more expensive, a cremation or a burial?
The average costs for a burial are often a little higher than that for a cremation. After the funeral, the expenses of a burial continue due to rent of the grave.
How can you reduce the costs of a funeral?
Below we have listed a couple of tips that can help reduce the costs of a funeral:
- Be flexible with the time of the funeral
- Ask friends and family to help out (with transport for instance)
- Make an online memorial instead of a physical one
- Buy the casket online or make one yourself
What was the most expensive funeral ever?
The most expensive funeral ever was that of Alexander the Great (323BC). His funeral is guessed to have costs more than 360 million pounds.
See besides average cost of a funeral also:
Average Cost of a Wedding