A Family Business

How much does a funeral cost – UK

How much does a funeral cost in the UK? We outline the average funeral costs and breakdown of funeral costs in the UK. O’Hara Funerals are an independent family run funeral directors in Dorset.

There are few people who would know how much does a funeral cost UK. Like many purchases in life, there are differences in the costs by town, area, region of the UK as well as by service and standard of funeral director. There is no one set type of funeral, there are many options to consider, there are more choices on funerals in the UK than ever before. Because of this there is no one average funeral costs.

So how much does a funeral cost uk? What are average funeral costs? How can I compare funeral costs uk? Should I ask for a breakdown of funeral costs? These are all good questions and ones we hope to answer below.

Why it is impossible to compare each funeral costs uk from each funeral director whether they be an independent family business like our own, a chain or national group some good guidance to these can be found at https://moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost . Funeral directors should not be compared on funeral costs uk alone and the average funeral costs is just a guide as the funeral you wish for your loved one may or may not cost as you would expect. The difference in service and standards of funeral directors can be vast. Considerations should be given to facility, turn out, services offered, quality of premises and vehicles, qualifications of staff, local knowledge, reviews from independent third parties. Visit our website to read our latest reviews from families we have cared for] and if you wish the funeral to be handled by a family business or a national chain (please be aware the name above many funeral homes is not the current or real owners of that business)

Average funeral costs

The best way I believe to compare funeral costs uk and average funeral costs is to speak with the funeral directors you are considering and even better still visit them to see the difference in both them as a business and the services you can offer. As a funeral director it is very important to be able to build a relationship with each family, to help build the funeral they wish to happen, and meet their expectations and our aim is always to see how we can use our many years of experience in making this even better.

All funeral directors should provide a breakdown of costs to show what their services cost and also what third party costs (disbursements) they will pay on your behalf. Average funeral costs have risen sharply in the last decade due to many factors some controlled by the funeral director and those that are not. The breakdown of funeral costs should be received before the funeral takes place and most funeral directors will ask you to sign an acceptance of these costs. Some will require a form of deposit towards the funeral costs uk.

Breakdown of funeral costs

What should be shown in the breakdown of funeral costs?

Each funeral director will break these down in different ways and some will be more detailed than others, but as a client I would expect to be able to see the following:

• Professional services
• Use of facilities
• Transportation
• Coffin
• Other services – such as printing, costs relating to the cremated remains

Also the disbursements should be itemised and you should expect to see:

• Crematorium or cemetery fee
• Fees for a church, minister or person officiating at service
• For cremation possible Doctors cremation certificate fee
• Newspaper announcements
• Flowers, catering, external printing
• Any other third-party cost not included within the funeral directors services

As each funeral directors funeral costs uk differ as will costs of many of the third-party costs. Crematorium costs are vastly different with a difference in the uk that can range by £500+. This is also the same for cemeteries where costs in large cities are often higher than in small towns and villages. Where you live will effect the cemetery costs also whether you wish to be buried in the parish or borough where you live or in one where you do not live as this is called resident or non-resident fees. An announcement in your local newspaper will again be different from that in a national. You can ask your funeral director for advice on all third-party costs before you commit to any of them.

Funeral directors who are members of a funeral trade body such as ourselves are obligated to offer a basic funeral to all families. This is usually below the average funeral cost uk as will be a more simpler service. There is also the option for direct cremation where there is no service at the crematorium and the cremation takes place in a quiet and simple way. For many though their expectation of a funeral is more traditional and personalised to match the wishes of the deceased and also those who remember them. Today, we find, it is more common that each funeral is bespoked to each families wishes, however some funeral directors only offer packages that may not fit your exact wishes and will upsell these to cover what you want and potentially services you do not also. We offer a full range of funerals and examples of our funeral costs can be found at https://www.oharafunerals.co.uk/advice-costs/

To help with the cost of a funeral uk many people have decided to purchase a funeral plan to cover the cost of a funeral uk. These we recommend should only be purchased through the funeral director you wish to use. Purchasing through a telesales person, online website or via a non-funeral organisation can often mean you are not getting freedom of choice on funeral type, funeral director and the guarantee your wishes will be carried out as you wished. Some more advice eon this can be found at https://telegraph.co.uk/financial-services/retirement-solutions/funeral-plans/average-cost-funerals-uk

We offer a full range of funeral plan products and have both the option of a set funeral plan or where the plan can be bespoked to a person’s exact wishes. Details of our funeral plans can be found here https://www.oharafunerals.co.uk/funerals/pre-paid-funeral-plans/ and you will be able to download our latest funeral plan brochure or if you prefer contact us and we can send one to you as you wish.