URGENT UPDATE: Families across the UK are increasingly relying on loan sharks and crowdfunding platforms to cover soaring funeral costs, which have surged to their highest levels since 2016. The latest Cost of Dying report, published by SunLife, reveals the average expense for a traditional attended funeral has jumped 5.3% to £4,510 in the past year, highlighting a troubling trend for families already grappling with financial pressures.
The findings, released just this week, indicate that costs have risen significantly due to increasing prices for coffins, burial and cremation services, as well as staffing and energy expenses. Since 2004, traditional funeral costs have skyrocketed by 146%, far exceeding inflation rates. In fact, had costs matched inflation, the increase would have only been 82%.
Among the most affected are families facing the stark reality of funeral expenses. Currently, 15% of families report financial strain related to these costs, turning to credit cards, installment plans, and even selling personal belongings to cover expenses. Alarmingly, reports of individuals resorting to crowdfunding have doubled from 6% to 12% over recent years, with 8% of families admitting to using loan sharks for the first time, according to this year’s findings.
The report also highlights a significant shift in funeral preferences. Direct cremations—where deceased individuals are taken to the crematorium without attendees—have surged in popularity, now accounting for 21% of all funerals, a drastic increase from just 3% in 2019. Despite this, 86% of those choosing direct cremation still hold a wake or similar memorial, pushing the average cost to £2,949.
While 70% of people make some provisions for their funerals, only 42% have adequately planned to cover the full costs, leaving family members to shoulder the remaining financial burdens.
Mark Screeton, chief executive of SunLife, stated,
“Our research shows that the cost of saying goodbye continues to rise faster than some families can afford.”
He emphasized the importance of planning ahead to alleviate stress during these challenging times.
Lindesay Mace, co-manager of funeral poverty charity Down to Earth, echoed these sentiments, stating,
“The distress caused by struggling to pay for a funeral should not be underestimated.”
Mace noted a 20% increase in demand for their helpline services in the 2024/25 period, highlighting the emotional toll that financial hardship can take on grieving families.
As costs continue to escalate, the urgent need for affordable funeral options and financial support becomes increasingly critical. Families are urged to consider pre-planning and exploring available resources to ensure that they can provide a dignified farewell without undue financial strain.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops, and share this information to help raise awareness of the growing financial burden of funeral costs in the UK.
