A woman from Merriott, Somerset, saved £5,000 by opting for a direct cremation for her late husband, with many others in the UK now making similar choices. Monica Hayden, 80, lost her husband, David Hayden, 86, in April 2023. He had expressed a desire for a simple cremation without a formal funeral service, a decision that Mrs. Hayden now views as a financially wise and emotionally fulfilling option.
After David’s passing, the couple’s family and friends gathered for a service in a church and a wake, which cost £2,000. This alternative celebration allowed attendees to honor David’s life, particularly acknowledging his contributions to the local youth football team he managed. “It was all just a service to celebrate the life that he’d led, all his life,” Mrs. Hayden said.
Impressed by the simplicity and lower cost of this approach, Mrs. Hayden has decided to follow suit for her own arrangements. She previously held a £6,700 funeral plan, but after learning about direct cremation, she contacted the funeral service for a refund. Her request was granted, allowing her to recover £5,000.
“I just don’t see what warrants all that thousands and thousands of pounds,” Mrs. Hayden stated. She noted that many of her friends are also choosing direct cremation. “My sister has, and so has my friend,” she explained. “She went in and said to the undertaker, ‘I don’t want a funeral now; I just want a direct cremation.’”
In her reflection on traditional funerals, Mrs. Hayden expressed dissatisfaction with the format. “I’ve lost some good friends as well, and just sit there and look at a coffin, and then the curtains get drawn at the crematorium. It’s all so… I don’t know what the word is, really, to describe it,” she shared. In contrast, she described her late husband’s service as a “happy day,” celebrating his kindness and generosity.
Research from Pure Cremation highlights a significant financial disparity in funeral costs across the UK. The average burial funeral is £6,065, whereas cremation costs an average of £4,232. The most expensive funeral director charges £4,485 for services alone, while the cheapest offers a basic service for £812.
Ian Atkinson, marketing director at Pure Cremation, emphasized the lack of transparency in funeral pricing. “Funeral directors will put a price range next to some items, and there will often be a list of extras—such as ‘additional miles’ charges—that make it impossible for families to work out costs in advance,” he noted. His organization’s report aims to provide families with a clearer understanding of funeral expenses, reducing the risk of hidden costs during a difficult time.
The rising cost of traditional funerals has led many bereaved families to seek alternative funding sources, including crowdfunding and loans. According to SunLife, the cost of a traditional attended funeral increased by 5.3% to £4,510 last year, marking the most significant annual rise since 2016. The average simple attended funeral now costs around £3,828, and when combined with memorial services, catering, and venue hire, total expenses can reach £5,140.
As funeral costs continue to rise due to increased cremation and burial fees, along with higher prices for coffins and living expenses, many families are feeling the financial strain. Approximately 15% report facing financial hardship when paying for a funeral, needing to find an additional £2,365 on average to cover the costs.
Monica Hayden’s story reflects a growing trend among families seeking more affordable and meaningful ways to honor their loved ones. By choosing direct cremation, she not only celebrated her husband’s life but also relieved herself of the financial burden often associated with traditional funeral services.
