Funeral landscape changing as costs continue to rise

7^th January 2026
5 min read

PRESS RELEASE

• Funeral organisers are opting for more personalised and simple send-offs to combat rising costs
• The average cost of a simple attended funeral has reached £3,828
• The cost of a send-off, including items such as catering, memorial, flowers and order sheets, stands at £1,312
• 15% of families say they’ve faced financial hardship paying for a funeral, having to find an extra £2,365 on average
• London remains the most expensive place to die, with a simple attended funeral averaging £4,897
• Findings come from SunLife’s 2026 Cost of Dying Report^[1], the UK’s longest-running study into funeral prices

As the cost of dying continues to rise, driven by increased cremation and burial fees, higher coffin prices, and increased living costs, more families are opting for more personalised, straightforward funerals. The variety and flexibility now available to consumers may suggest the desire to cut costs when it comes to a loved one’s send-off.

As a result, SunLife’s latest Cost of Dying Report shows that a simple attended funeral is now the most common choice in the UK. This option includes the core elements of a traditional service but with fewer add-ons, costing an average of £3,828^[2].

When teamed with the average cost of a send-off (£1,312), covering memorials, catering, venue hire and flowers, the total average funeral spend rises to £5,140.

By comparison, a traditional attended funeral has climbed to £4,510, up 5.3% on last year and the biggest annual increase since 2016^[3]. Once the send-off costs are included, this brings the total spend to £5,822.

Simpler options help ease costs

Cost-cutting measures can range from choosing a more modest type of funeral, to simply discussing wishes with loved ones – something Brits are particularly bad at. The Cost of Dying Report found that those who knew some of the deceased’s funeral preferences were able to save an average of £335 on a send-off, versus those who didn’t know any of their preferences.

Meanwhile, direct cremations, are now chosen for around one in five funerals (21%). In the majority of cases, the deceased has requested or arranged the direct cremation in advance, rather than the organiser making the decision.

Direct cremations remain the most cost-effective option at £1,628, offering a simple alternative for those who are seeking a low-cost funeral without any loved ones in attendance.

However, 86% of those who opt for a direct cremation still choose to hold a memorial, wake or celebration of life to say goodbye, bringing their full spend to an average of £2,949.

Mark Screeton, CEO at SunLife, said: “Direct cremations are often chosen for affordability reasons, but prices vary, so it is worth shopping around. The flexibility to make changes to a plan and the location of the crematorium are also important factors for many, so do check these things when considering a direct cremation.”

One funeral director, interviewed as part of SunLife’s research, emphasised the importance of some kind of service: “I just think that as human beings, we have to process what we're going through. And I don't even like the word ‘process’, but we have to go through that.”

The growing popularity of the simple attended funeral reflects changing consumer behaviour as families prioritise personal touches over formality, opting for smaller, more meaningful services that still provide an opportunity to say goodbye.

Families feeling the financial strain

70% of people make some form of provision for their funeral to ease the burden on those left behind, such as savings, funeral plans, and life insurance. However, only 42% save enough to cover the full cost, leaving loved ones to bridge the gap.

For one in seven families (15%), paying for a funeral causes notable financial hardship. Those struggling needed to find an extra £2,365 to meet the full cost, with almost one in five (18%) saying it directly affected their standard of living, forcing them to cut back on essentials such as food, heating, or bills.

Among those experiencing financial difficulty, 70% see a negative impact on their mental health, and 58% experience an effect on their physical wellbeing.^[4]

Regional differences remain stark

The report shows wide regional variation for simple attended funerals. London is the priciest region, at £4,897, 28% higher than the national average. At the other end of the scale, Northern Ireland remains the most affordable at £3,105.

Mark Screeton, CEO at SunLife, said: “Funerals are a deeply personal experience, but our research shows that the cost of saying goodbye continues to rise faster than some families can afford.

“We are seeing more people turning to simple attended funerals, a modern middle ground between traditional and direct options, allowing families to celebrate their loved one’s life without overspending.

“Having conversations about both what we want for our funerals and how they will be paid for can make a real difference, emotionally and financially. Planning ahead means families can create a meaningful farewell without unnecessary stress or cost at an already difficult time.”

Notes

1. Research conducted by Critical Research between May and July 2025 with 100 funeral directors and 1,500 individuals who had organised a funeral in the past four years.
2. This is the first time SunLife has included the cost of a simple attended funeral as part of its Cost of Dying Report.
3. A traditional attended funeral is an expansion on a simple attended funeral with extras such as a limousine and a mid-range coffin.
4. Full report available at www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs.